WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
28 October  2021 
(21-8207 ) Page: 1/59 
Committee on Trade and Development    
 
 
PARTICIPATION OF D EVELOPIN G ECONOMIES IN THE GLOBAL TRADING SYSTEM  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
TABLE OF CONTENTS  
1   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 2 
2   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  4 
3   MERCHANDISE TRADE DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN 2018 AND 2020  .............................  4 
3.1   Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
3.2   Major traders  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  8 
3.3   Merchandise trade by product  ................................ ................................ ...................... 11 
3.4   Agricultural (AoA) and Non -Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) goods  ............................... 14 
3.5   Major trading partners of developing economies  ................................ ............................. 20 
3.6   "South -South" trade  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...21 
4   TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN 2018 AND 2020  ........  22 
4.1   Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 22 
4.2   Major traders  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 24 
4.3   Trade in  commercial services by sector  ................................ ................................ ......... 27 
4.4   "South -South" trade  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...33 
APPENDIX ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  35 
  
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  1  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
Merchandise trade  volume2 in developing economies contracted by 2.9% in 2020, 
less than in developed economies ( -7.5%).  In the period 2 018-2020, world trade and GDP 
growth fluctuated strongly as the global economy experienced multiple economic shocks affecting 
developing and developed economies alike. World GDP growth slowed from 3.1% in 2018 to 2.5% 
in 2019, partly because of heightened trad e tensions. GDP g rowth then fell by 3.5% in 2020 due to 
the COVID -19 pandemic . World merchandise trade volume expanded by 3.1% in 2018, slowing down 
to 0.1% in 2019 , to drop by 5.3% in 2020.  
In the second quarter of 2020, exports volumes plunged 18.3% quar ter-on-quarter 
in developed economies, driving global merchandise exports down by 12.9%.  Trade in 
developing economies, however, did not contract as much, as exports fell 5.8% quarter -on-quarter 
and imports declined by 8.8%. Global merchandise trade volume  rebounded by 12.1% in the third 
quarter of 2020 as economic activity resumed.  
Developing Asia was the main driver for merchandise trade volume performance of 
developing economies . Developing Asia's exports were up 3.8% year -on-year in 2018, 1.2% 
in 2019, and continued to record a 1.7% growth in 2020. Merchandise imports volumes of the region 
grew in 2018 (5.7%) but fell in 2019 (0.6%) and 2020 (0.8%). By contrast, t he Middle East recorded 
the sharpest declines during the pandemic with exports falling by 11 .6% year -on-year in 2020 and 
imports contracting by 13.9% yea r-on-year. Merchandise exports from Africa, sensitive to 
commodity price fluctuations, dropped by 8.8% in 2020 in volume terms, which further constrained 
their ability to import, leading to a ste ep decline of 11.1% year -on-year. 
Developing economies' m erchandise exports dropped by 6% in nominal terms 
in 2020, less than exports of the rest of the world ( -9%).  In 2020 the value of  global  
merchandise exports declined by 8 % as the COVID -19 pandemic had devastating consequences 
across the world. Merchandise trade of fuels and mining products suffered from weak prices in 2019, 
while trade in manufactured goods experienced a smaller de crease . Merchandise exports of 
developing economie s fell to USD  7.6 trillion  in 2020 , and imports were down 8% to USD 7.2  trillion . 
The share of developing economies' merchandise exports in world merchandise exports grew 
from 43.0% in 2018 to 43.9% in 2020, the sh are of imports from 40.5% in 2018 to 41.7% in 2020.  
China, the Republic of Korea , and Mexico remained the top traders amongst 
developing economies.  The order  of the top four exporters did not change between 2018 
and 2020, with China being the top exporter with a share of 34% in 2020, followed by the Republic 
of Korea (share of 7%), Mexico ( share of 5%) and Singapore ( share of 5%). Amongst the top 
15 exporters only Viet Nam, Chinese Taipei , and China recorded export gr owth in 2020 . Regarding 
imports, the top two importers in both 2018 and 2020 were China (share of 29% in 2020) and the 
Republic of Korea (share of 7%). Mexico moved from 4th position in 2018 to 3rd position in 2020 
(share of 5%), while India dropped from 3rd in 2018 to 4th in 2020 ( share of 5%). Only four out of 
the top 15 importers had higher imports in 2020 than in 2019 . 
Merchandise  exports of the developing economies continue to be  dominated by 
exports of manufactured goods.  Between 2018 and 2020, the sh are of manufactures in their 
total merchandise exports increased from 70% to 73%. China, the Republic of Korea , and Mexico 
were the top exporters of manufactured goods.  During the same period, the share of fuels dropped 
the most, notably from 21% in 2018 t o only 10% in 2020.  Apart from markedly reduced demand 
for fuels due to the pandemic - mainly from the travel restrictions imposed in many countries – this 
is also an effect of the 2020 decline in energy prices ( -30%).  In 2020, soybeans were the most -
trade d agricultural product and monolithic integrated circuits the most -traded non -agricultural 
product of developing economies . 
The United States, the European Union and China remained the top three 
merchandise trading partners of developing economies . The order of the top 10 destinations 
of the merchandise exports of developing economies remained the same between 2018 and 2020, 
led by the United States (share of 17% in 2020), the European Union (share of 14% in 2020) and 
 
2 Measured as an average of imports and exports.  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  China (share of 13% in 2020).  For impor ts, the top three origins in 2020 were China (share of 20%), 
the European Union (share of 14%) and the United States (share of 11%) . 
Developing Asia and trade in manufactures are the main drivers of South -South 
trade.  Trade  of developing economies with other developing economies or "South -South" trade has 
grown from an estimated share of 53% in 2018 to a share of 55% in 2020, amounting to about 
USD 3,853 billion in 2020 (down from USD 4,601 billion in 2018). In 2020, around 80% of total 
intra South -South  exports were generated by Developing Asia, slightly more than 5% by South and 
Central America and the Caribbean and about 5% by the Middle East.  
Developing economies' commercial services exports dropped 25% in 2020, more 
than in the rest of the world ( -18%). Restrictions to cross -border movement of people, border 
closures, and strict lockdown measures implemented to fight the COVID -19 pandemic hit hard 
services, particularly in developing economies . Services exports dropped 25% to US D 1451 billion 
in 2020,  due to collapsing international travel and transport services . This represents an export loss 
of US D 483 billion for developing economies, more than four times higher than the loss recorded 
during the 2008 -2009 global financial crisis (US D 102 billion). As a result, t he contribution of 
developing economies to world exports of commercial services declined from 30.9% in 2018 
to 29.5% in 2020. Participation in global  imports also fell from 37.8% in 2018 to 35.2% in 2020.  
China, India, and Singapore ranked bot h as the leading services exporters and 
importers.  Services trade remains concentrated with the first 15 economies, predominantly Asian, 
accounting for almost 80% of services exports and 76% of imports in 2020.  China, India, and 
Singapore were the leading traders both in 2018 and in 2020, although in a different order.  
No African country appeared in the top 15 developing traders,  the first is Egypt at the 18th position 
as exporter and Nigeria at the 17th as services importer  in 2020 .  
In 2020, d eveloping economies' travel exports dropped 66% in 2020 as 
international tourism collapsed . Travel receipts contracted to US D 205 billion from 
USD 609 billion in 2019, dropping 66%, a more pronounced decline than in developed economies 
(-59%). Developing Asia saw the sharpest fall ( -72%), while in the Middle East's travel exports 
decreased less than average  (-54%). The relative share of travel in developing economies' services 
exports decreased  from 31.1% in 2018 to 14.1% in 2020 . 
Transport services trade decli ned by 18% in 2020, with large differences among 
developing regions . In Africa transport exports dropped 21%, 26% in Latin America and the 
Caribbean, 32% in the Middle East , and 39% in Developing Europe. These declines are two or three 
times sharper than those recorded in Developing Asia, the largest trader ( -10%).  With a 25% 
increase in  transport  exports i n 2020, China became the leading developing transport exporter, 
overta king Singapore.    
Developing economies' exports of other commercial services were resilient during 
the pandemic . In comparison with the rest of the world, developing economies' exports of other 
commercial services were more dynamic prior to the pandemic, a nd resilient in 2020. In 2018, 
exports were up 14% vs. 10% in other economies, +4% vs. 2% in 2019, and decreased only 
by 0.3% in 2020 compared to a 3% decline in the rest of the world.  Computer services saw rapid 
export growth in many developing economies,  boosted by the demand for digitalization and the shift 
to remote working . 
"South -South" trade  accounted for 48.6% of developing economies' services trade 
in 2019 . According to estimates in the WTO-OECD Balanced Trade in Services (BaTIS) dataset , the 
share  of South -South trade  in developing economies' services trade  reached 48.6% in 2019, the 
latest available year, up from 40.7% in 2005.  South -South services trade is dominated by 
intra-Developing Asian flows (58.1% in 2019).  
  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  2  INTRODUCTION  
This document has been prepared by the Secretariat to assist the Committee on Trade and 
Development (CTD) in meeting its requirement to continuously review the participation of developing 
economy Members in the multilateral trading system  (MTS) . It updates prev ious studies on this topic 
produced for the Committee since 1997 . The last report was produced in  2019.3 The first part of the 
current report provides an overview of developing economies'  merchandise and  trade in commercial 
services since 201 8. The report concludes with  the statistical appendix contain ing specific tabulations 
as well as  the composition of regions and economic groupings used in this report .4 
3  MERCHANDISE TRADE DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN 201 8 AND 20 20 
3.1  Overview  
Merchandise trade volume5 in developing economies contracted by 2.9% in 2020, less 
than in developed economies ( -7.5%)  
During the period 2018 -2020, growth in world trade and output fluctuated strongly as the 
global economy experienced m ultiple economic shocks affecting both developing and developed 
economies. World GDP growth slowed from 3.1% in 2018 to 2.5% in 201 9. Growth then fell to -3.5% 
in 2020 due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Among developing economies, China recorded  positive 
output  growth of 2.3% in 2020 despite the broader global recession, an outcome largely attributable 
to the country's strong pandemic response. Despite being hard hit early in the pandemic, Brazil 
recorded a relatively modest GDP decline of 4 .1% last year. By con trast, India's GDP dropped 
precipitously, with output falling by 7.3%, reflecting a sharp contraction in the country's services 
sector. In 2020, the overall output recorded by developing economies declined by 2.9%, less than 
the 4.3% drop registered by dev eloped economies.  
Global merchandise trade slowed due to heightened trade tensions and uncertainty relating to 
Brexit . World merchandise trade volume growth decelerated to 3.1% in 2018 and then to 0.1% 
in 2019. Global trade then dropped 5.3%  due to strict lockdowns and travel restrictions to limit the 
spread of COVID -19. Merchandise export volume s of developing economies increased by 3. 7% 
in 2018, slowed to +0.5% in 2019 , to plunge by 1.5% in 2020.  On the imports side, following a 4.2% 
increas e in 2018, developing economies' merchandise import volumes recorded negative growth 
in 2019 ( -0.4%) and contracted more than exports, dropping by 4.3% in 2020.  
On a quarterly basis, merchandise trade export volume of developing economies (including the 
Commonwealth of Independent States)6 plateaued in the third quarter of 2018 and remained flat 
until the fourth quarter of 2019, when it fell 2.6% quarter -on-quarter. Shortly after, the spread of 
the coronavirus compelled manufacturing facilities to halt in China in the first quarter of 2020, 
causing exports to drop by 2.9% globally.  
In the second quarter  of 2020 , as the health crisis became more severe and the disease 
widespread, exports plunged 18.3% quarter -on-quarter in developed economies, driving global  
merchandise exports down by 12.9%. Trade in developing economies, however, did not contract as 
much, as exports fell 5.8% quarter -on-quarter and imports declined by 8.8%, as many countries, 
especially in developing Asia, implemented effective pandemic res ponse measures. This kept 
manufacturing supply chains operating, allowing production of necessary goods, including medical 
supplies and equipment, to continue.  
 
