WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/C/W/110/Add.7
24 June 1999
(99-2600)
Council for Trade in Services
Special Session on Telecommunications ServicesOriginal:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM THE WORLD BANK GROUP
Technical Assistance, Telecommunications Reform and the WTO
Activities of the World Bank Group1
Addendum
POLICY AND WORK STRATEGY
1. In pursuing its mission of poverty alleviation, the World Bank Group focuses on the
opportunities of the information age for developing countries and economies in transition, with the
objective of fostering growth and competitiveness and extending the sphere of economic activity toexcluded groups. Specifically, the World Bank Group:
(a) supports efforts to build public institutions' capacity to conceive and implement both
the policies for information-based economic activities, and the infrastructure
(physical and human) to support them;
(b) extends access to information and communications by those who are denied or cannot
afford them, with a special focus on the poor and those living in rural areas;
(c) mobilizes resources and expertise, primarily from the private sector, for the
information infrastructure in general, and telecommunications in particular.
I. POLICIES
A. S
COPE
2. The World Bank Group supports efforts by governments to develop information-based
economic activities and the required information infrastructure.
3. These efforts involve: the development of sector policies, with a view to make them more
responsive to coherent national development priorities; support to the provision of new
communication services, including mobile voice telephony and Internet, which can compensate for
the inadequacies of existing networks; and the policy setting process that requires interaction with a
much wider range of public and private stakeholders.
                                                     
1This paper has been prepared by a joint team drawn from the Telecommunications and Informatics
Unit (EMTTI), and Information for Development Program, infoDev (EMTIN). For further information please
contact Carlos P. Braga (EMTIN) and Emmanuel Forestier (EMTTI).S/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 2
B. LIBERALIZATION AND PRIVATE PARTICIPATION
4. In the area of telecommunications sector reform, the World Bank Group supports programs to
dismantle monopolies and promotes efficiency a nd customer choice through new entries and
increased private participation.
5. Governments can accelerate new entry, for example by encouraging the development of
competing national networks from the existing communications facilities related to different utilities
(e.g. railways and energy). Also, governments may make licensing easier, more predictable and
enforceable, may allocate frequency for new operators and rule on interconnection procedures with a
view to foster competition.
6. The World Bank Group also supports the development of appropriate regulatory
arrangements and capacity. Special emphasis is given to efficient allocation and management of radio
spectrum, given the potential for wireless technologies to act as a substitute for obsolete or lackingfixed networks.
C. A
CCESS
7. In developing countries, the effects of limited access can be especially negative for:
(a) poor communities;
(b) regions such as rural areas, which have penetration rates much lower than the national
rates;
(c) fixed line subscribers, who cannot afford to pay commercial tariffs for a better
service.
8. Where possible, the World Bank Group supports new solutions, such as differentiated tariff
structures for services of different quality in a li beral tariff environment. This entails the need for
specific strategies to improve access, through the involvement of the private sector in management
and financing.
9. The overall emphasis is on finding commercial solutions to increase access by rural and urban
poor. As communal rather than individual access may be a preferred solution in many instances, the
World Bank Group promotes the development of regulatory rules that may encourage the provision ofsuch services and the active involvement of the affected communities.
D. T
ARIFFS AND SUBSIDIES
10. In the area of tariffs, the World Bank Group encourages a larger use of cost-based retail tariffs
by existing fixed operators, balanced when necessary by special arrangements for the groups whose
access is threatened by new regimes, and liberal tariff regimes in a competitive sector structure for all
new service providers.
11. Special attention is paid to interconnection rates in cases where dominant operators may fight
the emergence of competing players. Special mechan isms (for example, involving subsidies) may be
supported to facilitate access by communities that would otherwise be disadvantaged. However, any
such subsidies must be competition-neutral, must enhance rather than displace the private-led
provision of service, must effectively reach their intended beneficiaries, must be transparent and
sustainable.S/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 3
E. MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES
12. The World Bank Group encourages private investment in the area of development and
implementation of commercial transactions (privatization and new licenses) designed to support
overall sector policies.
13. For basic voice telephony, significant tariff re-balancing is often required to attract
investments at the level needed to modernize networks. Resources can flow in most efficiently if
services are unbundled, new entry and tariff setting are liberalized, and pro-competition
interconnection arrangements are enforced. This is of special significance in instances where growth
is constrained by poor interconnection arrangements, the environment for private sector development
is weak, and national fixed networks are obsolete.
