WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/7
19 November 1999
(99-5000)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third Session
Seattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999
THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON INTEGRATED INITIATIVES FOR
LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES' TRADE DEVELOPMENT
Report by the Director-General on Follow-up to the High-Level Meeting
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The High-Level Meeting on Integrated Initiatives for Least-Developed Countries' Trade
Development1 (the High-Level Meeting), held at the WTO in Geneva on 27-28 October 1997, was
aimed to boost efforts to further the integration of  the least-developed countries into the multilateral
trading system.2  This report seeks to trace progress made since the High-Level Meeting.   In the
report, I focus on five main areas:  market access for least-developed countries, the Integrated
Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance (IF), accession to the WTO, WTO trade policy
reviews for least-developed countries, and WTO information technology for development projects.
2. A previous report was given by the Director-G eneral to the Geneva Ministerial Conference.3
                                                     
 1 The High-Level Meeting was held pursuant to the mandate contained in the Singapore Ministerial
Declaration in which Ministers stated that:
"We remain concerned by the problems of the least-developed countries and have agreed to:
• a Plan of Action, including provision for taking positive measures, for example duty-free
access, on an autonomous basis, aimed at improving their overall capacity to respond to theopportunities offered by the trading system;
• seek to give operational content to the Plan of Action, for example, by enhancing conditions
for investment and providing predictable and favourable market access conditions for LLDCs'products, to foster the expansion and diversification of their exports to the markets of alldeveloped countries;  and in the case of relevant developing countries in the context of theGlobal System of Trade Preferences;
• organize a meeting with UNCTAD and the International Trade Centre as soon as possible
in 1997, with the participation of aid agencies, multilateral financial institutions and least-developed countries to foster an integrated approach to assisting these countries in enhancing
their trading opportunities."
2 The Report of the High-Level Meeting on Integrated Initiatives for Least-Developed Countries' Trade
Development is contained in document WT/LDC/HL/23.  Notes on the proceedings of the High-Level Meeting
are contained in documents WT/LDC/HL/M/1 and Add.1.
3 WT/MIN(98)/2 of 28 April 1998.WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 2
II. MARKET ACCESS
3. One of the aims of the High-Level Meeting was to encourage increased market access for the
products originating in the least-developed countries.  At the High-Level Meeting, WTO Members
were therefore invited to announce steps they had taken, or would be taking, on an autonomous basis
to enhance market access for imports from least-developed countries.4  A number of developed and
developing Members made such announcements,5 and since the High-Level Meeting, the WTO
Secretariat has received seven communications relating to market access for least-developed country
exports.6
4. Some developing Members were concerned about the existence of a legal basis under which
they could grant preferences to products originating in least-developing countries.  Following
consultations, a draft "umbrella" waiver from GATT Article I was adopted by the General Council on
15 June 1999.7  However, no new notifications of increased market access for products originating in
the least-developed countries have been made since.
5. The issue of market access for least-developed countries is currently under consideration in
the preparatory mechanism for the Third Ministerial Conference in Seattle.  Least-developed countries
as a group account for only some 0.5 per cent of world trade.  Removing barriers from their trade
would pose no serious threat to any WTO Member and I would sincerely hope that this initiative can
be adopted at Seattle.
6. Market access on its own, however, is only one part of the picture.  Least-developed country
delegations have repeatedly stressed the serious constraints they face on supply capacity and therefore
the need for assurance in capacity building.  The In tegrated Framework (Section III of this report) is
intended to provide a framework in which such assistance can be provided.
III. THE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
7. The 1997 High-Level Meeting endorsed the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical Assistance, Including for Human and Institutional Capacity-Building, to support Least-
Developed Countries in Their Trade and Trade-Related Activities8 (Integrated Framework or IF). The
six core Agencies in the IF are the IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, World Bank and the WTO.
A. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
8. The Integrated Framework, as endorsed by the HLM, "seeks to increase the benefits that
least-developed countries derive from the trade-related technical assistance available to them from the
six Agencies involved in designing this Framework, as well as from other multilateral, regional and
                                                     
4 Members were also invited to notify the details of the announced market access improvements to the
secretariats of WTO and UNCTAD as soon as possible.
5 These were:  the European Communities, Morocco, United States, Mauritius, Republic of Korea,
Singapore, India, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Egypt and Turkey are recorded in the Note on
the Meeting (WT/LDC/HL/M/1).
6 These notifications have been made by Turkey (WT/COMTD/W/39), the European Communities
(WT/COMTD/W/41), Switzerland (WT/COMTD/W/44), Canada (WT/COMTD/LDC/M/11, paragraph 16) andEgypt (WT/COMTD/W/47 plus Add.1) Mauritius (document WT/COMTD/W/53) and the United States(WT/COMTD/N/1/Add. 2).  These notifications vary greatly in scope and coverage.
7 Contained in document WT/L/304.
8 Contained in document WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1.WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 3
bilateral sources, with a view to assisting them  to enhance their trade opportunities, to respond to
market demands and to integrate into the multilateral trading system".9
9. As defined by the Integrated Framework document, t he Framework aims to:
(i) Ensure that trade-related technical assistance activities are demand-driven by the least-
developed countries and meet their individual needs effectively.  Account can thereby
be taken of differences in levels of development and economic structure, and physicalcharacteristics such as location (e.g. land-locked, island) and other factors whichinfluence the supply response to market signals and policy initiatives.  The individualcountry level will normally be the locus of activities conducted under the IntegratedFramework, although if considered appropriate the locus can be established at theregional or sub-regional level;
(ii) Enhance ownership by each least-developed country over the trade-related technical
assistance activities being provided. This is a key feature of the Framework.Responsibility fo r the coordination of implementa tion and monitoring of activities
under the Integrated Framework at the country level will lie primarily with the least-developed country concerned;
(iii) Enable each agency involved to increase its effi ciency and effectiveness in the
delivery of trade-related technical assistance activities.  The Framework will permiteach agency to design and tailor its individual efforts to meet the needs of least-developed countries in the light of full information about the specific needs of eachcountry and about current a nd projected activities being undertaken by other agencies
in the area of trade-related technical assistance.  It will allow the trade-relatedtechnical assistance activities of all the agencies to be properly coordinated, sequencedand synchronized;
(iv) Keep under review trade-related technical assistance activities in individual least-
developed countries, evaluate periodically their success in meeting the country'sneeds, review how those needs change, and adapt the programme of activitiesaccordingly;
(v) Provide comprehensive information about the specific needs of each least-developed
country and about the trade-related technical assistance activities of the six agenciesinvolved to other relevant multilateral and regional intergovernmental organisations,to bilateral development partners and to the private sector.
B. S
TEPS AND PROCEDURES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
10. Although the IF has been structured on the basis of eight steps,10 in practice five main steps
are involved.  These are:
(a) Country needs assessments prepared by individual LDCs;
                                                     
9 WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1.
10 These eight steps are:  (i) Needs assessment by in dividual LDCs;  (ii) Integrated responses by the
six core Agencies;  (iii) Country Specific Round Table Meetings;  (iv) Coordination amongst the six Agenciesinvolved;  (v) Financing;  (vi) Implementation and Monitoring;  (vii) Review and Evaluation of CountryProgrammes;  and,  (viii) Maintenance and publication of a core inventory. (WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1, paragraph5).WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 4
(b) Integrated responses by the six core Agencies: IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, World
Bank, and WTO;
(c) Preparation of a multi-year country programme and the holding of a Round Table
meeting;
(d) Implementation and monitoring of trade-related technical assistance activities; and
(e) Regular evaluation by the staff of the six core Agencies and officials of the least-
developed countries.