3 The 2019 document is WT/COMTD/W/251.  
4 Data published in this document (unless otherwise indicated) are derived from the WTO's World Trade 
Statisti cal Review 2021 and the WTO Stats portal ( WTO Stats ). For more information on the definitions of 
indicators and detailed sources of data, see the Technical Notes in the above -mentioned report or the WTO's 
Statistics w ebsite.  
5 Measured as an average of imports and exports.  
6 Refers to the Commonwealth of Independent States, including certain associate and former member 
States.  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 1: World, developed, developing and CIS * economies quarterly merchandise trade 
volume, 201 5-2021  
(Index, 2015=100, seasonally adjusted)  
 
* Refers to the Commonwealth of Independent States, including certain associate and former 
member  States.  
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates . 
 
Regions  that export oil disproportionately  suffered large declines in both merchandise exports 
and imports  in the second quarter of 2020 . The fall in export volume can be explained by reduced 
global demand for fuel as international and domestic travel was restricted. A 38% quarter -on-quarter 
decline in crude oil prices in the same period also reduced export earnings of these economies, 
thereby limiting their capacity to import.  
Trade rebounded strongly in the third quarter of 2020. As the first wave of COVID -19 waned, 
lockdowns were eased in some p arts of the world and many normal economic activities resumed. 
Innovation in information technology allowed employees to work remotely, but also increased 
demand for computers and other IT -related goods. Trade in medical supplies, food, and other 
necessiti es held up well during the pandemic, moderating the decline in the second quarter.  
World merchandise trade as measured by the average of exports and imports registered a 
sharp 12.1% quarter -on-quarter rebound in the third quarter  of 2020 . Among developing economies, 
the 9.9% rebound in exports in the third quarter was smaller than the global average increase due 
the fact that the decline in the previous period was smaller. Similarly, developing econom ies' 
imports, which saw a 5.4% quarter -on-quarter increas e in Q3 2020 compared to Q2 2020. In the 
final quarter of 2020, merchandise trade continued to rise as the news of the arrival of effective 
vaccines boosted business and consumer confidence.  
In developing economies, export and import volume growth consiste ntly declined 
between  2017 and 2020.  Among developing regions, merchandise exports volumes of the Middle 
East were the hardest hit by the pandemic, with a decline of 11.6% year-on-year in 2020 reflecting 
the significant shock to global oil demand as a result of the pandemic. Latin America and the 
Caribbean also registered significant declines in exports of 8.8%  year-on-year. On the imports side, 
Middle  East recorded the sharpest drop (-13.9%  year-on-year) , followed by Latin America  and the 
Caribbean  whose imports dropped by 12.3% due to the pandemic. Merchandise exports from Africa , 
sensitive to commodity price fluctuations , dropped by 8.8% in 2020 in volume terms, which further 
constrain ed their ability to import, leading to a steep decline of 11.1% year -on-year. 
Developing Asia was the main driver for merchandise trade volume  performance of developing 
economies during the period. Developing Asia 's exports were up 3.8% year -on-year in 2018, 1.2% 
in 2019, and continued to record a 1.7% growth in 2020. Merchandise imports volumes of the 
region expanded 5.7% year -on-year in 201 8 but slowed significantly , by -0.6% in 2019 , due to 
trade tensions. However, Developing Asia 's imports recorded a lower contraction than other regions 
in 2020 during the pandemic, by only -0.8%, as imports growth had already considerably 
decelerated in 2019.  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart  2: Contrib utions of regions to trade volume growth of developing economies, 
2015-2020 
 (Percentage share)  
 
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
Merchandise exports of developing economies dropped by 6%  in nominal terms  in 2020, 
less than exports of the rest of the world (-9%) 
3.10.   In 2020 the nominal value of total world merchandise exports declined by 8 % as the 
COVID -19 pandemic had devastating consequences across the world. Merchandise trade of fuels and 
mining products suffered from weak prices in 2019, while trade in manufactured goods experienced 
a smaller decline.  
3.11.   In 2018, merchandise exports of developing economies7 showed a year -on-year increase 
of 11% (versus 10% for the rest of the world [RoW]) to USD 8.3 trillion, followed by a 3% decrease 
to USD 8.1 trillion in 2019 (in line with RoW exports that also fell by 3 %) and a decline of 6% 
to USD 7.6 trillion in 2020 (versus 9% for RoW) - see Chart 3). Developing economies' imports 
followed a similar trend , +12% to USD 8.0 trillion in 2018, -3% to USD 7.8 trillion in 2019 and -8% 
to USD  7.2 trillion in 2020. The share of developing economies' merchandise exports in world 
merchandise exports grew from 43.0% in 2018 to 43.9% in 2020, the share of imports from 40.5% 
in 2018 to 41.7% in 2020 (see Chart 6).  
3.12.   In 2018, merchandise exports of developing economies8 showed a year-on-year increase 
of 11% (versus 10% for the rest of the world [RoW] ) to USD 8.3 trillion (see Chart 5) , followed by 
a 3% decrease  to USD 8.1 trillion  in 2019 (in line with RoW exports that also fell by 3%) and a 
decline of 6%  to USD 7.6 trillion  in 20 20 (versus 9% for RoW). Developing economies' imports 
followed a similar trend (+12%  to USD 8.0 trillion  in 2018, -3% to USD 7.8 trillion  in 2019 and -8% 
to USD  7.2 trillion in 2020).  The share of developing economies' merchandise exports in world 
merchand ise exports grew from 43.0% in 2018 to 43.9% in 2020, the share of imports from 40.5% 
in 2018 to 41.7% in 2020 (see Chart 6).  
  
 
7 Excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
8 Excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
Exports Imports
2.02.55.5
3.6
0.5-1.5
-6.0-4.0-2.00.02.04.06.08.0
-6.0-4.0-2.00.02.04.06.08.0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Developing Asia Latin America and the Carribean Middle East Africa Developing Europe Developing economies1.2 -0.16.9
4.3
-0.4 -3.9
-6.0-4.0-2.00.02.04.06.08.0
-6.0-4.0-2.00.02.04.06.08.0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 3: Merchandise trade of developing economies * and the rest of the world , 
2018-2020 
(USD billion)  
 
* Excluding re-exports of Hong Kong, China.  
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD.  
 
Chart 4: Merchandise trade of developing economies* , 201 8-2020 
(Percentage share in world trade)  
 
* Excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD.  
 
3.13.   As seen in Chart 5, the second quarter  of 2020  was the most affected by the pandemic, with 
exports of the Middle East ( largely  fuels) reach ing only 52% of the level of the first quarter of 2018. 
African exports were 41% below the 2018Q1 -level, exports of Latin America 23% below , and 
the NICs6 15% below. World trade on average was 21% below the reference period in the second 
quarter of 2020. The only region with higher values in the second quarter  of 2020 was other 
developing Asia (3% above 2018Q1 -level). Starting with the third quarter of 2020, world trade 
recovery was in sight, and in the last quarter of 2020, it exceeded  by 4% the value of 2 018Q1. The 
highest level was recorded for other developing economies whose exports were 34% above the 
reference period in the fourth quarter of 2020. However, e xports of Africa and the Middle East 
remained  below 2018 levels (Middle East 25% below 2018Q1, Afri ca 17% below).  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 5: Quarterly merchandise trade value of developing economies * by region, 
2018-2020 
(Indices 201 8Q1 = 100, not seasonally adjusted)  
 
* Excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates . 
 
