RD/COMTD/AFT/24* 
21 November 2023  
 Page: 1/3 
Committee on Trade and Development  
(Aid for Trade)  Original:  English/anglais/inglés  
 
  
UNOFFICIAL ROOM DOCUMENT1 
COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT – 59TH SESSION ON AID FOR TRADE  
STATEMENT BY NEPAL ON BEHALF OF THE LDC GROUP  
14 November 2023  
 
 
Comité du commerce et du développement (Aide pour le commerce)  
 
DOCUMENT DE S ÉANCE NON OFFICIEL1 
COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT – 59TH SESSION ON AID FOR TRADE  
STATEMENT BY NEPAL ON BEHALF OF THE LDC GROUP  
14 November 2023  
 
 
 
Comité de Comercio y Desarrollo (Ayuda para el Comercio)  
 
DOCUMENTO DE SALA NO OF ICIAL1 
 
COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT – 59TH SESSION ON AID FOR TRADE  
STATEMENT BY NEPAL ON BEHALF OF THE LDC GROUP  
14 November 2023  
 
_______________   
 
* In Original language only/En langue originale seulement/En el idioma original solamente.  
1 Documents issued in the RD series are not official WTO documents. They usually appear in their 
language of submission and will not be translated systematically into the  working languages of the WTO. They 
are intended for use in WTO meeting rooms and are attributed an unofficial symbol for archiving purposes only.  
Les documents de la série RD ne sont pas des documents officiels de l 'OMC. Ils ne paraissent 
généralement qu e dans la langue dans laquelle ils ont été communiqués et ne seront pas systématiquement 
traduits dans les langues de travail de l'OMC. Ils sont destinés aux salles de réunion de l'OMC et une cote non 
officielle leur est attribuée à des fins d'archivage.  
Los documentos de la serie RD no son documentos oficiales de la OMC. Por lo general se distribuyen en 
el idioma en que han sido presentados y no se traduce n sistemáticamente a los idiomas de trabajo de la 
Organización. Se distribuyen para su uso en las sala s de reunión de la OMC y se les asigna una signatura no 
oficial a efectos de archivo únicamente.  RD/COMTD/AFT/24  
 
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  59TH SESSION ON AID FOR TRADE, THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND 
DEVELOPMENT  
Statement by Nepal on behalf  of the LDC Group  
14th November 2023  
Agenda item (II) Mainstreaming  
(b) Update on Members and Observers Trade and Development Strategy ( Bhutan’s  Export 
Developme nt Strategy)  
Thank you, chair, for giving me the floor.  
➢ I am delivering this statement on behalf of the LDC Group.  
➢  I would like to thank Director General Mr Sonam for the important updates. The LDC Group 
wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Bhutan for the informative and comprehensive 
presentation: these insights are of great value to us.  
➢ We are happy to take go od note that Bhutan has updated Diagnostic Trade Integrated Study 
(DTIS) and launched in 2021 which includes Bankable projects most needed for the national 
trade development.  
➢ Similarly, National Export Strategy was formulated and launched in 2022.The Nati onal Export 
Strategy and the DTIS recommendations are being mainstreamed into the national plans 
(13th  Five-Year Plan and 10 -year strategic plan of Bhutan) with strong focus being given to 
development of trade related, market expansion, trade diversificati on, enhancing exports, 
and increase of trade in services such as digital trade, tourism and investments.  
➢  LDC Group is happy to hear that Bhutan has expediated accession process to the WTO. LDC 
Group looks forward to welcome Bhutan as member of WTO as soon  as possible and extends 
our solidarity for smooth accession to the WTO. We also congratulate for the graduation 
from LDC category.  
➢ Finally, LDC Group would like to thank EIF and other agencies for their great support to bring 
the strategic policy papers a nd we urge for the continued support for the implementation, 
we also wish for best implementation of those policies.  
➢ Thank you chair.  
 