C. DEVELOPMENTS SO FAR11
11. To date, 40 out of 48 least-developed countries have completed needs assessments to the six
core agencies.  The six agencies have formulated integrated responses to all needs assessments
reviewed. The formulation of integrated responses is intended to ensure that the agency with expertise
in the delivery of a certain type of trade-related technical assistance actually carries out the activity,
that overlap and duplication are avoided and that the sequence of activities is the most effective one.About 15 per cent of the 2000 activities in the integrat ed responses relate to joint activities by two or
more of the six core agencies.
12
12. Currently, following the preparation of the integrated responses, some 20 least-developed
countries have expressed an interest in organizing a Trade-Related Round Table meeting involving
the six agencies and other multilateral and bilateral development partners.  In preparing for Round-Tables, one agency is normally designated by the least-developed country as "lead-agency".  In most
cases this has been either the UNDP or the World Bank, reflecting their presence in the countries
concerned and their experience in organizing donor meetings.  Where necessary, national and/or
international consultants have been appointed to assist the Government in preparing the Round Table.
The Round Table is intended to give the least-developed country Government an opportunity toexplain the role of trade in its overall developmen t strategy and to present its priorities for trade-
related technical assistance; to persuade potential donors of the trade-related technical assistance
needs of the least-developed country; and to seek  commitments to finance the activities mentioned.
13. Four Round Tables will have been held by the time of the Seattle Ministerial Conference:
with Uganda, Tanzania, Haiti and The Gambia.
13  Based on the initial experience with the Uganda
Round Table and on suggestions by Members, a number of measures were taken to facilitate the
preparatory process.  Two documents were elaborated to assist other least-developed countries in
                                                     
11  See attached table on "Status of Implementation of the Integrated Framework".
12 An indicative list of joint activities being carried out under the Integrated Responses include, work
on modernization-computerization of customs systems by IMF, UNCTAD and UNDP; World Bank-WTO JointRegional Seminars on the multilateral trading system and how to use trade as a tool for development; the design
and implementation of projects by ITC, UNCTAD, and WTO under the Joint Integrated Technical Assistance
Programme (JITAP) in four African LDCs; technical assistance activities for accession to the WTO byUNCTAD and UNDP; WTO national seminars in LDCs with the participation of ITC, UNCTAD and UNDP;joint ITC and UNCTAD Programming Missions and joint ITC/UNCTAD implementation of UNDP-fundedprojects.  Some of the joint entries are implemented toge ther with other development partners of the LDCs such
as WIPO, UNIDO and the FAO; and export diversification projects by the World Bank with the participation of
other agencies and bilateral donors.
13 Uganda, 11 December 1998;  Tanzania, 14 Octo ber 1999;  Haiti, 11-12 November 1999; and
The Gambia, 23-24 November 1999.  The Governments of Bangladesh and Ethiopia have also finalized itsdocumentation and requested the six agencies to assist it in finding an appropriate date for the holding of aroundtable.WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 5
preparing for Round Table meetings.14  Launch-workshops to kick-start the preparatory process and
ensure a commitment from all stakeholders, including the numerous least-developed country
ministries, private sector etc., international organi zations and bilateral donors were organized by some
least-developed countries.15  Informal pre-Round Table Meetings were held for The Gambia, Haiti
and Tanzania in Geneva. These were attended by representatives from Geneva Missions and
representatives from the core and other agencies.16  At these meetings, government representative
explained to their potential donors their priority projects, exchanged views on the policy setting and
sought indications of pledges.
14. In other least-developed countries, the six core agencies are in the process of implementing
activities that do not require additional funding:  i.e. the large majority of activities mentioned by the
agencies in their integrated responses.  Almost 50 per cent of the 2,000 entries by the six agencies in
the integrated responses, have been completed or are in advanced stages of completion.  This and
other relevant information about the Integrated Framework is available on the website(http://www.ldcs.org) of the joint Administrative Unit for the Integrated Framework, which is located
in the International Trade Centre.