3.2  Major  traders  
China, the Republic of Korea , and Mexico remained the top traders amongst developing 
economies  
Chart 6 shows the top fifteen developing merchandise exporters and importers for 2018 
and 2020. The order  of the top four exporters did not change between 2018 and 2020, with China 
as the top exporter with a share of 34 .0% in 2020 (up from 29.8% in 2018), followed by the Republic 
of Korea (share of 7 .3% in 2018 and 6.7% in 2020), Mexico (5 .4% in 2018 and 5.5% in 2020) and 
Singapore (5 .0% in 2018 and 4.8% in 2020). The United Arab Emirates, which held the 5th place 
in 2018 ( 4.7%) moved down to the 6th position in 2020 (4 .2%), while Chinese Taipei increased its 
ranking from the 6th place in 2018 (4.0%) to the 5th in 2020 ( 4.6%). Among the remaining  major 
exporters Viet Nam improved its position the most  – due to its increasing role in global value chains , 
from the top 11 in 2018 ( 2.9%) up to top 7 in 2020 ( 3.7%). The top 15 exporters covered 8 0.8% 
of all merchandise exports of the developing economies in 2018 and 8 3.6% in 2020. Thus, country 
concentration has increased during the reference period.  
Regarding imports, the top two importers in both 2018 and 2020 were China (share of 26 .5% 
in 2018 and of 2 8.7% in 2020) and the Republic of Korea (share of 6.6% in 2018 and 6.5% in 2020). 
Mexico moved from the 4th place in 2018 ( 5.9%) to the 3rd position in 2020 (5 .5%), while India 
dropped from the 3rd in 2018 (6 .4%) to the 4th in 2020 (5 .2%). As for e xports, Viet Nam moved up 
the most, from the 9th position in 2018 ( 2.9%) to the 7th position in 2020 ( 3.7%). The top 
15 importers covered 7 6.6% of developing economies' imports in 2018 and 78 .1% in 2020. Imports 
are less concentrated within t he top 15 trad ers than exports.  
The only African economy among the top 15 exporters in 2020 was South Africa ( 15th in 2020 , 
up from  the 16th place in 2018). None of the top 15 merchandise import ers was from Africa . 
South  Africa was the first, holding the 17th position in both 2018 and 2020.  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 6: Top 15 developing economies'  merchandise exporters and importers, 201 8 
and 2020 * 
(Percentage shares)  
 
* Excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates . 
 
Among the top 15 exporters only Viet Nam, Chinese Taipei and China recorded export 
growth in 2020  
3.17.   In 2019, developing economies ' exports  decreased by 2.8% - more than world exports 
(-2.6%) – and in 2020 by 6.0% (less than world exports, -7.5%). Chart 7 shows the annual growth 
rates of the top 15 exporters for 2019 and 2020. In 2019, five out of the fifteen top exporters had 
registered export increases, with Viet Nam (+8.4% against 2018), Mexico (+2.2%) and Turkey 
(+2.1%) showing  highest annual percentage ch anges, while the highest annual decreases were 
observed for the Kingdom of Saudi -Arabia ( -11.1%), the Republic of Korea ( -10.4%) and Indonesia 
(-6.9%). In 2020, only three out of the fifteen were able to raise their export values, namely Viet 
Nam (+7.0%), Chinese Taipei (+5.0%) and China (+3.6), while all the other top exporters suffered 
losses for their exports. The highest reductions in 2020 were observed for the oil -exporters 
Kingdom  of Saudi -Arabia ( -33.5%) and the United Arab Emirates ( -18.0%).  
China , 29.8%
Korea, Rep. of , 7.3%
Mexico , 5.4%
Singapore , 5.0%United Arab 
Emirates , 4.7% Chinese Taipei , 4.0%India , 3.9%Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of , 3.5%Thailand , 3.0%Malaysia , 3.0%Viet Nam , 2.9%Brazil , 2.9%Indonesia , 2.2%Turkey , 2.1%Iran, 1.2%Others , 19.2%
China , 34.0%
Korea, Rep. of , 
6.7%
Mexico , 5.5%
Singapore , 4.8%Chinese Taipei , 
4.6%United Arab 
Emirates , 4.2%Viet Nam , 3.7%India , 3.6%Malaysia , 3.1%Thailand , 3.0%Brazil , 2.8%Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of , 2.3%Turkey , 2.2%Indonesia , 2.1%South Africa , 
1.1%Others , 16.4%2018 2020
EXPORTS
China , 26.5%
Korea, Rep. of , 6.6%
India , 6.4%
Mexico , 5.9%
Singapore , 4.6%Chinese Taipei , 3.5%United Arab 
Emirates , 3.2%Thailand , 3.1%Viet Nam , 2.9%Turkey , 2.9%Malaysia , 2.7%Indonesia , 2.3%Brazil , 2.3%Hong Kong, China 
(retained imp.) , 1.9%Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of , 1.7%Others , 23.4%
China , 28.7%
Korea, Rep. of , 
6.5%
Mexico , 5.5%
India , 5.2%
Singapore , 4.6%Chinese Taipei , 
4.0%Viet Nam , 3.7%United Arab 
Emirates , 3.2%Turkey , 3.1%Thailand , 2.9%Malaysia , 2.7%Brazil , 2.3%Indonesia , 2.0%Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of , 
1.9%Hong Kong, 
China 
(retained 
imp.) , 1.9%Others , 21.9%IMPORTSWT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 7: Top 15 developing economies' merchandise exporters , 2019 and 2020 * 
(Annual percentage change ) 
 
* Excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates . 
 
Only four out of the top 15 importers had higher imports in 2020 than in 2019   
The annual import developments of the top 15 importers amongst the developing economies 
are shown in Chart 8. In 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi -Arabia (+11.7%), Viet Nam (+7.0%), the 
United Arab Emirates (+2.4%) and Chinese Taipei (+0.3%) recorded annual incre ases of their 
imports, while all the other top importers imported less than in 2018. One year later, in 2020, only 
three out of the fifteen top importers imported more than in the previous year, notably Turkey 
(+4.4%), Viet Nam (+3.7%) and Chinese Taipei ( +0.3%). All the other top importers imported less 
goods than in 2019, with India's ( -23.3%) and Indonesia's ( -17.3%) imports falling the most.  
  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 8: Top 15 developing economies' merchandise importers , 2019 and 2020 * 
(Annual percentage change)  
 
* Excluding Hong Kong, China imports for re -exports.  
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates . 
 
3.3  Merchandise trade by product  
The share of fuels in developing economies' exports fell from 21% in 2018 to 10% in  2020 , 
while the share of office and telecom equipment jumped from 21% to 26%  
Merchandise exports of the developing economies continue to be  dominated by manufactured 
goods. Total manufactures exports of developing economies  were estimated at USD 5,570 billion 
in 2020. Between 2018 and 2020, the share of manuf actures in their total merchandise exports 
increased from 70% to 73% (see Chart 11). During the same period, the share of fuels dropped the 
most, from 21% in 2018 to only 10% in 2020. Apart from markedly reduced demand for fuels due 
to the pandemic - mainl y from the travel restrictions imposed in many countries – this is also an 
effect of the 2020 decline in energy  prices ( -30%). As the COVID pandemic has also had a major 
impact on both demand (drops in sales) and supply (production chain disruption s) for a utomotive 
manufacturers , the share of transport equipment also decreased, from 7% in 2018 to 5% in 2020 . 
The demand for office and telecom equipment on the other hand surged during the pandemic: the 
share of this product group in developing economies' expo rts jumped from 21% in 2018 to 26% 
in 2020.  The shares of food, raw materials and non -fuel minerals remained quite stable 
between  2018 and 2020 (generally steady  demand and prices).  
  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 9: Developing economies' exports by product, 201 8 and 2020 
(Percentage share)  
 
Source:  UN Comtrade database (2020: importer data) . 
China, the Republic of Korea , and Mexico were the top exporters of manufactured goods  
3.20.   Among developing regions, developing Asia continues to lead in exports of manufactured 
goods.  The l atest WTO estimates show that the region account ed for 83% of the developing 
economies ' total manufacture exports in 201 8, for 82% in 2019 and for 85% in 2020 , of which over 
half were machinery and transport equipment, mostly office and telecommunication equipment.  
3.21.   In 20 20, China and the Republic of Korea were the top exporters of manufactured goods 
amongst the developing economies (see Chart 10), followed by Mexico.  In 20 20, manufactur e 
exports of China , the Republic of Korea, and Mexico  were estimated to total USD 2 ,423 billion , 
USD 458 billion,  and USD  325 billion respectively  (see Appendix Table 5) . While China's exports 
expanded by 4% in 2020, the exports of the Republic of Korea were down by 3% and 
Mexico 's exports by 11%. Out of the seven other top 10 exporters, four (Viet Nam, +9 %; 
Chinese  Taipei,  +8%; Malaysia, +3%; Singapore, +0.3%) recorded annual increases in their 
manufactures' exp orts in 2020, while the remaining three (India, -15%; Turkey, -7%; Thailand -2%) 
suffered decreases.  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 10: Top 10 developing economies' exporters of manufactured goods, 2018 -2020 * 
(Billion dollars)  
 
* Excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
Source:  UN Comtrade database.  
 
