WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/IF/22
26 February 1998
(98-0786)
Committee on Trade and Development
Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical AssistanceOriginal:  English
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS-ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED BY THE MALDIVES
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO1
MALDIVES
                                                     
1Published pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 5 (e) of the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical Assistance (WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1).WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 2
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS-ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED BY THE MALDIVES
MALDIVES
A. TRADE POLICY
(a) What are the sectors that you believe have unexploited or underexploited export
potential?
The Exclusive Economic Zone of the Maldives contains numerous resources that have not
been tapped to their optimal.  In this regard our fishery resources have been under exploited and there
is enormous potential for expanding our manufacturing and service sector exports.
(b) Could you please define your country's pers pective of the reasons for any changes in the
structure and direction of exports and imports?
With regard to changes in the structure and direction of our exports and imports, we have
observed minor changes over the past decade.  As for imports the change has been minimal.However, the direction of our exports has been changing over the years.  While around 60 per cent of
our exports were to Asian countries in 1985 that figure had fallen well below 50 per cent by 1995.  On
the other hand the share of our exports to Europe and the United States of America has increased
significantly.
(c) What have been the objectives of trade po licy in the most recent period, compared to,
say, two decades ago?
The Maldives have always been an advocate of free-trade and this has been the cornerstone of
trade policy for decades.  Adherent to this the Government has actively promoted foreign investment
in the last decade.  Emphasis on service related products has remained high with tourism remaining
the largest contributor to our GDP.
(d) What are the Ministries in charge of trade policy matters, including formulation,
implementation, enforcement and monitoring?  How is coordination made?  What are the
respective roles of the relevant Ministries (give particular attention to tariff policies and other
policies directly affecting exports and imports of goods and services)?
The Ministry of Trade, Industries and Labour (MTIL) has the mandate to formulate and
implement trade, investment and labour market policies in the Maldives.  All regulatory measures
concerning exports and imports are formulated by the MTIL while enforcement of these regulations is
a mandate of Customs.
(e) How are the private sector and academic in stitutions associated with the formulation
and conduct of trade policy?
Government trade policy is designed to facilitate trade and economic growth.  Trade policy
reflects a blend of views from the academia and the private sector.  Unfortunately the Maldives does
not have any academic institutions which conducts trade-related research.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 3
(f) What are the institutions in your country th at can play a role in implementation of a
trade-related project at the local level?  State their respective roles.
The National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Maldives Traders Association are
two private organizations involved in promoting tr ade and industries.  However, both faces technical
and financial limitations.
(g) What are the main laws and regulations de aling with trade policy - on exports and
imports?  Please provide a short description of each.
The following is a list of laws and regulations relating to trade policy:
Law No: 4/79 - The Law Governing Business by Foreign Nationals
This law governs the manner in which a foreign party or joint ventures can conduct import
and export trade as well as wholesale and retail business.
Law No: 25/79 - The Law on Foreign Investment
This law provides for the protection of foreign investors and prescribes the manner in which
foreign investments be conducted in the Maldives.
Law No: 31/79 - The Law on Exports and Imports
This law covers exports, re-exports, imports and sale of imported goods.  All parties engaged
in the said activities are required to obtain licenses from the Ministry of Trade, Industries and Labour.
(h) What are the main instruments of trade policy - on exports and imports?  Please
elaborate (e.g. on import restrictions, the ques tions might be:  on what products are there any
import bans;  on what products are there quantitative import restrictions;  licensing
requirements, etc.;  what is the highest tariff ra te currently in use;  are there any excise taxes,
other "domestic" taxes that are applied differenti ally to imported goods, or to goods of a type
that are principally imported?).
