He argues in favour of policies
that promote increased connectivity with the world across
the board, favouring all companies, rather than assistance
to specific sectors and the politically powerful. Vera
Thorstensen takes a sceptical view of the proliferation of
private standards, which carry some benefits (as many are
market-driven) but also the risk of distortions, arbitrariness
and new impediments to trade. Finally, Alex Manson argues
that there are unintended adverse consequences from the
higher prudential and conduct regulation of banks in the
wake of the financial crisis. He highlights in particular the
increased cost of trade finance and the heightened risk of
financial exclusion, and advocates that they be addressed
through collaboration between policy-makers and the
banking sector.