(b) Update on Members and Observers Trade and Development Strategy (The Gambia’s  
Green Recovery Focused NDP 2023 -2027)  
Thank you Chair for giving me the floor.  
I am delivering this statement on behalf of LDC Group  
➢ I would like to thank representative of the Gambia for the important presentations on behalf 
of excellency Permanent Secretary. LDC Group wishes to express its sin cere gratitude to The 
Gambia for the informative and comprehensive presentation on The Gambia’s Green 
Recovery Focused National Development Plan 2023 -2027.  
➢ Chair, as you might be aware that LDCs are the one which have been facing several challenges 
due to the climate change despite their minimum roles in the carbon emissions and 
environmental degradation.  
➢ In this regard, The Gambia has come up with Green Recovery Focused National Development 
Plan which includes the priority areas, indicators and outcomes, these are of course, great 
value to us. The development of Climate Finance Proposal to access trade related climate 
finance are insightful which will be able to receive the great attention from the development 
partners and we are hopeful that the implement ation of these projects will enhance climate 
smart production and resilient agriculture value chain.  
➢ Finally, LDC Group would like to thank EIF for its support and we urge for the continued 
support for the smooth implementation, we also wish for best impl ementation of the National 
Development Plan of the Gambia.  
➢ Thank you chair.  
 
Agenda Item (II) (c) Update on Activities of the Enhanced Integrated Framework  
➢ Thank you, Chair, for giving me the floor.  RD/COMTD/AFT/24  
 
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  ➢ LDC Group would like to thank EIF for the presentation an d updates. I appreciate your efforts 
to mainstreaming trade with the spirit of Aid for Trade through the phase one and phase 
two. 
➢ We welcome the EIF  Board’s decision on the utilisation of remaining funds more than 1 million 
USD for priority activities until March 2024.  
➢ Also, we would like to thank EIF for organizing EIF Global Forum during the WTO Public Forum 
where LDC Group also participated activel y. Views expressed by the speakers and 
experiences shared during the program have of course great value to the beneficiaries and 
donors.  
➢ Chair, for the purpose of the transparency, Task Force composed of LDC constituency and 
Donor Group is working to deve lop objective, program and institutional anchoring on the 
possible future of the EIF taking into the account of evaluation report and ODI option paper, 
LDC Group is hopeful that we come with amicable solution.  
➢ LDC Group extends its appreciation to the deve lopment partners which have been providing 
various assistance through EIF. I also take this opportunity to urge for EIF and development 
partners for the increasement of the aid for trade in line with the provision of Doha Action 
of Plan and SDGs 2030. I th ank you, chair.  
(I) RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES  
(a) Reports from International Financial Institutions: World Bank  
➢ Thank you chair.  
➢ LDC Group would like to thank the representative of the World Bank for the presentation 
highlighting the growth of commercial services.  
➢ Only a few LDCs have been able to increase the exports of commercial services in a 
reasonable value however most of the LD Cs share is still very low.  
➢  In total, the share of LDCs service export is less than one percent. Service sectors especially 
travel, transport and tourism were badly affected by covid 19 pandemic. We understand that 
the share of the service sector in total  employment is 31% in Low Income and 40% in Lower 
Middle -Income countries, very low compared to High Income and Upper Middle -Income 
countries, still agriculture sector is dominant in the Low Income and Upper Middle -Income 
countries.  
➢ Chair, we highly value the supports of World Bank in many areas including in trade sectors.  
➢ Digital divides have stood as the challenges for enhancing ecommerce and digital services 
in the LDCs. LDC Group urge World Bank to increase its support to the five areas as you 
have rig htly identified while considering the members’ needs and priorities at the centre.  
➢ I Thank you Chair.  
(a) Reports from International Financial Institutions: African Development Bank  
➢ Thank you, chair.  
LDC Group would like thank representatives of African D evelopment Bank for the important 
updates. LDC Group appreciates its supports and initiative for building resilient development, 
trade infrastructures and enhancing inclusive trade in the Africa. Thank you chair.  
(a) Reports from International Financial In stitutions: Asian Development Bank  
➢ Thank you chair.  
LDC Group would like thank representatives of Asian Development Bank for the important 
updates with highlighting some economic indicators in the region. We also thank for the 
study report which highlights trade financing gap, one of the most important areas t o be 
focused. I thank you chair.  
(I) RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES  
(b) Reports from Members, Observers and Observer organizations - China  
I would like to thank my colleagues from China for the updates on China’s support to the LDCs, we 
appreciate for this support and urge for the continued support. I thank you, chair.  
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