WORLD TRADE WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
23October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4650)
High-Level Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives for
Least-Developed Countries 'Trade Development
AnIntegrated Framework forTrade-Related Technical Assistance, including for
Human andInstitutional Capacity-Building, toSupport Least-Developed Countries
inTheir Trade andTrade-Related Activities
Revision
I. BACKGROUND
1. Attheir firstConference inSingapore inDecember 1996, WTO Ministers adopted the
Comprehensive andIntegrated WTOPlanofAction fortheLeast-Developed Countries which "envisaged
aclosercooperationbetweentheWTOandothermultilateralagenciesassistingleast-developedcountries"
intheareaoftrade.1Pursuant tothePlanofAction ,aimed atimproving theoverall capacity ofleast-
developed countries torespond tothechallenges andopportunities offered bythetrading system, it
wasagreed bytheWTO, UNCTAD andITCSecretariats, incollaboration withthestaffoftheIMF,
theWorld BankandtheUNDP, thatanIntegrated Framework fortheprovision oftrade-related technical
assistance, including human andinstitutional capacity-building, forsupporting tradeandtrade-related
activities oftheleast-developed countries andincluding efforts toenhance thesupply response ofthese
countries should bedrawn upandapplied onacase-by-case basis tomeet theneeds identified by
individual least-developed countries intheareaoftrade.
II. AIMS OFTHE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
2. TheIntegrated Framework seeks toincrease thebenefits thatleast-developed countries derive
fromthetrade-related technical assistance available tothemfromthesixagencies involved indesigning
thisFramework,2aswellasfrom other multilateral, regional andbilateral sources, withaview to
assisting them toenhance theirtrade opportunities, torespond tomarket demands, andtointegrate
intothemultilateral trading system. TheFramework aimsto:
(a) Ensure thattrade-related technical assistance activities aredemand-driven bytheleast-
developed countries andmeettheirindividual needs effectively. Account canthereby
betaken ofdifferences inlevels ofdevelopment andeconomic structure, andphysical
characteristics such aslocation (e.g.land-locked, island) andother factors which
influence thesupply response tomarket signals andpolicy initiatives. Theindividual
country levelwillnormally bethelocus ofactivities conducted under theIntegrated
Framework, although ifconsidered appropriate thelocus canbeestablished atthe
regional orsub-regional level;
1WTO document WT/MIN(96)/14, dated 7January 1997
2References hereandelsewhere inthisnotetothesixagencies involved means theIMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, theWorld Bank andtheWTO.WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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(b) Enhance ownership byeachleast-developed country overthetrade-related technical
assistance activities being provided. This isakeyfeature oftheFramework.
Responsibility forthecoordination ofimplementation andmonitoring ofactivities under
theIntegrated Framework atthecountry levelwilllieprimarily withtheleast-developed
country concerned;
(c) Enable eachagency involved toincrease itsefficiency andeffectiveness inthedelivery
oftrade-related technical assistance activities. TheFramework willpermit eachagency
todesign andtailor itsindividual efforts tomeettheneeds ofleast-developed countries
inthelightoffullinformation about thespecific needs ofeachcountry andabout current
andprojected activities being undertaken byother agencies intheareaoftrade-related
technical assistance. Itwillallow thetrade-related technical assistance activities of
alltheagencies tobeproperly coordinated, sequenced andsynchronized;
(d) Keep under review trade-related technical assistance activities inindividual least-
developed countries, evaluate periodically theirsuccess inmeeting thecountry 'sneeds,
review howthose needs change, andadapt theprogramme ofactivities accordingly;
(e) Provide comprehensive information about thespecific needs ofeachleast-developed
country andabout thetrade-related technical assistance activities ofthesixagencies
involved toother relevant multilateral andregional intergovernmental organisations,
tobilateral development partners andtotheprivate sector.
3. TheIntegrated Framework builds upontheexperience ofrelevant related programmes currently
beingundertakenbythesixagenciesinvolved.Inparticular,ITC,UNCTADandWTOarecollaborating
inanIntegrated Technical Assistance Programme forAfrica designed totackle, interalia,export supply
capabilities. Activities under thisprogramme forindividual African least-developed countries will
besubsumed under theIntegrated Framework.