Energy prices suffered most from the pandemic while prices for  minerals/ metals and  
food/beverages went up  
 Exchange rates and commodity prices strongly influence nominal dollar values of 
international trade flows. The upward trend of energy prices of the two preceding years came to a 
halt first in 2019 with a drop of 1 5%. The COVID -19 pandemic with its effects on international travel 
and supply chains resulted in a steep decline of demand for fuels; energy prices declin ed further  
by 31% in 2020  (see Chart 13). On the contrary, prices of food and beverages  grew by 2% (demand 
for food/beverages remained stable during the pandemic)  and prices of minerals and non-ferrous 
metals  (excl. crude petroleum ) grew by 5% (demand was higher than supply)  in 2020  
(-3% and +4% in 2019 respectively).  Prices of agricultural raw materials decreased slightly, by 3%  
in 2020 ( -5% in 2019) . 
  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 11: Selected flows in developing economies' trade , 201 8 and 20 20, and world 
prices, 2019-2020 
(Annual percentage change ) 
 
Source:  Trade flows: WTO estimates based on UN Comtrade and Trade Data Monitor (TDM), prices: IMF.  
3.23.   For fuel s and mining exports , total exports of developing economies  were estimated at 
USD 1,130  billion  in 20 20. Due to the fall in prices between 201 8 and 2020 , developing 
economies'  fuels and mining products exports dropped  significantly , by 14% and 26% respectively 
in 201 9 and 20 20. These export values follow ed the trend in  energy prices, which de creased  by 15% 
in 2019 and 31% in 2020. According to the latest estimates, the share of the Middle East in total 
mining exports of developing economies  remained quite stable, account ing for an estimated average 
of 39 % between 2018 to 2020. The top two Middle East  traders , the United  Arab Emirates and 
the Kingdom  of Saudi Arabia were estimated to have exported a total of USD 368 billion in 2018, 
USD 429 billion  in 2019  (+17% against 2018)  and USD 2 90 billion in 2020  (-32%). They were closely 
followed by  Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait  which generated a combined total amount of USD 224 billion  
in 2018, USD  197 billion in 2019 ( -12%) and USD 128 billion in 2020 ( -35%) in fuels and mining  
exports . 
3.24.   In terms of imports, China, India, the Republic of Korea, Singapore , and the 
United  Arab Emirates  were the top importers of fuels and mining products. Their combined imports 
totalled to USD 870 billion  in 2020 ( -18% against 2019),  accounting for 65% of total  fuels and  
mining imports  (USD 1,330 billion)  of develop ing economies  in 2020 (66% in 2019) . China imported 
USD 5 28 billion in fuels and mining products in 2 020 ( -8% against 2019)  and India imported  
USD 124 billion  (-30%) . Other major importers in 2020 amongst developing economies were  
Chinese Taipei  (USD 45 billion;  -25%), Turkey (USD 45 billion; -20%)  Thailand 
(USD  37 billion; -14%), Malaysia (USD 35 billion, -19%) and Mexico (USD 34 billion; -34%) . 
3.25.   In agriculture,  developing economies exports and imports in 20 20 were estimated to have 
reached USD 654 billion and USD 667 billion respectively. Developing Asia and Latin America 
together account for around  80% of agriculture exports of the developing economies  in 2020. In 
Developing Asia, top exporters of food namely China, Indonesia, Thailand, India , and Viet Nam lead 
the region with their combined 2020 agriculture exports totalling USD 2 35 billion  or 37% of the 
group's agriculture exports . In Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina , and Chile lead agriculture 
exports with combined exports of USD 1 91 billion  or a share of 29% of developing economies ' total 
agricultural exports . On the import side, China once again leads the group as top importer in 2020 
of agriculture products among developing economies . Its share in total agricultural imports of 
developing economies  increased to 32%, from 27% in 2018 . 
3.4  Agricultural (AoA) and Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) goods  
In 2020, soybeans were the most -traded agricultural product and monolithic integrated 
circuits the most -traded non -agricultural product of developing economies  
3.26.   Table 1 lists the top 20 agricultural products expor ted by developing economies in 2020. 
Soybeans (HS 12.01.00) were in 1st position in both 2018 and 2020, reaching a share of 8% among 
all agricultural exports of developing economies in 2020 (annual growth in 2020: -0.6% 
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  against  2019), followed by coffee (H S 09.01.11) in 2nd position (3rd in 2018) with a share of 3%  
(-17.7% in 2020) and maize (HS 10.05.90) in 3rd position (7th in 2018) with a share of 3% (+14.3% 
in 2020).  
3.27.   The biggest improvement in terms of rank within the top 20 products was observed for 
sunflower seeds (HS 15.12.11) which  improved its position from 27th in 2018 to 19th in 2020, while 
semi-milled/wholly milled rice  (HS 10.06.30) dropped from 5th position in 2018 to 11th in 2020.  
3.28.   Altogether, the top 20 products covered a share of 43% in total agricultural exports of 
developing economies in 2020.  
Table 1: Top 20 exported agricultural products (AoA) of developing economies, 2020  
(Rank, billion dollars and percentage)  
Rank 
(2020)  Rank 
(2018)  HS02 
code  Commodity descri ption  Value 
(USD 
billion), 
2020  Share in 
total AoA 
exports 
(%), 
2020  Annual 
percentage 
change 
(%), 2020  
1 1 120100  Soya beans, whether or not broken  40 8.2%  -0.6 
2 3 090111  Coffee, not roasted, not 
decaffeinated  15 3.1%  -17.7 
3 7 100590  Maize (corn), other than seed  15 3.0%  14.3 
4 4 151190  Palm oil, other than crude, & 
fractions thereof , whether or not 
ref. but n ...  15 3.0%  -17.1 
5 2 230400  Oil-cake & oth. solid residues, 
whether or not ground/in pellets, 
from extr ...  15 3.0%  -20.2 
6 8 210690  Food preps., n.e.s.  13 2.6%  0.5 
7 9 020230  Meat of bovine animals, frozen, 
boneless  12 2.6%  25.4 
8 6 080300  Bananas, incl. plantains, fresh/dried  11 2.2%  -23.5 
9 10 151110  Palm oil, crude  11 2.2%  12.6 
10 12 180100  Cocoa beans, whole/broken, 
raw/roasted  8 1.6%  -7.1 
11 5 100630  Semi-milled/wholly milled rice, 
whether or not polished/glazed  7 1.5%  -48.9 
12 11 170111  Cane sugar, raw, in solid form, not 
cont. added flavouring/colouring 
matter ...  7 1.5%  -19.6 
13 15 220300  Beer made from malt  6 1.2%  -11.4 
14 16 020714  Cuts & edible offal of species Gallus 
domesticus, frozen  5 1.1%  -15.7 
15 17 080610  Grapes, fresh  5 1.1%  -15.5 
16 20 080440  Avocados, fresh/dried  5 1.0%  -2.2 
17 21 520100  Cotton, not carded/combed  5 1.0%  5.5 
18 13 240220  Cigarettes cont. tobacco  5 1.0%  -42.3 
19 27 151211  Sunflower seed/safflower oil, crude  5 1.0%  15.1 
20 19 100190  Wheat other than durum wheat; 
meslin  4 0.9%  -20.6 
Source:  UN Comtrade database (importer data).  
3.29.   Regarding agricultural imports, Table 2 shows the top 20 products imported by developing 
economies in 2020. As for exports, also for imports soybeans (HS 12.01.00) were in 1st position in 
both 2018 and 2020, reaching a share of 9% amongst all agricultural imports of developing 
economies in 2020 (annual growth in 2020: -3.3% against 2019). In 2nd position (3rd in 2018) 
followed maize (HS 10.05.90) with a share of 4% and an annua l growth of 10.3%, and in  3rd position 
wheat (HS 10.01.90) with a share of 4% ( -24.3% in 2020).  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  3.30.   The biggest improvement in terms of rank within the top 20  imported  products was observed 
for swine meat  (HS 02.03.29) which  improved its position from 19th in 2018 to 1 0th in 2020, while 
cigarettes  (HS 24.02.20) dropped the most, from 10th position in 2018 to 1 9th in 2020.  
3.31.   Altogether, the top 20 products covered a share of 4 8% in total agricultural imports of 
developing economies in 2020.  
Table 2: Top 20 imported agricultural products (AoA) of developing economies, 2020  
(Rank, billion dollars and percentage)  
Rank 
(2020)  Rank 
(2018)  HS02 
code  Commodity description  Value 
(USD 
billion), 
2020  Share in 
total 
AoA 
imports 
(%), 
2020  Annual 
percentage 
change 
(%), 2020  
1 1 120100  Soya beans, whether or not broken  51 9.2%  3.3 
2 3 100590  Maize (corn), other than seed  23 4.1%  10.3 
3 2 100190  Wheat other than durum wheat; 
meslin  21 3.7%  -24.3 
4 6 210690  Food preps., n.e.s.  17 3.2%  2.1 
5 7 20230  Meat of bovine animals, frozen, 
boneless  17 3.1%  9.3 
6 4 151190  Palm oil, other than crude, & 
fractions thereof , whether or not ref. 
but n ...  17 3.0%  -4.3 
7 5 100630  Semi-milled/wholly milled rice, 
whether or not polished/glazed  15 2.7%  -12.5 
8 9 520100  Cotton, not carded/combed  12 2.2%  -12.9 
9 8 230400  Oil-cake & oth. solid residues, 
whether or not ground/in pellets, 
from extr ...  12 2.2%  -16.4 
10 19 020329  Meat of swine (excl. carcasses/half -
carcasses/hams/shoulders & cuts 
thereof ...  11 1.9%  78.3 
11 14 170111  Cane sugar, raw, in solid form, not 
cont. added flavouring/colouring 
matter ...  9 1.6%  19.7 
12 11 20714  Cuts & edible offal of species Gallus 
domesticus, frozen  8 1.5%  -7.3 
13 13 190110  Preparations for infant use, put up 
for RS  8 1.4%  -6.9 
14 12 40221  Milk in powder/granules/oth. solid 
form, unsweetened, fat content by 
wt. >1 ...  7 1.4%  -13.7 
15 15 230990  Preparations of a kind used in animal 
feeding other than dog/cat food put 
u ... 6 1.1%  -9.2 
16 21 151110  Palm oil, crude  6 1.1%  27.4 
17 18 150710  Soya bean oil, crude, whether or not 
degummed, not chemically modified  6 1.1%  -1.2 
18 25 40210  Milk in powder/granules/oth. solid 
form, fat content by wt. not >1.5%  6 1.0%  24.9 
19 10 240220  Cigarettes cont. tobacco  5 1.0%  -56.1 
20 17 170199  Cane/beet sugar & chemically pure 
sucrose, in solid form, not cont. 
added f ...  5 0.9%  -25.8 
 