There is no quota on general imports and importers are free to import any quantity at their
own discretion once they hold the import licence as required by law no: 31/79.  There is a category of
goods that require documentation from the concerned government agency before they can pass
through the customs.  There are different levels of tariffs pertaining to different products.  They can
vary from a high of 200 per cent for environmentally hazardous products to a low of 5 per cent forpharmaceuticals. There is no import duty on staple food.  The Government revenue from import
duties represented 13 per cent of total CIF value of imports in 1996.  There are no additional
"domestic" taxes applied differentially to imported products.  Since most of our export products are
extracted from the sea, the Government places considerable emphasis on conservation and there are
some restrictions on the export of certain marine products.
(i) In case you are a WTO Member or are in the process of acceding, how is your country
preparing itself to comply  with the WTO Agreements?
In order to comply with the WTO agreements  the Government is committed to reform its
legal system.  National legislation related to trade matters are currently being reviewed by the
concerned authority and the necessary revisions will be made to comply with the WTO Agreements
during the timeframe allotted to LDCs.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 4
(j) What is the state of familiarity with the WTO framework:
- among government and government-related agencies?
- in the private sector?
The WTO is not a very familiar organization among the broader public and private sector
audience.  However, its role and importance in the international economy is recognized bygovernment and officials involved in trade-related matters.
(k) What are your technical assistance require ments with regard to your compliance with
the WTO Agreements?
Manpower development is a critical requirement if we are to be active and participating
members of the WTO.  Currently the sheer absence of personnel trained in international trade policy
and other related fields has hindered our active involvement in the WTO Agreements and other
international trade initiatives.
(l) In which specific areas of the WTO Agreements do you have technical assistance needs
(e.g. market access, agriculture, rules (anti-dumpin g, subsidies, import licensing, rules of origin,
safeguards etc.), TBT and SPS, Services, TRIPs)?
Technical assistance is required with regard to compliance with the TRIPs agreement.  In
order to formulate national laws concerning intellectual property rights the Government would require
specialist advice.
(m) What is your assessment of your existing trade analysis and negotiating capacities, both
multilateral and bilateral, in areas already co vered by the WTO Agreements and other trade-
related areas, e.g. competition policy and trade and environment?
As indicated in part (k), there is a need to strengthen our human resources.  Our analytical and
negotiating capacities in areas already covered by the WTO Agreements are very limited mainly due
to this reason.
B. OBSTACLES TO TRADE EXPANSION
Obstacles to trade encompassing problems in export markets, infrastructure, human
capacities, institutional bottlenecks, trade financing problems and gaps in trade information can
inhibit a least developed country from taking  full advantage of trading opportunities.
Supply constraints, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What are the main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export  capacity
of  goods and services (e.g. customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management,elimination of cumbersome legal and administrative procedures, paucity of human skills, access
at international prices to imported inputs, or inadequate telecommunication, port and transport
facilities etc.)?
- Land-locked countries may face additional pr oblems, such as having to ship using costly
or unreliable transport and ports systems.  In case this applies to your country, pleaseindicate such problems.  What kind of t echnical assistance would help you work out
these problems?
The following are some of the constraints that have been identified as impediments to sustain
export capacity:WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 5
- Paucity of human skills;
- our enterprises have difficulties in having reliable sources of raw material supplies.
For instance our main canned tuna exporting company, the Maldives Industrial
Fisheries Company (MIFCO) depends on the catch of local fisherman for its raw
material supplies.  These fisherman in turn employ pole and line fishing with is
highly inefficient.  Unfortunately, the limited supplies of raw materials has forced thecannery in the past to temporarily shut dow n and this could be a major drawback for a
company thriving to expand its export market;
- inadequate transport facilities:  Once again MIFCO faces problems of transporting
their products to the export markets in Europe.  Though the cannery located on one of
the islands has an exporting seaport, the company depends on a single vessel which
connects it to Colombo, from where the containers are shipped to Europe.
(b) Are there any institutional bottlenecks, wh ich may impede the efficient conduct of your
country's trade policies?  Provide details.  For example, what are the problems perceived by the
different actors, e.g. exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance companies,
quality control, transporters etc.), professional associations and Ministries?  Are problems
mainly perceived in the area of:
(i) human resources(ii) management of the institution
(iii) financial and material resources
(iv) communication
- Exporters have limited transport facilities connecting their production plants to the
export markets.