D. C
HALLENGES AND RESPONSES
15. The process of implementing the Integrated Framework has been a valuable learning process
for all parties involved.  In particular, the importance of the least-developed countries' ownership ofthe process and the coordination of trade-related technical assistance activities in the least-developed
countries amongst the six core agencies, other intergovernmental organizations and donors have been
stressed.  To this end, a number of intergovernmental organizations, regional and bilateral
development partners have expressed interest in working with the least-developed countries and the
six core agencies in the Integrated Framework.
17
16. There has been criticism relating to the expectation of certain LDC governments and
international organizations that the Integrated Fr amework would bring additional funding.  It should
be recalled that, when Members endorsed the Integrated Framework at the High-Level Meeting for
Least-Developed Countries in 1997, no additional resources were envisaged for its implementation.
The six agencies were asked to implement the Integrated Framework by using efficiency gains fromcoordinating existing projects and possible re-prior itization.  However, funding of the preparatory
process and of programmes under the IF remains a live issue.
17. Criticism has been raised that the process has been slow and bureaucratic.  Coordination is
often difficult, as the Integrated Framework, aims at coordinating 48 least-developed countries, the six
core agencies, other multilateral partners, and the bilateral donor community.  Coordination hasproven to be a particular challenge within the least-developed countries where a large number of
ministries and other government agencies might be involved as well as the private sector and local
non-governmental organizations.  Coordination within some of the agencies and donors has also
                                                     
14 An outline document and an indicative timetable are both contained under document symbol
WT/COMTD/LDC/W/15.
15 Bangladesh, Djibouti, The Gambia, Haiti, Tanzania, and Zambia.
16 Guinea, Mali and Togo also called such meetings informally in connection with their Trade Policy
Reviews.
17 Based on information provided to the Administrative Unit, 12 multilateral partners have identified a
focal point to liaise and coordinate with other concerned parties involved in the Integrated Framework.  These
multilateral partners are the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Common
Fund for Commodities (CFC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Forum Secretariat, the Food andAgricultural Organization (FAO), the International Standards Organization (ISO), the Islamic DevelopmentBank (IDB), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the World CustomsOrganization (WCO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 6
sometimes proven more difficult than expected as has coordination among all the stakeholders.
However, even though the process has been slow, these coordination problems seem to be gradually
being overcome.
18. Least-developed countries have criticised the Integrated Framework for not living up to their
expectation that, in its implementation, it should address supply-side constraints and physical
infrastructural requirements as well as trade-related capacity and institution building.  The suggestionhas also been made that the existing questionnaire for needs assessments should be reviewed in light
of the responsibility of the least-developed countries to prioritize projects in the preparation of their
multi-year programmes.
19. Trade-related issues may be one among many concerns in development and poverty reduction
programmes pursued by least-developed country Governments and major international agencies.  The
Integrated Framework has contributed to raising the profile and understanding of the multi-faceted
role of trade in development, both at governmental and international level.
20. Some of the achievements of the Integrated Framework are not easily quantified.  Improved
communication among the various ministries involv ed in trade-related matters within the least-
developed countries is an achievement which should lead to more efficient and coherent trade-policies
and contribute to the process of institution building in these countries.  Ministries involved in trade
and aid agencies in donor countries have also improved their coordination, which could lead to moreefficient assistance in the area of trade to least-de veloped countries. Not least, trade issues are being
mainstreamed into the work of the major developm ent agencies assisting least-developed countries.
These elements are apparent in the Round Table meetings now taking place under UNDP and
World Bank auspices.
21. The WTO Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries has provided an ongoing forum for
an exchange of views on concerns and challenges in the implementation of the Integrated Framework.
At the 17th Session of the Sub-Committee, it was understood that the concerns expressed and the
challenges that confronted the Integrated Framework would be examined within the context of the
review of the Integrated Framework pursuant to Paragraph 6 of the Integrated Framework document,
18
due to be initiated early in 2000.  This review will  involve the views of the six core agencies, least-
developed countries and other development partners.  A number of proposals have been made by the
Agencies involved in the IF.  These proposals will be considered in the coming months.
