What are the characteristics of current intra-Commonwealth trade, and how can it be encouraged to grow? Trading on Commonwealth Ties identifies opportunities for stimulating trade within the Commonwealth, but warns against setting up a free trade agreement across the member states.

Acronyms and abbreviations Summary 1. Introduction 1.1 Context 1.2 Objectives of the Study 1.3 Outline of the Report 2. Analysis of Intra-Commonwealth Trade Flows 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Volume and Direction of Commonwealth Countries' Trade 2.3 Evolution of Intra-Commonwealth Trade 2.4 Composition of Trade 2.5 Summary Conclusions 3. Trade Policy Relations within the Commonwealth 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The WTO and Multilateral Commitments 3.3 Regional Trade Groupings 3.4 Non-Reciprocal Preferential Schemes 3.5 Other Bilateral and Preferential Arrangements 3.6 Summary Conclusions 4. Barriers to Intra-Commonwealth Trade 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Market Access Conditions 4.3 Domestic Policy Barriers to Exporting 4.4 Other Domestic Barriers to Exporting 4.5 Other International Barriers to Exporting 4.6 Summary Conclusions 5. Trade Potential among Commonwealth Members 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Modelling Approach 5.3 Comparison of Actual and Potential Trade 5.4 Summary Conclusions 6. Policy Options and Recommendations for Promoting Intra-Commonwealth Trade 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Extending Preferential Trade Policies in the Commonwealth 6.3 Trade Facilitation within the Commonwealth 6.4 The Commonwealth and Trade Policy Capacity Building 6.5 Summary Conclusions 7. Summary Conclusions References Appendices