III. ELEMENTS OFTHE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
4. Trade-related technical assistance activities mayencompass3:
(a) Institution-building tohandle trade policy issues (e.g., assistance toleast-developed
countries inacceding totheWTO; enhancing capacities tomake andimplement trade
policy consistently withWTO obligations; seeking more effective coordination among
relevant government departments; building a"core-capacity" todealwithtradeissues
within aleadMinistry andthedevelopment of"think tank" capacity inindividual least-
developedcountriestoundertakestrategicanalysisontradeissues;strengtheningcapacity
toparticipate inthemultilateral trading system, including theimplementation and
application ofobligations andcommitments; accessing relevant information for
negotiations ontraditional andnewtrade issues);
(b) Strengthening ofexport supply capabilities (e.g., strengthening thepolicy environment
fortradeliberalisation; improving competitiveness ofenterprises; increasing investment
(including foreign direct investment) inproductive sectors; removing bottlenecks to
increased production oftradeable goods andservices, including through development
3Theattached Check-List isindicative oftherange oftrade-related technical assistance activities thatfall
under theIntegrated Framework.WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
Page3
ofrelevant infrastructure; helping least-developed countries exploit newtrading
opportunities);
(c) Strengthening tradesupport services (e.g., tradeefficiency involving tradefacilitation,
access totrade finance; support attheenterprise level including access tobusiness
information, useofinformation technology, adaptation/development ofnewproducts,
advice onstandards, packaging, quality control, marketing anddistributional channels;
commercial representation; functioning oftrade promotion organisations; improved
international purchasing andsupply management; promotion oftrade inservices);
(d) Strengthening tradefacilitation capabilities (e.g.modernization andreform ofcustoms
andother government agencies participating intrade transactions, simplifying export
andimport procedures);
(e) Training andhuman resource development. These willbealarge component ineach
oftheabove fourareas; and
(f) Assistance inthecreation ofasupportive trade-related regulatory andpolicy framework
thatwillencourage trade andinvestment.
5. Thesteps andprocedures oftheIntegrated Framework areasfollows:
Needs assessment
(a) Trade-related technical assistance activities willbebased onanassessment oftheneeds
ofindividual least-developed countries4.Needs assessment istheresponsibility ofthe
least-developedcountry.Whenpreparingitsneedsassessmentaleast-developedcountry
isencouraged toinvolve actively itsprivate sector. Aleast-developed country may
request assistance tocomplete itsneeds assessment. Ifsucharequest ismade toany
ofthesixagencies involved, theagency shallensure thatitaccommodates therequest
aspromptly aspossible andeither provides therequested assistance itselforidentifies
another appropriate source ofassistance.
(b) Eachleast-developed country isencouraged todesignate asafocalpointasenior official
within arelevant government ministry, with responsibility forcoordinating the
preparation ofitsinitial needs assessment andforkeeping itsneeds subsequently under
review (aswellasforcoordinating theimplementation andmonitoring ofitscountry
programme: see5(l)below).
(c) Upon request ofthecountry concerned orthelocaladvisor, thefocalpoint should be
assisted inthistaskbyresident missions oftheUNDP orWorld Bank orother
intergovernmentalagenciesengagedatthelocallevelintrade-relatedtechnicalassistance
activities (including, asappropriate, agencies other than thesixreferred toin
paragraph 1)5.Where assistance ofthiskindcannot beprovided locally, aleast-
4Anindicative Check-List toassist each least-developed country todraw upacomprehensive assessment
ofitsneeds isattached.
5Needs assessment isacontinuing process thatcanbeenergy andtimeconsuming forthebeneficiary country.
Itpresupposes adetailed andextensive knowledge oftheproblems faced, ofsuccessful schemes andsolutions
(continued...)WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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developedcountryisencouragedtoexplorewiththesixagenciesinvolvedthepossibility
fortheassistance tobeprovided through some other means.
Response ofthesixagencies involved
(d) Upon completion oftheneeds assessment, thestaffofthesixagencies shallconsult,
together withofficials oftheleast-developed country concerned, toconsider howtrade-
related technical assistance activities canbestbedesigned andsequenced tomeetthe
identified needs most efficiently andeffectively, andtoagree provisionally upon a
programme oftrade-related technical assistance activities thatcanbeprovided inthe
lightoftheagencies 'respective mandates, resources andexpertise.