IV. ACCESSION TO THE WTO
22. The High-Level Meeting recommended the WTO to develop efforts to assist least-developed
countries in the process of accession.  Currently there are seven least-developed country applicants
engaged in the accession process under Article XII of the WTO Agreement.  These are Bhutan,
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Samoa, Sudan and Va nuatu.  Of these, the most advanced in the
accession process is Vanuatu, whose Working Party Report and the Schedules of Concessions and
Commitments in Goods and Services are in the pr ocess of finalization.  Cambodia, Nepal and Sudan
have circulated their Memoranda on the Foreign Trade Regime.  Their accession processes may be
expected to proceed during 2000.  Cape Verde, Ethiopia and Yemen, which are also Observers to theWTO, have not yet requested accession under Article XII procedures.
23. Within existing financial and human resource constraints, the Secretariat has been providing
special and focused technical assistance to these countries, particularly in the area of developing basic
WTO-related legislation, and the training of officials, to reduce the number of Working Party
meetings to a minimum and to ensure that those held are as productive as possible.  However, in
                                                     
18 WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1.WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 7
preparation for Seattle, least-developed country representatives have repeatedly referred to the
burdensome nature of the accession process and the need to its acceleration.
V. TRADE POLICY REVIEWS
24. A second recommendation from the High-Level Meeting directly related to the work of the
WTO was for the WTO to accommodate on a priority basis requests from least-developed countriesfor Trade Policy Reviews and assist least-developed countries in preparing for their reviews.  The
Trade Policy Review Body's Report to the Singa pore Ministerial Conference also suggested that
greater attention be paid to the coverage of least developed countries in the TPRB programme.
25. By the end of 1999, the TPRM will have conducted 120 reviews (113 if grouped reviews are
counted as single reviews) since its formation.  The reviews have covered 71 Members, counting the
European Communities (EC) as one.  Ten reviews of least-developed countries have been held
since 1989,
19 and seven since the Singapore Ministerial Conference.  Currently, the programme of
reviews for the year 2000 includes two least-developed countries, Bangladesh and Tanzania.  More
Trade Policy Reviews could take place with additional funding.
26. Trade Policy Reviews of least-developed countries have been useful in understanding the
trade policy structure in place and its relationship with the WTO Agreements.  The reviews have also
provided technical assistance to the relevant Members, especially in enhancing their understanding ofthe WTO Agreements and enabling better compliance;  in some cases, better interaction between
government agencies has been facilitated by the reviews.  The wide coverage of the Secretariat reports
also enables Members to recognize any shortcomings in policy and to identify specific areas where
further technical assistance may be required.
27. The WTO Secretariat has provided special support to least-developed countries undergoing
Trade Policy Reviews.  Assistance has been given in explaining to least-developed country officials
what should go into their reports while no assistance has been given in actually writing the report.
The WTO has also provided the funding for two least-developed country officials to come to Geneva
for the Trade Policy Reviews.  In Geneva, the WTO Secretariat has provided the least-developed
country officials with an officer and secretaries at the time of Trade Policy Reviews to assist themwith, for example, the preparation of answers to questions.
VI. WTO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
28. WTO activities in favor of least-developed and developing countries have been aimed at
enabling them to use information technologies to access WTO information and training. The plandeveloped following the High-Level Meeting contains  four main areas of implementation.  They are:
A. D
EVELOPMENT OF WTO R EFERENCE CENTRES
29. The WTO has provided computer equipment, Internet connections and training for the
established 68 WTO Reference Centres in 38 least-developed countries and 30 developing countries
since October 1997. Trade and Commerce Ministries of these countries are using the Reference
Centres to access WTO information and training materials through the Internet and on CD-ROM.