- Producers, especially those in the manufacturing and construction sectors face labour
shortages requiring unskilled and semi-skilled workers.  These vacant jobs are filled
in by expatriates from neighbouring countries.  While employing foreign labour is
cost effective for the employer, the Government views the problem with increasing
concern due to a multiple of economic and social factors.
- There is a need to strengthen our legal system.  Legal matters concerning trade-
related issues needs to be expedited so that agents in the trading sector can operate
more efficiently.
- Professional associations and ministries face human resource constraints.
(c) What are the main bottlenecks to export diversification?
Given the limited resources, the potential for export diversification is also very limited for the
Maldives.  Moreover, infrastructure and human resource constraints limit our ability to exploit our
resources more fully.  For the Maldives, export diversification clearly involves a wider exploitation of
our marine resources.  This in turn requires increased expenditure into new product research.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 6
(d) If investment in the production of goods a nd services is inadequate, what are the main
reasons?  Please elaborate them (e.g. structural co nstraints, difficulties in attracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, fi nancing, lack of appropriate technology, etc.)
Clearly, investment in goods and services are inadequate.  The geographical configuration of
the Maldives with dispersed islands, little natural resources, a tight labour market and a small
domestic market means that we have very little to offer for foreign investors.  Despite theGovernment's very attractive package for foreign investors the flow of foreign capital to the Maldives
into areas other than tourism services is comp aratively low due to reasons mentioned.  Moreover
limited infrastructure development and lack of financial facilities in the local economy hinders
investment growth.
(e) Is there a national policy to encourage export-related investment opportunities? Please
elaborate.  What arrangements are in place fo r reviewing, drafting and negotiating contractual
arrangements with foreign investors?
In addition to some incentives for local in vestors catering for the export market the
Government places considerable emphasis on attracting foreign investment.  The Foreign Investment
Services Bureau (FISB) under the MTIL has the mandate to facilitate growth of foreign investment
throughout the Republic.  The following are some of the incentives offered.
- import duty concessions on raw materials and capital equipment;
- relatively low royalty rates;
- no corporate, income or capital gains tax;
- free repatriation of capital and profits;
- 100 per cent foreign ownership;
- guaranteed foreign investment terms;  and- overseas arbitration of disputes.
With regard to contractual agreements with foreign investors, the Government follows a
standard agreement which is systematically amended to cater for the changing economic environment.
Negotiating and drafting of these agreements are in the hands of FISB and is subjected to approval by
the Attorney General's Office.
(f) What are the main obstacles to the transfer, development and acquisition of technology?
Is there any national policy/strategy in this area?  Please elaborate.
The Government encourages the transfer of technology.  Foreign investors operating in the
Maldives are required to train locals as a means of transferring their know-how to the Maldives.
However, transfer of technology in the manufacturing sector is low due to the limited number offoreign manufacturers operating in the Maldives.  In the service sector (telecommunication, airlines,
water, etc.) the transfer of ideas is more mark ed with extensive training being given to local
employees in related fields.  It should be noted here that a large share of foreign capital operating in
the Maldives is in the tourism sector where the potential for technology transfer is limited.
(g) What are your technical assistance or oth er assistance needs with respect to supply
constraints.
Product research, development and marketing is critical to improve on our supply constraints.
In this regard Human Resource Development (HRD) is the basic solution.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 7
Trade Promotion and Trade Support Services
Trade promotion comprises an integrated set of technical and financial services to enhance the
global competitiveness of enterprises and thus facilitate their entry and increasing participation in
international trade.
(h) Do your enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports?  What are these problems in the major export sectors?
Our fish cannery which caters for the export market faces problems with raw material
supplies as it is dependent on local fisherman empl oying pole and line techniques which are highly
inefficient by present standards.