Country-specific Roundtable meetings
(e) Theresults ofthisinitial consultation shallbepublished anddistributed6,along with
thecompleted needs assessment oftheleast-developed country concerned. Theleast-
developed country, withtheassistance upon request ofthelocal advisor and/or the
sixagencies involved, willschedule aRoundtable meeting atwhich itwillpresent the
conclusions ofitsneeds assessment anditsproposed agenda oftrade-related technical
assistanceprojectstomeettheneeds,indicatingthoseforwhichithasreceiveddefinitive
orprovisional offers oftechnical assistance. Itwilltakeresponsibility forselecting
thechairperson oftheRoundtable meeting andtheintergovernmental agencies, bilateral
development partners, andmembers oftheprivate sector (including non-governmental
organisations, where appropriate) thatitwishes toinvite toparticipate. Where possible,
theRoundtable meetings willbepartoftheUNDP Round Table cycle, andproceedings
willbeincluded intheWorld Bank Consultative Group Meetings andintheUNDP
Round Tables".
(f) Subject totheavailability ofresources, theRoundtable meeting willprovide the
opportunitytoendorseamulti-yearcountryspecificprogrammeoftrade-relatedtechnical
assistance activities andtodesignate implementing/executing agencies, including from
amongintergovernmentalagenciesotherthanthesixcoreagenciesinvolvedandbilateral
development partners and,where appropriate, theprivate sector. Itwillalsoprovide
anoccasion foraleast-developed country 'sdevelopment partners toannounce interest
infinancing and/or providing technical assistance andexpertise tosupport elements
oftheprogramme. Theresults oftheRoundtable meeting shallbepublished. Where
possible,theresultsshouldbeincorporatedintoWorldBankCountryAssistanceStrategy
documents andintoUNDP Country Strategy Notes.
5(...continued)
adopted elsewhere, andoftheavailability oftechnical assistance. Itinvolves circulating up-to-date information
tointerested parties, maintaining aninventory oftrade-related technical assistance projects, andensuring their
coordination inthefield. Apermanent local advisor canassist aninterested least-developed country inthese
tasks,whichwouldberegardedbytheagenciesinvolvedasalong-term,capacity-buildingmeasureatthecountry-
level.
6Each agency willdecide upon theappropriate channels ofdistribution toitsmembers. Forexample, in
thecaseoftheWTO distribution willtakeplace through theCommittee onTrade andDevelopment.WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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Coordination among thesixagencies involved
(g) ThesixagencieswillcoordinatecloselyinapplyingtheIntegratedFrameworkforTrade-
RelatedTechnicalassistancetoleast-developedcountries.Clearlinesofcommunication
willbemaintained between theagencies inthisregard7,toprovide fortheregular
exchange ofinformation related toactivities conducted under theIntegrated Framework
andtofacilitate access byleast-developed countries totheresources ofthesixagencies.
Inter-agency coordination willenable theagencies toavoid overlap andduplication,
andallow themtoproperly sequence andsynchronize trade-related technical assistance
toindividual least-developed countries.
(h) Thesixagencies shallensure thatallofthetrade-related technical assistance activities
theyprovide, whether individually orincollaboration withother agencies, shallbe
properly coordinated withthecountry programme implemented under theIntegrated
Framework. Jointactivities among twoormore oftheparticipating agencies willbe
actively encouraged.
(i) Whenever needs common tomany least-developed countries (e.g.thematic orregional)
canbeidentified, thesixagencies should coordinate indeveloping appropriate technical
assistance programmes tomeet these needs. Thiswould ensure thatapoolofcore
technical assistance activities could beprovided, uponrequest, flexibly andpromptly.
Financing
(j) Each ofthesixagencies shallfinance from itsexisting resources -or,asnecessary,
shallseekadditional finance withtheactive support oftheleast-developed country
concerned for-those trade-related technical assistance activities inthecountry
programmes forwhich itisresponsible. Where resources additional tothose currently
available fortrade-related technical assistance activities arerequired, theymaybe
mobilised through bilateral andmultilateral channels, including frombothtraditional
andnon-traditional sources. Programmes referred tounder sub-paragraph (i),broader
innaturethancountry-specificprogrammes,couldbesubmittedcollectivelyforfinancing
tothedonor community either through existing channels orthrough adhocmeetings.
Implementation andmonitoring
(k) Eachofthesixagencies shallberesponsible foragreeing withthegovernment ofeach
least-developed country concerned thespecific modalities andexact timing ofitstrade-
related technical assistance activities.
