Increases were also noted in Africa up USD 1.9 billion from 2014 to USD 18.2 billion while those to Latin America and Oceania increased by USD 81 million and USD 133 million respectively. This is more than a threefold increase compared to the 2002-05 baseline average. Regional aid for trade offers great potential as a catalyst for growth, development and poverty reduction, but projects are often difficult to realise. While regional aid for trade faces many practical implementation challenges, however, experience has shown that associated problems are not insurmountable, but rather require thorough planning, careful project formulation and prioritisation on the part of policy makers (OECD, 2014).