Source:  UN Comtrade database ( exporter data).  
 
3.32.   Table 3 lists the top 20 non -agricultural market access products exported by developing 
economies in 2020. Monolithic integrated circuits (HS 85.42.21) were in 1st position in 2020  
(up from 2nd in 2018), reaching a share of 11% amongst all NAMA exports of  developing economies WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 17 - 
 
  in 2020 (annual growth in 2020: +4.2% against 2019), followed by petroleum oils (HS 27.09.00) in 
2nd position (1st in 2018) with a share of 6% ( -47.7% in 2020) and transmission apparatus for radio -
telephony, radio-telegraphy, radio -broadcasting or television  (HS 85.25.20) in 3rd position 
(2018 and 2020 ) with a share of 5% (-23.1% in 2020).  
3.33.   The biggest improvement in terms of rank within the top 20 products was observed for 'other 
made -up textile arts., incl. d ress patterns, n.e.s. ' (HS 63.07.90) – inter-alia an input to the 
production of personal protective equipment during the C OVID  pandemic - which  improved its 
position from 86th in 2018 to 1 0th in 2020, while vehicles for the transportation of persons  
(HS 87.03.23) dropped  the most, from 12th position in 2018 to 1 9th in 2020.  
3.34.   Altogether, the top 20 products covered a share of 4 0% in total non-agricultural exports of 
developing economies in 2020.  
Table 3: Top 20 exported non-agricultural market access products (NAMA) of developing 
economies, 2020  
(Rank, billion dollars and percentage)  
Rank 
(2020)  Rank 
(2018)  HS02 
code  Commodity description  Value 
(USD 
billion), 
2020  Share in 
total NAMA  
exports 
(%), 2020  Annual 
percentage 
change (%), 
2020  
1 2 854221  Monolithic integrated 
circuits, digital  720 11.2%  4.2 
2 1 270900  Petroleum oils & oils obt. 
from bituminous mins., 
crude  415 6.4%  -47.7 
3 3 852520  Transmission apparatus for 
radio-telephony, radio -
telegraphy, radio -
broadcasting or television  291 4.5%  -23.1 
4 9 710812  Gold (incl. gold plated with 
platinum), in unwrought 
forms (excl. powder)  127 2.0%  20.8 
5 7 847130  Portable digital auto. data 
processing machines, 
weighing not >10kg, consis 
... 127 2.0%  3.6 
6 4 271019  Petroleum oils & oils obt. 
from bituminous mins. 
(excl. crude) & preps. oth 
... 102 1.6%  -47.5 
7 8 847330  Parts & accessories (excl. 
covers, carrying cases and 
the like) suit. for u ...  102 1.6%  -11.6 
8 5 851790  Parts of the app. & equip. 
of 85.17  100 1.6%  -19.0 
9 6 271011  Light petroleum oils & 
preps.  61 0.9%  -50.6 
10 86 630790  Other made -up textile 
arts., incl. dress patterns, 
n.e.s.  60 0.9%  515.1  
11 11 847170  Storage units (of auto. 
data processing machines)  58 0.9%  -17.9 
12 10 271111  Natural gas, liquefied  55 0.8%  -38.0 
13 13 847150  Digital processing units 
other than of 
8471.41/8471.49, whether 
or not cont ...  51 0.8%  -13.2 
14 22 260111  Iron ores & concs. (excl. 
roasted iron pyrites), non -
agglom.  51 0.8%  28.8 
15 17 852990  Parts suit. for use 
solely/princ. with the app. 49 0.8%  0.6 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Rank 
(2020)  Rank 
(2018)  HS02 
code  Commodity description  Value 
(USD 
billion), 
2020  Share in 
total NAMA  
exports 
(%), 2020  Annual 
percentage 
change (%), 
2020  
of 85.25 -85.28, other than  
... 
16 16 260300  Copper ores & concs.  45 0.7%  -7.9 
17 15 847160  Input/output units (of 
auto. data processing 
machines), whether or not 
cont ...  44 0.7%  -18.2 
18 20 854140  Photosensitive 
semiconductor devices, 
incl. photovoltaic cells 
whether or n ...  42 0.7%  3.8 
19 12 870323  Vehicles (excl. of 87.02 & 
8703.10) princ. designed 
for the t ransport  of persons  42 0.7%  -36.7 
20 18 853400  Printed circuits  36 0.6%  -15.5 
Source:  UN Comtrade database (importer data).  
 
3.35.   In terms of imports of non -agricultural imports, Table 2 lists the top 20 products imported by 
developing economies in 2020. As for exports, also for imports m onolithic integrated circuits  
(HS 85.42.21) were in 1st position in both 2018 and 2020, reaching a share of 12% amongst all 
non-agricultural imports of developing economies in 2020 (annual growth in 2020: +13.5% 
against  2019). In 2nd position (4th in 2018) followed t ransmission apparatus for radio -telephony, 
radio-telegraphy, radio -broadcasting or television  (HS 85.25.20) with a share of 3% and an annual 
growth of -17.1%, and in  3rd position (in both 2018 and 2020 ) petroleum oils  (HS 27.10.19) with a 
share of 2% ( -45.5% in 2020).  
3.36.   The biggest improvement in terms of rank within the top 20 imported non -agricultural 
products was observed for step & repeat aligners for the projection/drawing of circuit patterns 
(HS 90.10.42) that improved its position from 26th in 2018 to 1 2th in 2020, while bituminous coal  
(HS 27.01.12) dropped the most, from 10th position in 2018 to 1 7th in 2020.  
3.37.   Altogether, the top 20 products covered a share of 34% in total non-agricultural imports of 
developing economies in 2020.  
  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Table 4: Top 20 imported non -agricultural market access products (NAMA) of developing 
economies, 2020  
(Rank,  billion dollars and percentage)  
Rank 
(2020)  Rank 
(2018)  HS02 
code  Commodity description  Value 
(USD 
billion), 
2020  Share in 
total 
NAMA  
imports 
(%), 
2020  Annual 
percentage 
change 
(%), 2020  
1 1 854221  Monolithic integrated circuits, 
digital  678 12.3%  13.5 
2 4 852520  Transmission apparatus for radio -
telephony, radio -telegraphy, 
radio-broadcasting or television  149 2.7%  -17.1 
3 3 271019  Petroleum oils & oils obt. from 
bituminous mins. (excl. crude) & 
preps. oth ...  122 2.2%  -45.5 
4 7 851790  Parts of the app. & equip. of 
85.17  105 1.9%  0.0 
5 11 260111  Iron ores & concs. (excl. roasted 
iron pyrites), non -agglom.  105 1.9%  64.2 
6 9 847330  Parts & accessories (excl. covers, 
carrying cases and the like) suit. 
for u ...  76 1.4%  -8.0 
7 2 270900  Petroleum oils & oils obt. from 
bituminous mins., crude  72 1.3%  -73.6 
8 5 271011  Light petroleum oils & preps.  67 1.2%  -49.6 
9 8 870323  Vehicles (excl. of 87.02 & 
8703.10) princ. designed for the 
tpt. of persons ...  60 1.1%  -30.1 
10 6 710812  Gold (incl. gold plated with 
platinum), in unwrought forms 
(excl. powder)  60 1.1%  -51.9 
11 12 300490  Medicaments (excl. of 
30.02/30.05/30.06) consisting of 
mixed/unmixed prods. ...  57 1.0%  3.2 
12 26 901042  Step & repeat aligners for the 
projection/drawing of circuit 
patterns on se ...  41 0.7%  23.0 
13 19 847989  Machines & mech. appls. having 
individual functions, n.e.s./incl. in 
Ch.84  38 0.7%  -12.9 
14 23 847130  Portable digital auto. data 
processing machines, weighing 
not >10kg, consis ...  37 0.7%  2.7 
15 24 852990  Parts suit. for use solely/princ. 
with the app. of 85.25 -85.28, 
other than  ... 37 0.7%  2.7 
16 22 853400  Printed circuits  36 0.6%  -6.2 
17 10 270112  Bituminous coal, whether or not 
pulverised but not agglom.  33 0.6%  -50.7 
18 20 847170  Storage units (of auto. data 
processing machines)  33 0.6%  -20.0 
19 18 901380  Liquid crystal devices not 
constituting arts. provided for 
more specificall ...  31 0.6%  -29.4 
20 27 854140  Photosensitive semiconductor 
devices, incl. photovoltaic cells 
whether or n ...  30 0.5%  -5.3 
 