(l) Theroleofcoordinatingtheimplementationandmonitoringofthetrade-relatedtechnical
assistance activities conducted under theIntegrated Framework shallbeprimarily the
responsibility oftheleast-developed country concerned. Itmayseekassistance inthis
regard, asnecessary, fromthesixagencies involved orthelocaladvisor, forexample,
toestablishandmaintainadatabaseofcurrenttrade-relatedtechnicalassistanceactivities
being conducted inthecountry concerned.
7Forexample, inthecaseoftheWTO theDirector oftheTechnical Cooperation andTraining Division will
actasthefocal point forallactivities related totheIntegrated Framework.WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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Review andevaluation ofcountry programmes
(m) Implementationofeachcountryprogrammeoftrade-relatedtechnicalassistanceactivities
shallbereviewed andevaluated regularly (generally onanannual basis) bythestaff
ofthesixagencies involved andofficials oftheleast-developed countries concerned.
Aschedule forreviews andevaluations shallbeincluded inthecountry programme.
Theresults willbereported attherespective country-specific World BankConsultative
Group Meetings andUNDP Roundtables, oratadhocmeetings arranged periodically
toreview thecountry programme and,asnecessary, toadjust andupdate it,forexample
inthelightofthechanging needs oftheleast-developed country concerned (these adhoc
meetings would beconducted inthesame wayastheinitial Roundtable meetings
described under 5(e)). Thedevelopment partners ofeachleast-developed country would
beassociated inthereview andevaluation ofthecountry programme inthatcontext.
Whenever considered necessary, anexternal evaluation ofacountry programme could
bedecided onatsuchoccasions.8
Maintenance andpublication ofacoreinventory
(n) Thesixagencies involved shallmaintain andpublish anintegrated database, bycountry,
ofthetrade-related technical assistance activities theyundertake within thescope of
thisIntegrated Framework.
6. Theoperation ofthisIntegrated Framework willbereviewed bythesixagencies involved after
twoyears inthelightofexperience andtaking intoaccount theviews ofindividual least-developed
countries where ithasbeenapplied. Inconducting thisreview, theviews ofleast-developed countries '
other development partners willbesought. Areport ontheresults ofthisreview willbemade available
totheStates members ofUNCTAD andWTO Members through theappropriate channels.
8Each agency shall make appropriate arrangements tokeep itsmembers informed about theresults ofthe
evaluation exercises referred tointhissub-paragraph. Forexample, inthecaseoftheWTO reports willbe
made totheCommittee onTrade andDevelopment.WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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CHECK-LIST FOR CONDUCTING TRADE-RELATED
TECHNICAL COOPERATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Thischeck-list hasbeendrafted inpreparation fortheHigh-Level Meeting onLeast-Developed
Countries, called forbytheWTO Ministerial Conference inDecember 1996. TheHigh-Level Meeting
willtakeplace on27and28October 1997, inGeneva.
Itisintended toprovide governments oftheleastdeveloped countries withatooltofacilitate
thepreparation oftheirneeds assessments fortrade-related technical cooperation, aselaborated below.
Theobjective ofthecheck-list istoobtain anoverall appreciation oftheneeds fortechnical
cooperation intrade-related matters inleast-developed countries, broadly defined toinclude technical
assistance andhuman andinstitutional capacity building, bothintheimmediate andlonger run.The
results ofthisneeds assessment willserve asinputs todesign acoherent andintegrated framework
forexternal assistance tosupport trade-related activities ofleast-developed countries atalllevels,
including efforts toenhance thesupply response ofthesecountries. Theresulting framework willform
oneofthemainitems forconsideration attheHigh-Level Meeting inOctober; itisintended alsothat,
attheMeeting,theframeworkwillbeusedtoapplyacoherentandintegratedprogrammeoftrade-related
technical cooperation tomeettheneeds ofindividual least-developed countries.
While itisexpected thattheneeds assessment willbecarried outbytheleast-developed countries
themselves inorder toensure thattheprocess overall isproperly demand-driven, facilities forassistance
tothegovernments ofindividual least-developed countries incompleting theirneeds assessment can
bemade available uponrequest bythesixinternational organisations mostclosely involved inorganising
theHigh-Level Meeting (theInternational Monetary Fund, theInternational Trade Centre, UNCTAD,
UNDP, theWorld Bank andtheWTO). Requests forassistance ofthiskindshould besenttothe
Director, Development Division,WTO Secretariat, whowillforward therequests totheother five
agencies.