14. Any public financial intervention should be designed to leverage private investment (for
example, through appropriate risk sharing arrangements) and should be directed to areas ofdevelopment otherwise unattractive for private financing. These may include high-risk countries and
high-risk areas or market segments within countries (e.g., rural communications). Public financing
may also be used to set-up strategic information systems administered by the public sector (for
instance, systems for public sector financial management, public registries, and databases), and
structures for the delivery of public services such as health and education.
II. WORK STRATEGY
15. Lately the World Bank Group is facing increased demand for operational and advisory
support in the telecommunications sector. In response, the World Bank has changed the focus and
nature of the support it provides to the sector: the Telecommunications and Informatics Unit now
reflects the new telecommunications policy and the increasing emphasis on the role of information indevelopment; closer working arrangements with the IFC's telecommunications division have
improved World Bank Group coordination;  the Information for Development ( infoDev) Program has
been established in 1995 as a new grant facility managed by the World Bank and dedicated solely to
information and communication technology-related activities. infoDev operates as a clearinghouse for
20 external donors and represents a valuable addition to the World Bank’ s traditional range offinancial instruments.
16. Among the several recent external developments that have led the World Bank Group to pay
renewed attention to the sector:
(a) telecommunications and information infrastructure have become key drivers of
growth and competitiveness, and instruments of inclusion and economic integration;
(b) the problems related to the implementation of telecommunications reforms in
developing regions are better understood. So is the focus of our developmentpartners. This facilitates the process of identifying the key development interventions
in which the World Bank Group has a comparative advantage;
(c) new partnerships have been developed with the private sector and leading
international organizations.S/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 4
A. OVERALL STRATEGY
17. Four strategic areas have been identified:
(a) broadening access  to information and communications by regions, communities and
individuals not adequately served at present;
(b) mobilization of resources , primarily from the private sector;
(c) policy making  relative to information society issues in general and, in particular,
relative to the telecommunications sector, and development of regulatory capacity ;
(d) support to the development of key strategic information systems .
B. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE IN SUPPORT OF THE STRATEGY
18. The main areas of intervention are Sector Reform (this includes issues related to market
structure and competition policy); Privatization; Regulatory Framework and Licensing; Institutional
Design and Capacity Building; Institutiona l Launch; Computerization; Radio Spectrum
Equipment/Training.
The World Bank Group's efforts in these areas are summarized below:
Structural or
Sectoral
Adjustment
OperationSector
Investment
LoanTechnical
Assistance Economic
and Sector
WorkGuarantee infoDev &
other Trust
FundsIFC (1) MIGA (2)
 Awareness-
raising, dialogue √√ √ √ (3) √(3)
Policy changes √√ √√
Capacitybuilding (4)
√√√√
Resourcemobilization (5)
√√ √ √
Strategicinformationsystems
√√ √ √ (6)
Pilot projects √√
(1) IFC has a range of loan, equity, and guarantee financial instruments. In certain circumstances it makes pre-privatization e quity
investments in telecommunications operators. It also provides financial advisory services.(2) MIGA guarantees cover risks of transfer restriction, expropriation, breach of contract, war and civil disturbance for quali fied
investments in developing member countries.
(3) On issues associated with private investment in the sector
(4) Capacity on policy formulation and implementation, regulation,  and designing and implementing transactions to attract inves tment
(5) Group financing to come in the first instance from IFC and MIGA. IBRD/IDA as financier of last resort in the context of anappropriately dimensioned partnership between the public and private sectors in higher risk environments. Guarantees are prefer red to
loans/credits.
(6) Where the strategic information system is private sector-ledS/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 5
19. Through Technical Assistance and Economic and Sector Work instruments, as well as via
infoDev grants, the World Bank supports awareness-raising activities, policy dialogue and advice,
development of regulatory capacity, and assistance in the design and implementation of transactions
designed to promote competition and attract private investment.
20. Investment financing currently comes in the first instance from IFC. The International
Finance Corporation may also advise on the impact  of policy and regulatory arrangements, and on
prospects for attracting investment.
21. IBRD/IDA's investment financing may be used when it is clearly required to catalyze
privately led solutions.
C. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON REGULATORY REFORMS
22. Typically the World Bank assistance on telecommunications regulatory reform is part of a
larger project related to telecommunications sector development, multi-sectoral parastatal reform, ormulti-sectoral capacity building. Examples of activities supported through World Bank’s Technical
Assistance follow:
(a) Development of sector reform policies and plans;
(b) Development of modern communications legislation which (among other items)
establishes a regulatory agency;
(c) Development of regulatory frameworks and detailed licenses for telecom operators;
(d) Development of sectoral competition policy and assistance with implementation of
new entry;
(e) Development of guidelines for network interconnection (sometimes in the form of
default interconnection agreement);
(f) Development of price re-balancing and price control arrangements;
(g) Development of universal service policies, plans, and network “roll-out” obligations;
(h) Design and implementation of plans to modernize radio-spectrum management;
(i) Advisory services, training and other form of capacity building for regulatory
agencies;
(j) Development of agendas, procedural processes and rules, and organization structures
for regulatory agencies;
(k) Support to multilateral liberalization efforts and compliance with the WTO’s
Reference Paper.
D. 
INFO DEV GRANTS
23. Technical assistance on regulatory issues is also provided through infoDev grants. The
Information for Development Program  (infoDev) is a global grant facility funded by public and
private donors and managed by the World Bank.S/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 6
24. infoDev activities include sharing world-wide experiences on the economic development
potential of communications and information systems. infoDev disseminates best practices to
governments and to public and private key decision-makers. It also channels to governments in
developing economies policy advice and other technical assistance regarding privatization, private
entry and competition in the communications and information sector, as well as on the improvementof policy, regulatory and business environment for investment.
25. In partnership with the ITU, infoDev has supported several consensus building initiatives
associated with regulatory reform
1. infoDev-sponsored activities directly related to the WTO are
described in the section below.
                                                     
1For details see www.worldbank.org/infodev  and www.regulate.orgS/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 7
EXAMPLES OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RELATED TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS
REGULATORY ISSUES
Telecommunications Sector Reform Projects: Portfolio and Pipeline
1. The following list is indicative of telecommunications sector reform projects. It is not
intended  to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all projects in all countries, but rather isintended to provide some relevant examples.
Cameroon - Privatization and Regulatory Capacity Building Project
Amount: 12.6 million. Scheduled to be approved in January 2000.
2. The telecommunications component of this project concerns the separation of the policy,
regulatory and operational functions in the postal and telecommunications sector.
3. This entails the creation of three corporate entities, Camtel (new multi-service operator,
excluding mobile services), Camtel-Mobile (new mobile service operator), and Camtel-Poste. The
current provider of international services, Intelcam , will be incorporated into Camtel. Therefore the
project provides Technical Assistance for the preparation of the first private cellular license and the
privatization of Camtel and Camtel-mobile. In addition the project will support the creation of a new
regulatory agency, ART, including capacity building, and the development of a modern regulatory
framework, including licenses for the new operators.
Gabon - Privatization and Regulatory Capa city Building Technical Assistance Project
Amount: $10 million. Approved in June 1997; scheduled to terminate in December 1999.
4. The objective of the project is to increase the level of private sector investment in Gabon. The
program calls for (a) facilitating rapid divestiture from state enterprises with major spin-off effects onfactor costs and employment, in transport, power, telecommunications, and the largest agro-
businesses; and (b) improving the efficiency of state spending in core areas directly aimed at poverty
reduction.
Uganda - Enterprise Development Project
Amount: $5 million. Approved in September 1998; scheduled to terminate in December 1999.
5. This is a component of a larger project for the development of the private sector and public
enterprise. Under the telecommunication component, technical assistance is provided for (a)
assistance to the restructuration of Uganda Posts and Telecommunication Corporation (UPTC); (b)
privatization of UPTC's telecom operations; (c) authorization of a second national operator for the
provision of local, national long distance, international, and cellular mobile telephone services
development of detailed licenses for both the new Uganda Telecommunications Ltd and the secondnational operator; and (d) establishment of, and capacity building for the Uganda Communications
Commission.
Mali - Telecommunications Sector Reform
Amount: 7.5 million. Scheduled to be approved in October1999.