Source:  UN Comtrade database ( exporter data).  
  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  3.5  Major trading partners of developing economies  
The United States, the European Union and China remained the top three merchandise 
trading partners of developing economies  
The order  of the top 10 destinations  (see Chart 12) for merchandise exports of developing 
economies remained the same between 2018 a nd 2020 , led by  the United States (share of 17% 
in 2018 and 2020), the European Union (share of 1 4% in 2018 and 2020) and China (share of 14% 
in 2018 and of 13% in 2020).  Chinese Taipei went up from 14th position in 2018 to 11th in 2020, 
while Mexico, Thai land, and Malaysia went down by one position each. The United Arab Emirates 
(top 15 in 2018) was replaced by Australia on 15th position in 2020. The top 15 destinations 
covered  80% of total developing economies' exports in 2018 and 78% in 2020.  
Chart 12: Top 15 export destinations of developing economies , 2018 and 2020  
(Percentage)  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on data from UN Comtrade.  
Regarding origins of imports (Chart 1 5), the sequence of the top 8 remained unchanged 
between 2018 and 2020, led by China (share of 17% in 2018 and of 20% in 2020), the European 
Union (share of 14% in 2018 and 2020) and the United States (share of 12% in 2018 and of 11% 
in 2020). India moved from 9th position in 2018 to 10th position in 2020, overtaken by Australia. 
The Russian Federation fell from 12th position in 2018 to 14th in 2020, and Viet Nam (top 17 in 2018) 
took the place of the United Arab Emirates (top 15 in 2018, top 17 in 2020). The top 15 origins 
covered 84% of developing economies' merchan dise imports in 2020, up from 81% in 2018.  
  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
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  Chart 13: Top 15 origins of imports  of developing economies 2018 and 2020  
(Percentage)  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat based on data from UN Comtrade.  
3.6  "South -South" trade  
Developing Asia and trade in manufactures continue to be  the main drivers of South -South 
trade  
3.41.   South -South trade, or trade between developing economies, continued to account for more 
than half  of developing economies ' trade, notably 55% in 20 20 (up from 53 % in 2018) . As exchanges 
of commodities, in particular fuels, weakened, the share of South -South trade in manufactured 
goods  increased from 69% in 2018 to 74% in 2020 , dominated by Intra -developing Asia.  As a result, 
Intra-developing Asia trade increas ed its representation within South -South trade to 70% in 20 20, 
up from 62% in 2018.  
3.42.   The t rade of developing economies with other developing economies amount ed to about 
USD 3,853  billion in 20 20 (down from USD 4,601 billion  in 2018) - see Chart 14. In 20 20, around 
80% of total intra South -South exports were generated by Developing Asia, a bit more than 5%  by 
South and Central America and the Caribbean and  about 5% by the Middle East.  
3.43.   In "South -South" manufacture  exports , more than 90 % were generated by Developing Asia 
in 2020 (up from 8 8% in 2018) . In fuels and mining products , around 35 % were exported by  
the Middle East,  followed by Asian  economies (3 0%). And finally, total agricultural exports were 
mostly expor ted by Developing  Asia ( almost  50%) and by South and Central America and 
the Caribbean ( around  35%). 
  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 22 - 
 
  Chart 14: Developing economies' merchandise trade with developing, developed , 
and CIS* economies, 20 10-2020 
(Billion dollars ) 
 
* Including certain associate and former member States.  
Source:  UN Comtrade database.  
4  TRADE  IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN 201 8 AND 20 20 
4.1  Overview  
Developing economies ' services exports dropped 25% in 2020, more than in the rest of 
the world ( -18%)  
4.1.  Following a strong 10% increase in 2018, world commercial services trade slowed to 2% 
in 2019, due to rising economic uncertainty and trade tensions. Services trade declined sharply, 
by 21% in 2020 .9 Restrictions to cross -border movement of people, border  closures, and strict 
lockdown measures implemented to fight the COVID -19 pandemic hit hard the global services sector, 
more than trade in goods ( -9%, on a Balance of Payments basis).  
4.2.  In 2019, developing economies' exports of commercial services expanded b y 4% to 
USD 1934 billion, after a 12% rise in 2018, boosted by rapid growth of other commercial services 
and tourism. Services exports dropped 25% to US D 1451 billion in 2020, more than in the rest of 
the world ( -18%), due to collapsing international trave l and transport services. This represents an 
export revenue loss of US D 483 billion for developing economies, more than four times the loss 
recorded during the 2008 -2009 global financial crisis (US D 102 billion). Prior to the pandemic, 
travel/tourism and t ransport accounted together for more than half of developing economies' 
services exports.  
4.3.  Developing economies' services imports were up 9% in 2018, stagnated in 2019 (+0.3%), and, 
in 2020, contracted by 25%, as much as services exports, to US D 1619 billio n. The drop in travel 
expenditure abroad, due to border restrictions and quarantine measures, and in transport services 
are the drivers also on the imports side.  
 
9 Trade as average of exports and imports.  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 23 - 
 
  Chart  15: Developing economies' trade in commercial services, 2018 -2020  
(Billion dollars)  
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.4.  All developing regions recorded sharp declines, although with some differences. Commercial 
services exports fell 41% in developing Europe, and by more than 30% in L atin America  and the 
Caribbean and Africa, while in developin g Asia the contraction was in line with global trends. Services 
imports decreased  31% in Latin America  and the Caribbean and in the Middle East, but less, by 12% 
in developing Europe . 
Chart  16: Developing economies' trade in commercial services  by region , 2019  and 2020  
(Annual percentage change)  
 
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.5.  The contribution of developing economies to world exports of commercial services  grew 
to 31.4% in 2019 from 30.9% in 201 8 but fell to 29.5% in 2020 . Developing Asia dominated 
with 20.6%, a share almost unchanged compared with 2018, representing nearly 70% of developing 
economies' services exports in 2020. The Middle East followed with 3.6% share, while participation 
from other large developing regions such as Latin Am erica and the Caribbean and Africa, remained 
very low, at 2.5% and 1.6% respectively. Developing Europe held a 1.0% share.  
4.6.  Developing economies' participation in world imports of commercial services fell from 3 7.8% 
in 2018 , to 36.8 in 2019 and further t o 35.2% in 2020. Developing Asian economies  form the largest 
share contracted from 24.5 in 2018 to 23.3%, as Chinese imports fel l 5% in 2019 and then 24% 
in 2020. The Middle East  accounted for 4.8% of global services imports in 2020  and Africa 2.9% . 
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 24 - 
 
  Chart 17: Developing economies' participation in world trade in commercial services , 
2018-2020 
(Percentage share)  
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
4.2  Major traders  
China, India, and Singapore ranked both as  the leading  services exporters and importers  
4.7.  Services trade remains concentrated with the first 15 economies, predominantly Asian, 
accounting for almost 80% of exports and 76% of imports in 2020. No African country appeared in 
the top 15 developing economies, the first is Egypt at the 18th position as exporter and Nigeria at 
the 17th as services importer.  China, India, and Singapore ranked were the leading traders both 
in 2018 and in 2020, although in a different order. By contrast, the shock to the tourism industry by 
the COVID -19 pandemic in 2020, affected significantly predominant travel exporters which saw 
sharp declines in their share in services exports such as Macao , China and Indonesia which no longer 
appeared among the top 15 developing services exporters in 2020. The share of exports from other 
developing economies fell steeply from 25.4% to 20.3% in 2020 confirming that these economies 
were more severely affected by the global health crisis than the leading developing exporters.  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 25 - 
 
  Chart 18: Top 15 developing economies' commercial services exporters and importers, 
2018 and 2020  
(Percentage shares)  
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates . 
 