Thecheck-list isorganized under thefollowing headings:
A. Trade policy
B. Obstacles/impediments toLDC'sefforts toexpand trade:
(i) supply constraints:
- problemsrelatedtophysicalinfrastructuree.g.internaltransportation,shipping,
airtransport, ports, warehousing, telecommunications, etc.
- problems related toinstitutional capacity, including quality control
- inadequate investment, domestic andforeign.
(ii) trade promotion andtrade support services
(iii) inexternal markets
- gapintrade information;
- market access problems;
- marketing /distribution problems
- other problems inexport markets.
C. Technical assistance:
(i) Need fortechnical assistance
(ii) Newinformation/communication technologiesWT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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CHECK-LIST
A. Trade Policy
(a) What arethesectors thatyoubelieve have unexploited orunderexploited export
potential?
(b) Could youplease define yourcountry 'sperspective ofthereasons foranychanges
inthestructure anddirection ofexports andimports?
(c) What havebeentheobjectives oftrade policy inthemost recent period, compared
to,say,twodecades ago?
(d) What aretheMinistries incharge oftrade policy matters, including formulation,
implementation, enforcement andmonitoring? How iscoordination made? What
aretherespective roles oftherelevant Ministries (give particular attention totariff
policies andotherpolicies directly affecting exports andimports ofgoods andservices)?
(e) Howaretheprivate sector andacademic institutions associated withtheformulation
andconduct oftrade policy?
(f) What aretheinstitutions inyourcountry thatcanplayaroleinimplementation ofa
trade-related project atthelocallevel? State theirrespective roles.
(g) What arethemain lawsandregulations dealing withtrade policy -onexports and
imports? Please provide ashort description ofeach.
(h) What arethemain instruments oftrade policy -onexports andimports? Please
elaborate (e.g.onimport restrictions, thequestions might be:onwhatproducts are
there anyimport bans; onwhat products arethere quantitative import restrictions;
licensing requirements, etc.;whatisthehighest tariff ratecurrently inuse;arethere
anyexcisetaxes,other"domestic"taxesthatareapplieddifferentiallytoimportedgoods,
ortogoods ofatypethatareprincipally imported?).
(i) IncaseyouareaWTO Member orareintheprocess ofacceding, howisyourcountry
preparing itself tocomply withtheWTO Agreements?
(j) What isthestateoffamiliarity withtheWTO framework:
- among government andgovernment-related agencies?
- intheprivate sector?
(k) What areyourtechnical assistance requirements withregard toyourcompliance with
theWTO Agreements?
(l) Inwhich specific areasoftheWTO Agreements doyouhavetechnical assistance needs
(e.g.market access, agriculture, rules(anti-dumping, subsidies, import licensing, rules
oforigin, safeguards etc.), TBTandSPS, Services, TRIPs)?WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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(m) What isyourassessment ofyourexisting tradeanalysis andnegotiating capacities, both
multilateral andbilateral, inareas already covered bytheWTO Agreements andother
trade-related areas, e.g.competition policy andtrade andenvironment?
B. Obstacles toTrade Expansion
Obstacles totrade encompassing problems inexport markets, infrastructure, human capacities,
institutional bottlenecks, trade financing problems andgapsintrade information caninhibit
aleast-developed country fromtaking fulladvantage oftrading opportunities.
Supply constraints, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What arethemainbottlenecks inhibiting thedevelopment ofsustained export capacity
ofgoods andservices (e.g.customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management,
eliminationofcumbersomelegalandadministrativeprocedures,paucityofhumanskills,
access atinternational prices toimported inputs, orinadequate telecommunication,
portandtransport facilities etc.)?
- Land-locked countries mayfaceadditional problems, suchashaving toship
using costly orunreliable transport andports systems. Incasethisapplies
toyour country, please indicate such problems. What kindoftechnical
assistance would helpyouwork outthese problems?
(b) Arethereanyinstitutional bottlenecks, which mayimpede theefficient conduct ofyour
country 'stradepolicies? Provide details. Forexample, whataretheproblems perceived
bythedifferent actors, e.g.exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance
companies, quality control, transporters etc),professional associations andMinistries?
