TradeUpgrader is an international consulting firm dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of developing countries in the global economy. We offer policy development for national governments, think tanks and major international agencies; the creation and diffusion of knowledge products; and capacity building workshops for public and private stakeholders. TradeUpgrader has its origins in the Duke Global Value Chain Center directed by Dr. Gary Gereffi. Founders - Penny Bamber and Karina Fernandez-Stark - both worked at the Center for over a decade. They continue to actively collaborate with the Global Value Chain network initiative, which brings together experts from Duke GVC Center and international scholars around the world. Participation in this network provides TradeUpgrader with access to the best global minds on issues of international trade and competitiveness. We have expertise in a wide range of industries from agriculture, extractive sectors, high tech manufacturing, to services. We have worked in Africa, Asia and the Americas, with countries of differing levels of development, from Burundi and Honduras to Pakistan, Kazakhstan, China, Chile and South Korea. We have experience working with policy makers in areas of trade and competitiveness, innovation and Industry 4.0, promotion of SMEs, gender issues and skills development.