4.8.  Unlike China which recorded a one percentage  point contraction between 2018 and 2020, India 
and Singapore expanded their shares in services imports. The United Arab Emirates, Israel, and 
Qatar also saw a rise. Indonesia and the State of Kuwait witnessed a fall which led to their absence 
as leading importers and were overtaken by Turkey and Israel.  
Services exports of the top 15 developing exporters  were unevenly affected  in 2020  
4.9.  In 2020, China and India, the top developing services exporters, saw lower declines compared 
to the rest of developing economies. China's services exports were sustained particularly by strong 
growth in transport (+25%), ICT services (+10%), mainly computer services, and business services 
(+3%). Expanding IT services and business services (+5%) also helped the I ndia's services. Prior 
to the pandemic, these sectors accounted for 65% of India's services exports. Qatar was the only 
top 15 developing economy to record growth thanks to transport services (+6%), which forms 
almost 60% of its services exports.  
4.10.   By contra st, Thailand's services exports were down 61% reflecting the sharp drop in travel 
exports ( -76%). On average, exports from all remaining developing economies fell on average 43% 
in 2020, reflecting to a large extent their reliance on international tourism revenues and lack of 
diversification of their services sector.  
Exports
Imports
Others
24.4%China
23.3%
Singapore
10.7%
India
9.4%
Korea, 
Republic of
6.3%United Arab 
Emirates
3.6%Hong 
Kong, 
China
3.1%Brazil
2.9%Thailand
2.9%Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of
2.4%Chinese 
Taipei
2.3%Malaysia
2.0%Qatar
2.0%Mexico
1.5%Israel
1.5%Turkey
1.5%2020 Others
25.7%China
24.3%
Singapore
9.3%
India
8.1%
Korea, 
Republic of
5.9% Hong Kong, 
China
3.8%United Arab 
Emirates
3.3%Brazil
3.2%Chinese 
Taipei
2.6%Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of
2.6%Thailand
2.5%Malaysia
2.1%Indonesia
1.8%Mexico
1.7%Kuwait, the 
State of
1.6%Qatar
1.4%2018Others
25.4%China
14.5%
Singapore
11.1%
India
11.0%
Hong Kong, 
China
6.1% Korea, 
Republic of
5.3%Thailand
4.2%United Arab 
Emirates
3.8%Turkey
3.1%Israel
2.7%
Chinese 
Taipei
2.7%Macao, 
China
2.4%Malaysia
2.2%Philippines
2.1%Brazil
1.9%Indonesia
1.6%2018
Others
20.3%China
19.2%
India
14.0%
Singapore
12.9%
Korea, 
Republic of
5.9% Hong Kong, 
China
4.4%United 
Arab 
Emirates
4.2%Israel
3.6%Chinese 
Taipei
2.8%Turkey
2.4%Thailand
2.2%Philippines
2.2%Brazil
1.9%Malaysia
1.5%Viet Nam
1.3%Qatar
1.3%2020WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 26 - 
 
  Chart 19: Top 15 developing exporters of commercial services, 2019 and 2020  
(Annual percentage change)
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates . 
 
All top 15  importers  saw declines in their services import s 
4.11.   Unlike exports, which showed significant differences among developing 
economies'  performance, the fall on services imports was somewhat more homogeneous. All top 
developing economies recorded a contraction in their services imports.  
4.12.   In 2020, China' servi ces imports were down 24%, driven by the sharp fall in travel imports 
(-48%), which in 2019, represented more than half of China's total payments for international 
services. China ranked globally as the leading travel spender, with a share in world of 17.9 %, before 
the collapse of international tourism due the COVID -19 pandemic. A 78% drop in travel expenditure 
abroad is also the main reason for the fall in Singapore's services imports, as the economy's imports 
of other commercial services, the bulk of its imports, remained resilient ( -2%). Qatar saw the 
smallest decline among the top 15 importers, due to rising transport services imports (+11%), 
followed by Turkey, due to increasing imports of other services (+17%).  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 27 - 
 
  Chart 20: Top 15 developing importers of commercial services, 2019 and 2020  
(Annual percentage change )
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.3  Trade in commercial services  by sector  
Developing economies' travel exports dropped 66% in 2020  as international tourism 
collapsed  
4.13.   According to the UN  World Tourism Organization (UN WTO), in 2020, international  tourist 
arrivals fell 73 % due to global restrictions to cross -border movement of people, including border 
closures, quarantines, and strict l ockdown measures to fight the COVID -19 pandemic. As a result, 
the expenditure of international travellers was down 62% globally.  
  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 28 - 
 
  Chart  21: Developing economies' trade in commercial services by main category, 
2018 -2020  
(USD billion)  
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.14.   Following two years of robust growth, de veloping economies ' travel exports collapsed 
in 2020.10 Travel receipts contracted to US D 205 billion from US D 609 billion in 2019, dropping 66%, 
a more pronounced decline than in developed economies ( -59%). Developing Asia saw the sharpest 
fall (-72%), while in the Middle East's travel exports decreased less than average, by 54%, as the 
Unite d Arab Emirates recorded a smaller decline ( -36%). The economy continued to attract 
international travellers  to Dubai , especially from India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and 
the United  Kingdom.  As a result, the United Arab Emirates became the leading deve loping travel 
exporter, overtaking Thailand, which slipped to the third position ( see Annex table 6). 
4.15.   Travel/tourism is a key services export sector for developing economies, represent ing an 
important source of revenue, particularly  for LDC s, with a high participation of MSMEs and women 
in exports .11 The relative share of travel in developing economies' services exports decreased  
from 31.1% in 201 8 to 14.1% in 2020 . Prior to the pandemic, participation of developing economies 
in global travel exports was at 41.5%, in 2020 it fell to 37.3%.  
Transport services trade declined by 18% in 2020, with large differences among 
developing regions  
4.16.   Transport was another sector hit hard by the pandemic , declining 20% globally in 2020, with 
air passenger transport th e most affected due to travel restrictions, down 54%. During the 
pandemic, f reight transport, the largest component of international transport, has helped to partly 
offset the sharp drop in passenger transport.  Following a high demand for goo ds as economie s 
started to recover, o cean shipping rates  started to rise in the summer of 2020 . Transport operators 
saw a return to profit from severe losses recorded in the last decade due to weak merchandise trade 
flows following the global financial crisis, stagnatin g economic conditions and overcapacity. However, 
the increase in freight transport prices has led, in the second half of 2020, t o worldwide port 
congestions, shipping delays and a global shortage of containers , disrupting global supply chains.  
  
 
10 In BOP Statistics, "travel" covers all services and goods acquired by international travellers in the host 
economy, for their own use or to give away, such as accommodation, food, souvenirs, visits to museums, loc al 
transportation, etc. It excludes transportation to the host country, which is recorded in "transport".  
11 WTO, World Trade Report 2019 "The Future of Services Trade".  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 29 - 
 
  Chart  22: Developing economies' tra nsport exports  by mode of transport , 2020  
(Annual percentage change)  
 
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
4.17.   In 2020, d eveloping economies ' trade in transport services contracted by 18%. Sea  transport 
services, also including port services such as cargo handling and storage, around half of developing 
economies' transport exports in 2019, fell 6%. Air passenger transport services plunged by 46%. 
However, air cargo freight rates, which also increased globally due t o the need to ship rapidly 
personal protective equipment and other medical goods to fight the pandemic, and the rise of 
e-commerce, helped sustaining the airline industry. Developing economies' air freight transport 
services fell less, by 7% on average.  
4.18.   The performance of developing regions varied (Chart 23). In Africa transport exports dropped 
21%, 26% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 32% in the Middle East and 39% in 
Developing  Europe. These declines are two or three times sharper than those recorded i n 
Developing  Asia, the largest trader ( -10%). China saw a strong increase in exports (+25%) which 
compensated the decline recorded by Singapore ( -15%), the largest transport exporter before the 
pandemic, and by the Republic of Korea ( -7%). In 2020, China b ecame the leading developing 
transport exporter, overtaking Singapore, and confirmed its rank as first transport importer. The 
share of developing economies  in world transport exports increased from 36. 7% in 201 9 to 37.9% 
in 2020, while their participation  in world imports increased from 4 8.1% to 49.4% respectively . 
Chart  23: Developing  economies' trade in transport services by region, 2018 -2020  
(Annual percentage change)  
 
Source:   WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 30 - 
 
  Developing economies' exports of other commercial services  were resilient during the 
pandemic  
4.19.   Following a rapid expansion in 2018 (+11%), and a slowdown in 2019 (+3%), world exports 
of other commercial services decreased on average by 2% in 2020.12 Other c ommercial services  
were unevenly affected by the pandemic. Services requiring physical proximity fell steeply. With 
building projects delayed or postponed in many countries due to the pandemic, global constructio n 
exports were down 18% in 2020. Personal, c ultural, and recreational services , including artistic and 
audio -visual services, were also significantly impacted  by the restrictions to cross -border mobility 
and social distancing measures . By contrast, financial services and insurance services recorded 
growth.  Global c omputer services  exports, the fastest growing services sector over the past ten 
years, expanded by 8% in 2020, boosted by a shift towards remote working and increased 
digitalization.  
4.20.   In comparison with the rest of the world, developing economies' exports of other commerci al 
services were on average more dynamic prior to the pandemic, and resilient in 2020 . In 2018, 
exports were up 14% vs. 10% in other economies , +4% vs. 2% in 2019, and decreased only by 
0.3% in 2020 compared to a 3% decline in the rest of the world . Accord ing to estimates, other 
business services , telecommunications services, and information services exports fell less, while 
other sectors such as in intellectual property -related services  and insurance services expanded more  
than in the rest of the world . However, personal, cultural , and recreational services recorded sharper 
declines due  to the pandemic . 
Chart 24: Developing economies' exports of other commercial services by category, 
2020 
(Annual percentage change)  
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.21.   Developin g economies also benefited by the demand for digitalization and the shift to remote  
working . Computer services saw rapid export growth in many developing economies, matching 
global trends , although for some economies the amounts are relatively small.  
 