Areproblems mainly perceived intheareaof:
(i) human resources
(ii) management oftheinstitution
(iii) financial andmaterial resources
(iv) communication
(c) What arethemain bottlenecks toexport diversification?
(d) Ifinvestment intheproduction ofgoods andservices isinadequate, whatarethemain
reasons ?Please elaborate them (e.g.structural constraints, difficulties inattracting
foreign investment, limited enterprise development, financing, lackofappropriate
technology, etc)
(e) Isthereanational policy toencourage export-related investment opportunities? Please
elaborate. What arrangements areinplace forreviewing, drafting andnegotiating
contractual arrangements withforeign investors?
(f) What arethemainobstacles tothetransfer, development andacquisition oftechnology?
Isthere anynational policy/strategy inthisarea? Please elaborate.WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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(g) What areyourtechnical assistance orother assistance needs withrespect tosupply
constraints.
Trade Promotion andTrade Support Services
Trade promotion comprises anintegrated setoftechnical andfinancial services toenhance
theglobal competitiveness ofenterprises andthusfacilitate theirentry andincreasing participation in
international trade.
(h) Doyourenterprises, especially small andmedium enterprises, experience difficulties
inexpanding theirexports? What arethese problems inthemajor export sectors?
(i) What aretheproblems foryour enterprises inobtaining reliable andup-to-date
information onexport/import business opportunities?
(j) Canyourenterprises offerproducts ofinternationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging toforeign buyers? Ifnot,whataretheproblems?
(k) What problems, other thaninterms oftrade policy, doyouanticipate indeveloping
theexport ofservices (e.g.computer software, tourism)?
(l) What arethetechnical/professional problems encountered bytradesupport institutions
(e.g.trade promotion council, chamber ofcommerce, exporters association, etc)in
yourcountry inproviding theirservices toexport/import enterprises?
(m) What problems anddeficiencies areexperienced byenterprises intheirinternational
purchasing andinventory management?
(n) What arethepresent availability andarrangements fortrade finance facilities (e.g.
export credit guarantees, etc)? Arethere anyperceived deficiencies inthisarea?
(o) What arethemainproblems inthewayofimproving export/import management skills
ofyourbusiness enterprises? Doyouhavetraining programmes inthecountry? What
arethedeficiencies?
(p) Does yourtrade representation service actively promote yourtrade? What arethe
weaknesses?
(q) Briefly describe yourtechnical assistance needs intheareaoftrade promotion and
support services.
Market access
(r) What areyourmain market access problems?
(s) What specific problems orbarriers, andinwhich countries, aremosttroublesome for
yourexporters?
(t) Regional andsub-regional trading arrangements (RTAs): please listRTAs towhich
yourcountry belongs. Areyousatisfied withtheperformance withtheseRTAs? Please
statetheproblems ofeach. Doyouhavesuggestions onhowtosolve these?WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1
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(u) Arethere anyproblems inutilizing theexisting market access preferences, suchas
GSP, GSTP? Please statethenature ofproblems relating toeachofthese.
(v) What areyourtechnical assistance needs withrespect tomarket access?
C. Technical Assistance
Technical assistance isnormally provided todeveloping andleast-developed countries tobuild
orenhance theirhuman resources andinstitutional capacities, provide trade information and
trade-related legalsupport, aswellasimprove theirsupply capabilities inorder tomake them
more active players inthefieldofmultilateral trade.
(a) Totheextent thiskindofinformation iseasily available, could youplease briefly
describe whattrade-related assistance youhavereceived overthepastfiveyears from
bilateral andmultilateral sources andwhatprojects/programmes arepresently under
consideration inthisarea?
(b) Please summarize yourtechnical assistance needs aswellasother needs asreflected
inthischeck-list. Please rankthem interms ofpriority.
(c) Inthelightoftheinformation youhavebeenabletoprovide sofarinresponse tothe
questions inthischeck-list, whattypes ofinformation are,inyourview, stillmissing
orcould beimproved upon? Inorder toassist youinproviding thismissing
information, would youneedtechnical assistance?
(d) Does yourcountry havethetechnological capacity andhuman resources tomake use
ofthenewinformation/ communication technology toolssuchasCD-Rom, theInternet
etc.? What assistance would youneedtoenable yourcountry tousethese toolsin
thecontext oftraining and,more generally, inthecontext oftrade development?