(i) What are the problems for your enterprises in obtaining reliable and up-to-date
information on export/import business opportunities?
Small local businesses do not have access to the recent telecommunications facilities such as
Internet services and E-mail.  Provision of this service to the broader audience at more competitiveprices, will open doors for local enterprises to obtain up-to-date and reliable information on export
markets.  Currently there is no mechanism where local enterprises are notified of developments in
other potential export markets.
Development of such a mechanism within the WTO framework will no doubt assist our trade.
(j) Can your enterprises offer products of internationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging to foreign buyers?  If not, what are the problems?
Our exports, though limited in quantity are of international standard.  Our tourism product is
internationally competitive and the canned tuna proc essing plant that caters for the European market
is the only one if its kind in this region which meets the European Union's import standards.
(k) What problems, other than in terms of trade policy, do you anticipate in developing the
export of services (e.g. computer software, tourism)?
For computer software development, a major constraint is the unavailability of technical
personnel.  Export of our tourism product has been gr owing in value as well as in standard.  The basic
training required for this sector is largely provided locally through the School of Hotel and Catering
Services.  With regard to tourism promotion in th e future, environmental concerns should be brought
into consideration.  The Government has a fairly  stringent policy towards matters related to our
delicate environment.
(l) What are the technical/professional problems encountered by trade support institutions
(e.g. trade promotion council, chamber of commerce, exporters association, etc) in your country
in providing their services to export/import enterprises?
Trade support institutions are usually privately operated and they obviously face financial
limitations.  These financial constraints explain the inability of these institutions to train staff.  The
activities of these institutions are largely limited for this reason.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 8
(m) What problems and deficiencies are experi enced by enterprises in  their international
purchasing and inventory management?
Despite advances in telecommunication facilities we believe that there is inadequate
information and communication channels with the outside world especially for the small local
businesses.
(n) What are the present availability and arrangements for trade finance facilities (e.g.
export credit guarantees, etc.)?  Are there any perceived deficiencies in this area?
There are no specific trade finance facilities available in the Maldives.  However, commercial
banks are obliged to lend to exporters/importers subject to constraints laid down by the Monetary
Authorities.
(o) What are the main problems in the way of  improving export/import management skills
of your business enterprises?  Do you have trai ning programmes in the country?  What are the
deficiencies?
Import/export management skills are usually acquired through experience in the field.  No
formal training programs are conducted in the country, mainly due to the unavailability of experts in
this area.  The majority of agents in this sector learn their skills through active involvement and this
may not necessarily be the most efficient way to manage imports and exports.
(p) Does your trade representation service actively promote your trade?  What are the
weaknesses?
Presently, we do not have a trade representation service.  However, the idea of setting up such
an institution is certainly in the Government agenda.  Such an entity will only be established once we
have adequately trained personnel to run it effectively.
(q) Briefly describe your technical assistance needs in the area of trade promotion and
support services.
Once again the HRD in trade-related matters is critical to promote trade support services.  The
ideal objectives of local trade support services can only be attained if adequate training is provided for
the staff in areas such as international trade poli cy, international trade and international marketing.
Market access
(r) What are your main market access problems?
With our limited export products we do not face any market access problems.
(s) What specific problems or barriers, and in which countries, are most troublesome for
your exporters?
Our exporters do not face market access constraints.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 9
(t) Regional and sub-regional trading arrangem ents (RTAs): please list RTAs to which
your country belongs.  Are you satisfied with th e performance with these RTAs? Please state the
problems of each.  Do you have suggestions on how to solve these?
The Maldives is a member of SAPTA (South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement) at the
regional level.  SAPTA is at the initial negotiat ing stages and its practical implications for the
Maldives have been limited to date.  The presence of numerous non-tariff barriers within the SAPTAregion has been the main problem faced by negotiators.  Though duty concessions have been
discussed, negotiations are mainly directed at eliminating the non-tariff barriers that presently exist in
the region.  SAPTA is expected to turn into a South Asian Free Trade Area by 2001 and it is hoped
that the gains from SAFTA membership will be forthcoming in the future.