6. The project will (a) increase access to telecommunications; (b) widen the range of services;
(c) improve the quality of services; (d) introduce cost-based tariffs; and (e) accelerate the deployment
of new and cost effective technologies relevant to Mali’s needs through, inter alia, implementing a
new legal and regulatory framework enabling a multi-operator environment attracting private capital
to the main telecommunications operator initially through a strategic sale, preparation of a strategy forS/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 8
delivering of information access and related services to rural and disadvantaged communities and
establishing the necessary institutions to carry out the telecommunications reforms efficiently and
transparently, as well as ensuring that adequate capacity is built for other utility reforms and
privatization.
Malawi - Privatization and Utility Reform
Amount: 10 million. Scheduled to be approved in April 2000.
7. The project will support the Government of Malawi’s efforts to increase coverage of and
improve service delivery in key utility sectors by increasing private participation in infrastructure.
8. The telecommunications component will support (a) the elaboration of key policy
considerations (including tariffs and interconnection, exclusivity periods, labour issues); (b) the
establishment of a plan to strengthen the posta l service following its split from telecommunications
(on which it is currently dependent through cross-subsidies); (c) the establishment, in cooperationwith the Danish Development Aid Agency DANIDA, of adequate regulatory arrangements for the
sector; (d) the setting-up of a plan to improve rural communications (posts and telecommunications),
including possible IDA assistance for a private-led solution to the problem of provision of services in
rural areas.
Niger - Privatization and Regulatory Reform Technical Assistance Project
Amount: $18.6 million. Approved in September 1998, scheduled to terminate in December 2001.
9. The project will increase the operational and financial performance of the public enterprise
sector and of selected utilities through privatization of assets and private sector participation in
infrastructure. Through the development of an effective policy and regulatory framework, this willhelp Niger improve access and quality of services in telecommunications, water, and electricity.
Indonesia - Telecom Sector Modernization Project
Amount: $8 million. Approved in June 1995; scheduled to terminate in June 2001.
10. This is the technical assistance component of a project in support of the modernization and
expansion of the telecommunications network in Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara. The reforms include:
(a) restructuring of PT TELKOM into four Regional organizations and a national network
organization supported by a small corporate office; (b) setting up joint ventures between foreign
telecommunications operators and PT TELCOM; and (c) establishing a new company, independent of
PT TELKOM, with private sector equity financing and participation of an experienced foreign
operator, to provide wireless-based telecommunications services.
11. The two key initiatives are: (a) establishment of a new, competitive, domestic wireless-based
telecom service provider with foreign operator participation; and (b) transformation of the present
monopoly provider (PT TELKOM) into four regional operating companies and a national network
organization.
Bangladesh - Telecommunications Sector Reform Project
Amount: $ 22 million. Scheduled to be approved in September 1999.
12. The project will promote private investment, operation and competition in the provision of
telecommunications services. This will be achieved by assistance to the strengthening of the sector's
regulation, including the management of the radio frequency spectrum, and by improving the sector's
ability to interconnect with private networks.S/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 9
13. The main components of the project are: (a) consulting services in building up regulatory
capabilities, training of staff and undertake selected studies on sector regulation; (b) a frequency
management and monitoring system, including hardware, software, expert assistance during the initial
years of operations, and staff training; (c) investments in existing facilities to facilitate future
interconnection requirements of private operators; and (d) a study to identify measures to makeexisting operator more efficient and competitive.
India - Telecom Sector Reform Project
Amount: $68 million. Scheduled to be approved in September 1999.
14. The project will promote private investment  and competition in the telecommunications
sector through the strengthening of elements of the policy and regulatory environment. This will be
achieved by assistance to the Department of Tele communications of the Ministry of Communications
for the reinforcement of its functions, including modernization of radio frequency management andlicensing systems, and by assistance to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for the
reinforcement of its capacity to regulate the sector.
Sri Lanka - Telecom Regulatory Project
Amount: $8 million. Approved in March 1996; scheduled to terminate in December 1999.
15. The objective of the telecommunications component of the project is the support of continued
reform and efficient development of the sector. It will be achieved by strengthening the sector
regulation and providing for efficient allocation and use of the radio frequency spectrum. The project
will also promote private investments, operation and competition in the provision of
telecommunications services in Sri Lanka.