The WTO provides technical support and advice to help the Reference Centres through a centralizedHelp Desk in Geneva which provides support and advice to deal with hardware and software and
                                                     
19 The least-developed countries reviewed sin ce the establishment of the Trade Policy Review
Mechanism are: Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Lesotho, Mali, the Solomon Islands, Togo, Ugandaand Zambia.WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 8
coordinates responses from various WTO Divisions to ensure Reference Centres are able to overcome
their difficulties to get back on-line.
30. The WTO has made available to Reference Centres a number of interactive training programs
and a Y2K kit on CD-ROM to ensure that computers at Centres will not experience any difficulties in
making the transition to the year 2000.
B. TRAINING
31. Training has remained the single most important priority identified by officials in least-
developed countries and other developing countries so they can develop the skills needed to make
effective use of the Internet and of CD-ROM training and information tools.  About 1,500  trade
officials  in the Trade Ministries of least-developed countries and developing countries have received
training over the last 18 months on how to access WTO on-line materials.  The training ranges from
that offered to beginners on using a PC and the Intern et, to more advanced applications such as how to
use the WTO Document Dissemination Facility or  how to develop an ACCESS database.  Training
has been delivered in the capitals during the establishment of Centres.  It has also been provided using
the World Bank Global Learning Network.  Trai ning and evaluation sessions have been held in
Geneva during which officials responsible for the operation of Reference Centres have also been able
to provide feedback on how to improve the operations of these Reference Centres, sharing their
experiences with colleagues from other countries and with  WTO staff.
32. The Information Technology for Developmen t project, a joint undertaking with the
World Bank, has focused on developing and refining information and training tools for trade officials
in least-developed countries and developing countries.  The specific applications developed include:
- Print and digital versions of trilingual Guides on the WTO and on the WTO and
developing countries.  The Guides have been widely distributed within least-developed and developing countries.  It is estimated that about 60,000 copies have
been downloaded from the WTO Internet site over the past year.
- Computer-based training m odules on CD-ROM. These consist of interactive training
courses on multimedia CDs.  The first two focused on the Textiles Agreement (3hours of course material) and on a step-by-step approach to using WTO information
and training.  Both modules reside on a single CD which offers the choice of English,
French and Spanish versions.  New additions being made to this digital training
library include modules on the SPS Agreement and Developing Countries, and on the
TRIPS Agreement and Developing Countries.
C. 
JOINT INTERNET SITE WITH THE WORLD BANK
33. The joint Internet site with the World Bank, the Trade and Development Centre, has been
enhanced with the addition of new case studies on least-developed and developing countries.  The site
also offers users access to a series of on-line fora  organized with specialists at the World Bank, all
oriented to the interests of LDC and developing countries.  The most recent forum, on least-developed
countries and the Seattle Ministerial Meeting, attracted 400 registered participants.
D. CD-ROM L IBRAR Y
34. This library of 11 CD-ROMs provides each Reference Centre with access to trilingual
versions of the complete results of the Uruguay Round, Trade Policy Reviews, BISD series and other
invaluable reference and information tools for trade officials.WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 9STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
COUNTRY NEEDS ASSESSMENT INTEGRATED RESPONSE20CONSULTATIONS21ROUND TABLE
Afghanistan
AngolaWT/COMTD/IF/13
11.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/13
11.2.98
BangladeshWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.1
24.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/1 L.W :  June 1999
BeninWT/COMTD/IF/14 and Add.1
12.2.98 and 4.3.98WT/COMTD/IF/14 and Add.1
12.2.98 and 4.3.98
BhutanWT/COMTD/IF/35
17.9.98WT/COMTD/IF/35
17.9.98
Burkina FasoWT/COMTD/IF/24
15.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/24
15.4.98
BurundiWT/COMTD/IF/15
18.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/15
18.2.98
CambodiaWT/COMTD/IF/36
18.9.98WT/COMTD/IF/36
18.9.98
Cape VerdeWT/COMTD/IF/25
15.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/25
15.4.98
Central African Rep.WT/COMTD/IF/16
18.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/16
18.2.98
ChadWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.2
24.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/2
ComorosWT/COMTD/IF/26
29.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/26
29.4..98
Congo, Dem. Rep. of theWT/COMTD/IF/17
17.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/17
17.2.98
DjiboutiWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.3
23.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/3 L.W : October 1999
Equatorial GuineaWT/COMTD/IF/18
3.3.98WT/COMTD/IF/18
3.3.98
Eritrea
                                                     
20 The Needs Assessments and Integrated Responses of 12 LDCs were presented at the HLM on 27-28 October 1997, in document series WT/LDC/HL/12/Add.1-12.