(u) Are there any problems in utilizing the exis ting market access preferences, such as GSP,
GSTP?   Please state the nature of problems relating to each of these.
Limited export products from the Maldives.
(v) What are your technical assistance needs with respect to market access?
With regard to market access the following areas require technical assistance.
To establish an information disseminatin g mechanism whereby we are informed of
developments of new regulations in potential export markets which has implications for us.  Currently
there is no mechanism whereby we are notified of new regulations in various trading blocs.
MIFCO is the only company in this region to have attained the European Union's import
standards.  However, the European Union's standard s are different to that of other trading blocs and
products which satisfy these standards may not be acceptable to other potential buyers.  MIFCO's
current goal is to get the approval of ISO 9002 wh ich is recognized internationally.  Reaching ISO
9002 standards will clearly increase our market access opportunities in the future.  MIFCO requiresfinancial/technical assistance in achieving this goal.
Another area in which the Government would like to seek technical advice is with regard to
interpreting legal texts related to standards and laws  in potential markets.  Local enterprises catering
for export markets need specialist advice on inte rpreting fairly complex documents such as the
European Union's standards on imports and other similar documents.
C. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Technical assistance is normally provided to developing and least-developed countries to
build or enhance their human resources and institutional capacities, provide trade information and
trade-related legal support, as well as improve their supply capabilities in order to make them more
active players in the field of multilateral trade.
(a) To the extent this kind of information is easily available, could you please briefly
describe what trade-related assistance you have received over the past five years from bilateral
and multilateral sources and what projects/programmes are presently under consideration in
this area?
During the past five years some assistance has been sought to develop our human resources.
Two recent World Bank loans have been mainly utilized to train locals in development areas.  A share
of this has obviously been to train trade and trade-related professionals.  In addition to this manyWT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 10
locals engaged in trade-related work have participated in international workshops, seminars and study
meetings which are usually organized by international institutions.  We were able to benefit from
technical advice of foreign consultants in various fields.  However, much needs to be done in the field
of human resource development in the country.
(b) Please summarize your technical assistance needs as well as other needs as reflected in
this check-list.  Please rank them in terms of priority.
Technical assistance is needed to develop our human resources, improve financial
shortcomings in the country and build and upgrade our infrastructure.  These are vital factors for an
attractive environment for trade and foreign investment.  The Government prioritizes technical
assistance requirements as follows:
- consultancy on trade and trade-related legal matters in the immediate short run;  and
- training and human resource development.
Strengthening and upgrading of infrastructure, i.e. perhaps upgrading of telecommunications
facilities thereby encouraging wider use of the most recent communication technology.
Technical/financial resources to conduct research into new export productions, i.e.
exploitation of our marine resources more fully.  Technical assistance is also needed to conduct
research and exploit our marine resources to its optimum level.  Technical assistance is required to
upgrade our legal and regulatory system to international standards.  Achievement of such standardswould obviously increase the attractiveness of the Ma ldives as an investment and trading destination.
In our efforts to comply with the TRIPS agreement in the time frame allocated to us we would
require expert views on drafting national intellectual property laws.  Once these laws are in place we
would need to train local staff competent enough to enforce these laws effectively.
Technical assistance is sought in connection with notification requirements of the WTO.
There is a need to train our staff in this area so that notification procedures are promptly and
effectively followed.  Other technical assistance needs include training officials in trade policy and
dispute settlement.  In order to facilitate i ndustry growth and investment the Government is
contemplating on setting up a Stock Exchange.  To this end, we would require consultation and advice
from financial experts.
(c) In the light of the information you have been able to provide so far in response to the
questions in this check-list, what types of information are, in your view, still missing or could be
improved upon?  In order to assist you in providing this missing information, would you need
technical assistance?