16. The project will provide: (1) assistance for the strengthening of regulatory capabilities,
including provision of (a) a frequency management and monitoring system and (b) consulting services
to assist in studies of sector regulation issues and training of staff; and (2) assistance for specific
privatizations.
Bolivia - Regulatory Reform Project
Amount: $20 million. Approved in June 1998; scheduled to terminate in March 2003.
17. The project supports the Government’s initiatives for regulatory reform in the financial,
infrastructure, and business sectors, for the priva tization of state-owned enterprises, and for the
improvement of infrastructure services. This include s (a) strengthening the stability and efficiency of
the financial sector; (b) enhancing the legal and regulatory framework for infrastructure and business;
and (c) promoting improved provision of goods and services through the privatization of state-owned
enterprises and the reform of public-service cooperatives. The Government’s program includes (a) therevision of the regulatory framework law and s upport to the improvement of the institutional
relationship between the general regulatory authority and the executive branch of the Government,
including revision of oversight and monitoring responsibilities; (b) the adoption of an administrative
procedures law; (c) the adoption of a competition law and institutional support for a new competition
authority; and (d) the introduction of competition in the delivery of telecommunications services,including awarding of a PCS license.
Colombia - Regulatory Reform Project
Amount:$12.5 million. Approved in February 1997; scheduled to terminate in August 2001.
18. As requested by the Government, and addressing the main needs relative to the provision of
private infrastructure services, the project will assist (a) in the consolidation of policy, regulatory and
institutional framework to improve the feasibility of private infrastructure projects in sectors includingS/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 10
telecommunications and other utilities; (b) in providing examples of best practice and in supporting
the establishment of a track record through the design of pilot projects and transactions.
Bulgaria - Telecommunications Sector Development Project
Amount: 30 million. Approved in April 1993; scheduled to terminate in June 1999.
19. The objective is to support the rapid development of the telecommunications sector along the
lines of a strategy adopted by Government of Bulgaria, which calls for policy and institutional
reforms and for implementing a medium-term investment program which reflects economic priorities.
20. The project comprises: (a) implementation of a digital overlay network for the Bulgarian
Telecommunications Company (BTC) including digitalization of the trunk routes and
renewal/expansion of the network; (b) design a nd implementation of a computer-based operational
support system/management information system for BTC; and (c) technical assistance for the
corporate development of BTC, including establishment of management functions, i.e. accounting,auditing, financial management, planning.
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States - Telecommunications Reform Project
Amount: $6 million. Approved in June 1998; scheduled to terminate in September 2002.
21. The project will introduce pro-competition reforms in the telecommunications sector and
increase the supply of informatics-related skills in the five OECS borrowing countries. Anindependent regional regulatory authority is to be established within two years of project effectiveness
and new sector legislation is to be passed in each country within three years of project effectiveness.
22. The project will include: (1) Telecommunications Regulatory Framework Modernization in
order to establish a framework to facilitate sect oral reform; (2) Pilot for Informatics Training in
support of informatics training  for current and potential workers; (3)  Project Management
Romania - Telecommunications Reform Project
Amount: $30 million. Approved in April 1998; scheduled to terminate in December 2001.
23. The project helps the Government of Romania (a) to reform the telecommunications sector,
including privatization of existing public sector facilities for telecommunications, and (b) to establish
a regulatory agency for the sector.
24. This includes (a) the design and implementation of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks
for the reform of the telecommunications sector, which will attract new private investment and lead to
the privatization of RomTelecom; and (b) the establishment of an independent regulatory agency for
the sector. The latter will entail provision of the necessary infrastructure to enable the Government to
maximize the productive use of the radio frequency spectrum, and to improve frequency assignment
criteria for further expansion of wireless communications services provided by the private sector
through the creation of a modern radio freq uency spectrum management system (FSMS).
Uzbekistan - Institution Building Project
Amount: $21 million. Approved in June 1998; scheduled to terminate in December 2003.
25. The telecommunications component of this project will help the Government in its effort to
reform the telecommunications sector. This will involve the enactment of modern legislation,accompanied by a clear statement of Government sector policy. In subsequent stages, the project aims
at facilitating the development of the regulatory framework, including capacity building for the newly
created Uzbek Agency for Posts and Telecoms, and the preparation of the privatization of the
companies that comprise Uzbektelekom.S/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 11
Kyrgyz Republic - Telecommunications Project
Amount: $18 million. Approved in June 1994; scheduled to terminate in June 2001.
