Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least-Developed Countries

In October 1997, a High-Level Meeting on Integrated Initiatives for Least-Developed Countries' Trade Development was organized by IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, World Bank and WTO. A major outcome was the establishment of the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least-Developed Countries as a mechanism to co-ordinate trade-related technical assistance to the 48 least-developed countries (LDCs), so designated by the United Nations.

The aim of the Framework is to ensure that technical assistance activities are demand-driven and that the process is "owned" by the LDCs. It also focuses on maximising the benefits that LDCs derive from trade-related technical assistance from participating agencies, as well as from other multilateral, regional and bilateral sources. The principal objectives of the Framework are to assist LDCs to expand their trade opportunities, to respond to market demands, and to become more closely integrated into the multilateral trading system.

In its 1998 report, the Committee on Trade and Development noted that since the establishment of the Framework, the WTO has engaged in a range of trade-related technical assistance activities, some in collaboration with other agencies.

• National seminars: the WTO has organized 18 national seminars (Cambodia, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sudan and Zambia). Of those, three national seminars were undertaken with the participation of ITC (Chad, Madagascar and Rwanda) and two with UNDP (Djibouti and Niger).
• Regional seminars: One regional seminar for English-speaking African LDCs was held in June 1998 (in Zambia), with the participation of ITC. Also in 1998, two other LDC-specific regional seminars were organized; one for Francophone LDCs in Djibouti and the other for Asian and Pacific LDCs in Bangladesh.
• In addition, 17 regional seminars have been held in which LDCs’ officials, academics and private sector representatives participated. Four regional seminars on the multilateral trading system were co-hosted by the World Bank. Thirteen of the seminars focussed on specific subjects, especially services, dispute settlement, market access, trade and environment, TBT, and TRIPS.
• Short trade policy course: The first "short trade policy course" for Anglophone LDCs was held in Geneva in May 1998, and for Francophone LDCs in Turin (Italy) in October 1998.
• Technical missions: Sixteen technical missions have been carried out to help LDCs to implement their WTO obligations. Specific areas included notification obligations, adaptation of internal legislation to WTO disciplines and assistance in accession to the WTO.
• Establishing modern data processing facilities: the WTO Secretariat has begun a programme to install computers and Internet links in the trade or commerce ministries of all LDCs. By August 1999, “Reference Centres” had been installed in 38 LDCs and 27non-LDC capitals in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East.

By November 1998, other activities since the High Level Meeting included

• The completion by 40 LDCs of needs assessments for trade-related technical assistance in response to which the six agencies have prepared 39 integrated responses containing commitments to provide technical assistance
• Dissemination of information on trade-sector donor meetings (round-tables or consultative group meetings) requested by a number of LDCs
• Dissemination of information on the implementation of the WTO's technical assistance commitments in the integrated responses.
• The establishment of an Integrated Framework website on the Internet: http//www.ldcs.org.

Further to announcements made at the HLM regarding preferential market access measures for LDCs, five Members (The European Communities, Switzerland, Canada, Turkey and Egypt) have notified details of these measures.

Informal consultations have been initiated with all interested delegations on the issue of an appropriate legal accommodation under WTO provisions for autonomous improvements in market access in favour of the LDCs by developing countries.