(d) Does your country have the technological capacity and human resources to make use of
the new information/communication technology to ols such as CD-Rom, the Internet etc.?  What
assistance would you need to enable your country to use these tools in the context of training
and, more generally, in the context of trade development?
We have the technological capacity to make use of the said information technology.
However, we lack adequately trained human resources to make the maximum use of these resources.
Many actors in the export/import business do not possess the necessary skills to use Internet services.
Proper training of businessmen/entrepreneurs and staff in the Government to fully comprehend andutilize such information will be very useful and productive.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 11
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO
MALDIVES
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(k) :
Technical assistance requirements as
regards compliance with WTO Agreements
Manpower development is a critical
requirement if we are to be active and
participating members of WTO. Currently
the sheer absence of personnel trained ininternational trade policy and other related
fields has hindered our active involvement
in WTO and other international trade
activities.IMF The authorities have started to develop a
domestic revenue base with the aid of
technical assistance from Fiscal Affairs
Department in September 1995 and October1996.  The need to further extend a
domestic revenue base will increase in the
future as tariff rates are further reduced,
especially in view of the proposed free trade
area within SAARC by 2001.  Accordingly,it is understood that the authorities are
contemplating the introduction of a general
goods and services tax in the future, which
would require additional technical
assistance which IMF would be willing toprovide.  (Commitment in principle within
the five-year program).
ITC Maldives will benefit (1997-1999) from a
sub-regional Programme RAS/97/660 -Promoting Trade and Development in the
SAARC which will include a model
training curriculum on multilateral trade
issues. (Additional funding requested).
WTO - A three-week trade policy course for
English-speaking Least-developed countries
in Asia and Pacific region will be held in
1998 and 1999.
- Specialized regional seminars and/or
workshops on WTO provisions will be
organized in 1998 and 1999 for Asia and
Pacific region.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 12
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(l) :
Technical assistance needs as regards
specific WTO Agreements
Technical assistance is required with
regard to compliance with the TRIP'sagreement.  In order to formulate national
laws concerning intellectual property rights
the Government would require specialist
advice.WTO
(WIPO)Assistance will be extended to Maldives in
accordance with the CooperationAgreement between WIPO and WTO
providing for WIPO legal-technical
assistance relating to TRIPs Agreement.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 13
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(m):
Assessment of the existing trade analysis
and negotiating capacities
As indicated in A(k), there is a need to
strengthen our human resources. Ouranalytical and negotiating capacities in
areas already covered by WTO are very
limited.ITC See A(k), especially with reference to
implications of the transition from SAARCPreferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA)
to SAARC Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
UNCTAD Workshop/Seminar will be organized in
direct support to enhancing the
Government's participation in WTO.*
WTO
(WIPO)Assistance will be extended to the Maldives
in accordance with the Cooperation
Agreement between WIPO and WTO
providing for WIPO legal-technical
assistance relating to TRIPs Agreement.
                                                     
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 14
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(g) :
Technical assistance needs as regards
supply constraints
Product research, development and
marketing is critical to improve on oursupply constraints. In this regard Human
Resource Development (HRD) is the basic
solution.ITC See A(k) where the identification of market
opportunities inside and outside SAARCwill be addressed.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 15
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(q) :
Technical assistance needs in the area of
trade promotion and support services
The Human Resource Development (HRD)
is critical to promote trade supportservices.  The ideal objectives of local
trade support services can only be attained
if adequate training is provided for the staff
in areas such as international trade policy,
international trade and internationalmarketing.ITC See A(k), where TCDC will play an
important role to strengthen trade supportservices.
UNDP Government and UNDP have agreed on an
umbrella project ($75,000) for support to
short-term training, using the TCDCmodality.  Once this becomes operational,
one or two short-term  fellowships will be
awarded (preferably to women) in the fields
mentioned depending on
opportunities/priorities.