26. The main objectives are to assist the Government: (a) to make priority investments to
modernize and develop the telecommunications networ k to facilitate economic growth; (b) to improve
management skills for a market oriented economy, to create a state-owned joint-stock corporation for
telecommunications, and to commercialize telecommunication activities; (c) to establish a regulatory
and policy framework for the restructuring of the sect or aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the
main operator, liberalizing and opening to competition key market segments, and attracting over time
private sector investment to the sector.
infoDev Projects
27. The WTO and infoDev have been closely allied in the effort to facilitate the participation of
as many countries as possible to the WTO negotiations and in the subsequent implementation of the
commitments made by the participating countries.
28. Countries in need of assistance, ranging from co verage of expenses for participation in the
negotiations to the drafting of commitments (under the WTO I infoDev grant), to help in the
implementation of the commitments made under the 4th Protocol (under the WTO II infoDev grants),
ask the WTO for support. The World Trade Organization then directs the requests for help to infoDev,
which in turn assigns one of the implementing agenci es to provide assistance to the specific country
under Terms of Reference agreed upon by the WTO and infoDev.
WTO I - Assistance to the Emerging Economies to participate in the WTO Telecommunications
Market Liberalization Process
29. In October 1996, infoDev launched a project to enhance the participation of developing
countries and of economies in transition in the WTO negotiations on telecommunications. The
project, undertaken in cooperation with the WTO and managed by the International Institute of
Communications, was designed to advance one of infoDev's  overall objectives to provide policy
advice and technical assistance to governments in developing countries and economies in transition ontelecommunications regulations and sectoral reform. The specific task of this project was to provide
this kind of assistance to trade and telecommunication negotiators participating in the GATS basic
telecommunication negotiations. A total of $233,000 was awarded for this project
 2.
30. The grant had two main objectives:
(a) to raise awareness about the WTO process and the nature of GATS commitments,
identify trends in global and national telecommunication reform, and provide an
update on the state of play of the WTO negotiations on basic telecommunications;
(b) to provide technical assistance to governments interested in contributing their
commitments to the negotiations on basic telecommunications prior to the February
1997 deadline. The emphasis of this support was on preparing, assessing and/or
improving offers and was generally carried out through in-country visits.
(c) By February 1997, a total of 69 governments had made commitments by the close of
the negotiations, including 23 new submissions. Of the 23 new submissions, 13 were
                                                     
2Countries assisted under the WTO I grant were South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Papua New Guinea,
Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Antigua,
Belize, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Bahamas, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia.S/C/W/110/Add.7
Page 12
directly assisted through this infoDev project and four were indirectly assisted
through the technical assistance provided to them through WTO I.
WTO II - Assistance to Emerging Economies to participate in the WTO Telecommunications
Market Liberalization Process
31. The series of infoDev grants under WTO II, which are now nearing completion, enabled the
recipient countries to improve their capacity to make WTO commitments and undertake to meet their
WTO commitments toward telecommunication market liberalization. infoDev funded four grants to as
many regional institutions to provide assistance to their member countries 3 in order to:
(a) refine their WTO telecommunications commitments;
(b) implement national regulatory arrangements resulting from those commitments;
(c) make commitments, in cases where these had not yet been made.
32. The total infoDev grants associated with the WTO II efforts amounted to $353,580. The
Caribbean component of the infoDev grant, entailing a grant of $70,360 went to the Caribbean
Telecommunications Union. For the African component, Telecom Forum of Africa, was
awarded $124,120. The Wissenschaftliches Institut fur Kommunikationsdienste of Germany received
a grant of $86,500 to carry out assistance to Eastern Europe and Latin America. The fourth grant at
the amount of $73,000 has been given to the Asia Pacific Telecommunity for the Asia and Pacificcomponent of the project.
__________
                                                     
3Countries assisted under WTO II grants were Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Tanzania, Maldives,
Mongolia, Philippines, Thailand, Ecuador, Bolivia, Cyprus, Nicaragua, Belarus, Latvia, Dominica, Trinidad andTobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Montserrat, Bahamas, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and
Nevis, Anguilla, Grenada.