This information was re-issued as documents WT/COMTD/IF/1-12.
21 Consultations refer to Informal pre-RT donor meetings held at the WTO or locally, launch workshops (L.W.) and consultations in  the margin of the WTO Trade
Policy Review (TPR).WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 10STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
COUNTRY NEEDS ASSESSMENT INTEGRATED RESPONSE20CONSULTATIONS21ROUND TABLE
EthiopiaWT/COMTD/IF/19
26.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/19
26.2.98Pre-RT : end November 1999
GambiaWT/COMTD/IF/20
26.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/20
26.2.98L.W : First Semester 1999
Pre-RT : September 1999Geneva, November 1999
GuineaWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.4
24.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/4 TPR :  February 1999
Guinea BissauWT/COMTD/IF/27
2.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/27
2.4.98
HaitiWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.5
27.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/5 L.W :  July 1999
Pre-RT : October 1999Port-au-Prince, November 1999
Kiribati
LaosWT/COMTD/IF/28
27.3.98WT/COMTD/IF/28
27.3.98
LesothoWT/COMTD/IF/21
26.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/21
26.2.98
Liberia
MadagascarWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.6
24.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/6
MalawiWT/COMTD/IF/37
18.9.98WT/COMTD/IF/37
18.9.98
MaldivesWT/COMTD/IF/22
26.2.98WT/COMTD/IF/22
26.2.98
MaliWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.7
23.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/7 TPR :  November 1998
MauritaniaWT/COMTD/IF/23
3.3.98WT/COMTD/IF/23
3.3.98
MozambiqueWT/COMTD/IF/29
6.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/29
6.4.98
MyanmarWT/COMTD/IF/40
1.8.99WT/COMTD/IF/40
1.8.99
NepalWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.8
24.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/8 L.W : (Bangladesh, June 99)22
                                                     
22 A representative of the Government attended and participated in the launch workshop held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in June 1999.WT/MIN(99)/7
Page 11STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
COUNTRY NEEDS ASSESSMENT INTEGRATED RESPONSE20CONSULTATIONS21ROUND TABLE
NigerWT/COMTD/IF/30
14.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/30
14.4.98
RwandaWT/COMTD/IF/38
17.9.98WT/COMTD/IF/38
17.9.98
SamoaWT/COMTD/IF/31
2.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/31
2.4.98
Sao Tome & PrincipeWT/COMTD/IF/39
21.9.98WT/COMTD/IF/39
21.9.98
Sierra Leone
Solomon IslandsWT/COMTD/IF/32
2.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/32
2.4.98
Somalia
SudanWT/COMTD/IF/33
8.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/33
8.4.98
TanzaniaWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.9
27.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/9 L.W : August 1999
Pre-RT : October 1999Dar es Salaam October 199923
TogoWT/COMTD/IF/34
8.4.98WT/COMTD/IF/34
8.4.98TPR : January 1999
Tuvalu
UgandaWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.10
27.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/10 Kampala, December 1998
VanuatuWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.11
27.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/11
Yemen
ZambiaWT/LDC/HL/12/Add.12
27.10.97WT/COMTD/IF/12 L.W : October 1999
__________
                                                     
23 Expressions of interest/support noted at the meeting, formal pledging to be done at the next CG meeting in 2000.