UNDP/UNCTADIn addition UNDP/UNCTAD, with
Government cost-sharing, are carrying out
Human Resources Development in the
Customs Department in line with theintroduction of ASYCUDA++.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 16
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(v) :
Technical assistance as regards market
access
To establish an information disseminating
mechanism for information ondevelopments of new regulations in
potential export markets.  There is
currently no such mechanism whereby we
are notified of new regulations in various
trading blocs.ITC Maldives will benefit from the sub-regional
programme (See A(k)) under which TradePromotion Organizations (TPOs) already
agreed to form an official network and will
start exchanging trade information.
Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company(MIFCO) is the only company in this
region to have attained EU's import
standards.  However EU's standards aredifferent from those of other trading blocs,
and products which satisfy the EU-
standards may not be acceptable to other
potential buyers.  MIFCO's current goal is
to get the approval of ISO 9002 which isrecognized internationally.  Reaching ISO
9002 standards would clearly increase
market access opportunities.  MIFCO
requires financial/technical assistance in
achieving this goal.
The government seeks technical advisewith regard to interpreting legal texts
relating to standards and laws in potential
markets.  Local enterprises catering forexport markets need specialist advise on
interpreting fairly complex documents such
as EU's standards on imports and other
similar documents.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 17
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(b) :
Summary of technical assistance needs
according to priority
Consultancy on trade and trade related
legal matters in the short run.WTO See A(k) et A(l).
Training and human resource development. ITC The ongoing ITC programme provides for
training in various fields including supply
and demand surveys, and multilateral trade
issues.
WTO See A(k) and A(l).
Strengthening and upgrading of
infrastructure, i.e. the upgrading of
telecommunication facilities in order to
encourage wider use of the most recent
communication technology.
Technical/financial resources to conductresearch into new export products, i.e.
exploitation of our marine resources more
fully.ITC Under the same programme, training on
market research will be provided.
UNDP The UNDP “Growth with Equity:
Sustainable Livelihoods” Programme will
provide limited technical resources for pilot
production and marketing of new exportproducts, especially marine resources like
sea weed and pearl oyster, for which
research is underway. (Co-financed by the
Government)
Technical assistance is required to upgradeour legal and regulatory system to
international standards.  Achievement of
such standards would obviously increase
the attractiveness of Maldives as aninvestment and trading destination.WT/COMTD/IF/22
Page 18
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question C(b) (cont.):
In our efforts to comply with the TRIP's
agreement in the time frame allocated to us
we would require expert views on drafting
national intellectual property laws.  Once
these laws are in place we would need to
train local staff competent enough toenforce these laws effectively.WTO See A(k).
Technical assistance is sought in
connection with notification requirements
of WTO.  There is a need to train our staffin this area so that notification procedures
are promptly and effectively followed.WTO Technical assistance will be provided in
1998 for notification requirements of
Maldives.
Other technical assistance needs includetraining officials in trade policy anddispute settlement.WTO See A(k) and A(l).
In order to facilitate industry growth and
investment, the Government is
contemplating the setting up of a stockexchange.  To this end consultation with
and advise from financial experts would be
required.UNDP Will hire a consultant to carry out necessary
studies.WT/COMTD/IF/22
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Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(d) :
Technical assistance needs in the area of
information technology including training
of human resources
The Maldives have the technological
capacity to make use of information
technology.  However, there is lack of
adequately trained human resources to
make the maximum use of these resources.
Many actors in the export/import businessdo not possess the necessary skills to use
Internet services.  Proper training of
businessmen/entrepreneurs and staff in the
government to fully comprehend and
utilize such information would be veryuseful and productive.ITC TCDC activities, including the setting-up of
web-sites, are envisaged subject to the
agreement between the participating
institutions of SAA RC member countries.
*
WTO Equipment and software will be provided
by the WTO to the Ministry of Trade and
Industry.  This includes a link to Internet.Training on access and use of internet
resources and CD-Roms will be provided.
__________
                                                     
*Funds are requested.