12 "Other commercial services" covers the following services sectors in the Balance of P ayments: 
construction, insurance and pension services, financial services, charges for the use of intellectual property 
n.i.e., telecommunications, computer, and information services, other business services, and personal, cultural, 
and recreational servic es. 
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 31 - 
 
  Chart 2 5: Computer services exports of selected d eveloping economies, 20 20 
(Annual percentage change)  
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.22.   The participation of developing economies in global exports of commercial services has 
increased significantly over the y ears. In 2020, some 25.8% of world exports of "other commercial 
services" originated from developing economies, a share that had gradually increased since 2005 
(16.6%). However, participation varies considerably by type of service. In 2020, the largest sha res 
continued to be recorded in construction (49%), telecommunications, computer , and information 
services  (33%), and  in other business services (29%). However, developing economies' participation 
continued to lag  behind in higher -skilled services such as intellectual property -related services 
(charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.) as well as financial services.  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 32 - 
 
  Chart  26: Exports of commercial services by sector and economic groupings, 2020  
(Percentage  share)  
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
4.23.   Other commercial services exports re main very concentrated, with developing Asia in the 
leading role. China , India, and Singapore remained  the main contributors, accounting alone for 
two-thirds of Developing Asia's exports. In 2020, the three economies continued to export twice as 
much as all the other four developing regions together.  
Chart 27: Developing economies' exports of other c ommercial services by developing 
region, 20 20 
(Percentage  share s) 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.24.   At the sectoral level, in 2020, Developing Asian economies held an 86% share in developing 
economies' exports of financial services, thanks to Singapore and Hong Kong, China. Developing  Asia 
dominated also in construction (84%), sustained by exports from China and the Republic of Korea , 
5.4%
5.1%
3.7%5.5%
2.7%
1.8%
0.9%
0.5%
0.0%1.0%2.0%3.0%4.0%5.0%6.0%7.0%8.0%
China India Singapore Other
developing AsiaMiddle East Latin America
and the
CarribeanAfrica Developing
Europe19.6%
Developing economies : 
25.8%
share in world exports 
of other commercial servicesWT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 33 - 
 
  in intellectual property related services (82%) , with China , Singapore, and the  Republic  of Korea , as 
well as in other business services and in  ICT services, with India as the largest developing exporter . 
Chart  28: Developing economies' exports of other commercial services by main sector 
and by developing region, 2 020 
(Percentage  share s) 
 
Source:  WTO-UNCTAD estimates.  
 
4.25.   On the imports side, developing economies' participation in world imports  of other commercial 
services  declined form 28.9% in 2018 to 27.6% in 2020.  
4.4  "South -South" trade  
"South -South" trade accounted for 48.6% of developing economies' services trade 
in 2019  
4.26.   The availability of statistics on bilateral trade in services varies significantly across countries 
and regions. For example, more than 90% of Europe's services trade can be captured on a bilateral 
basis, however, this share drops to only 36% for Asia. No bilateral services transactions are currently 
reported by African or Middle Eastern economies.  The WT O-OECD Balanced Trade in Services 
(BaTIS) analytical dataset , which uses both official statistics and estimates for missing data, provide s 
a complete balanced matrix covering virtually all economies in the world in 12 services sectors and 
for total service s for the period 2005 -2019. According to BaTIS data, the  share of South -South trade 
in developing economies' services trade  reached 48.6% in 2019, up from 40.7% in 2005.  
WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 34 - 
 
  Chart  29: Developing economies ' trade in commercial services by destination , 2019  
(Percentage shares )  
 
* including certain associate and former member States.  
Source: WTO-OECD Balanced Trade in Services (BaTIS) dataset.  
Intra -developing Asian flows dominate South -South services trade  
4.27.   South -South services trade is dominated by intra-Developing Asia n flows (58.1% in 2019). 
Developing Asia was in fact the main partner for all developing regions. By contrast, 
intra-African  trade accounted for only 1.2% of total South -South services trade. Intra -regional 
services flows are modest al so in South and Central America and the Caribbean, another large 
region, representing only 2.4% of intra -developing economies services trade in 2019.  
Table  5: South -South trade in commercial services by region, 2019  
(Percentage shares)  
  
Note: Latin Ameri ca includes the Caribbean.  
 
  
Developing Asia Middle East Latin America Africa Developing Europe
Developing Asia 58.1% 6.4% 3.1% 4.1% 1.0%
Middle East 5.9% 2.9% 0.5% 1.1% 0.3%
Latin America 3.4% 0.7% 2.4% 0.6% 0.1%
Africa 2.9% 1.4% 0.3% 1.2% 0.2%
Developing Europe 1.4% 0.9% 0.2% 0.5% 0.5%WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 35 - 
 
  APPENDIX 
APPENDIX TABLE 1: MERCHANDISE EXPORTS OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES AND REGIONS, 
2018‑2020 
(Billion dollars and percentage)  
  Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Worlda 17105.61  100.000  100.000  - - -5 -3 -8 
Developing Economiesa 7623.63  43.899  44.568  100.000  100.000  -4 -3 -6 
Latin America and the 
Caribbean  954.67  5.710  5.581  13.007  12.523  -6 -3 -9 
Developing Europe  254.08  1.374  1.485  3.131  3.333  -1 2 -5 
Africa  386.33  2.682  2.259  6.110  5.068  -13 -6 -19 
Middle East  791.88  6.171  4.629  14.056  10.387  -18 -9 -26 
Developing Asiaa 5236.67  27.962  30.614  63.696  68.690  -1 -1 0 
Afghanistan  0.73 0.005  0.004  0.010  0.010  -9 -1 -15 
Albania  2.51 0.015  0.015  0.034  0.033  -7 -5 -8 
Algeria  21.62  0.220  0.126  0.501  0.284  -28 -14 -40 
American Samoa  0.49 0.003  0.003  0.006  0.006  -2 -15 12 
Angola  20.94  0.214  0.122  0.489  0.275  -28 -15 -40 
Anguilla  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -5 -3 -7 
Antigua and Barbuda  0.02 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -8 46 -42 
Argentina  54.88  0.325  0.321  0.741  0.720  -6 5 -16 
Aruba, the Netherlands with 
respect to  0.10 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.001  -29 -33 -25 
Bahamas  0.35 0.003  0.002  0.008  0.005  -26 4 -47 
Bahrain, Kingdom of  14.07  0.095  0.082  0.216  0.185  -12 0 -22 
Bangladesh  33.61  0.207  0.196  0.471  0.441  -7 0 -15 
Barbados  0.35 0.002  0.002  0.005  0.005  -12 -1 -22 
Belize  0.29 0.002  0.002  0.005  0.004  -20 2 -38 
Benin  2.32 0.018  0.014  0.040  0.030  -17 -9 -24 
Bhutan  0.65 0.003  0.004  0.007  0.009  4 11 -3 
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  7.02 0.047  0.041  0.107  0.092  -12 -2 -20 
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and 
Saba 0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -5 -3 -7 
Bosnia and Herzegovina  6.15 0.038  0.036  0.086  0.081  -7 -8 -6 
Botswana  4.26 0.035  0.025  0.079  0.056  -19 -20 -19 
Brazil  209.88  1.259  1.227  2.868  2.753  -6 -6 -7 
Brunei Darussalam  6.61 0.035  0.039  0.079  0.087  0 7 -6 
Burkina Faso  4.37 0.017  0.026  0.039  0.057  16 0 35 
Burundi  0.16 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.002  -5 0 -10 
Cabo Verde  0.05 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -16 -18 -15 
Cambodia  17.22  0.067  0.101  0.152  0.226  16 17 16 
Cameroon  3.38 0.020  0.020  0.046  0.044  -6 7 -17 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 36 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Cayman Islands  0.02 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -27 20 -56 
Central African Republic  0.13 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.002  -13 -10 -15 
Chad 2.62 0.017  0.015  0.038  0.034  -9 1 -18 
Chile 73.49  0.393  0.430  0.896  0.964  -1 -8 7 
China  2590.22  13.086  15.143  29.809  33.976  2 1 4 
Colombia  31.01  0.220  0.181  0.501  0.407  -14 -5 -21 
Comoros  0.02 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -29 -5 -47 
Congo  3.34 0.059  0.020  0.134  0.044  -45 -50 -40 
Cook Islands  0.02 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  5 -1 12 
Costa Rica  12.17  0.060  0.071  0.136  0.160  4 3 4 
Côte d'Ivoire  11.92  0.063  0.070  0.143  0.156  0 6 -6 
Cuba 2.20 0.012  0.013  0.028  0.029  -4 -13 7 
Curaçao  0.27 0.003  0.002  0.007  0.004  -32 -32 -32 
Democratic Republic of the 
Congo  14.12  0.105  0.083  0.240  0.185  -16 -33 6 
Djibouti  2.92 0.019  0.017  0.042  0.038  -9 13 -27 
Dominica  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  18 79 -22 
Dominican Republic  10.30  0.056  0.060  0.128  0.135  -2 5 -8 
Ecuador  20.23  0.114  0.118  0.259  0.265  -3 3 -9 
Egypt  26.63  0.145  0.156  0.331  0.349  -2 5 -8 
El Salvador  5.04 0.031  0.029  0.071  0.066  -8 0 -15 
Equatorial Guinea  3.20 0.034  0.019  0.078  0.042  -30 -18 -40 
Eritrea  0.56 0.004  0.003  0.008  0.007  -9 15 -28 
Eswatini  1.70 0.010  0.010  0.022  0.022  -4 9 -15 
Ethiopia  3.26 0.014  0.019  0.032  0.043  10 1 19 
Fiji 0.83 0.005  0.005  0.012  0.011  -11 -1 -20 
French Polynesia  0.11 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.001  -14 -8 -20 
Gabon  4.90 0.034  0.029  0.078  0.064  -13 2 -26 
The Gambia  0.06 0.001  0.000  0.002  0.001  -34 -5 -54 
Ghana  14.47  0.079  0.085  0.179  0.190  -2 5 -8 
Grenada  0.02 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -16 1 -30 
Guam  0.04 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  3 -5 11 
Guatemala  11.52  0.057  0.067  0.129  0.151  3 4 3 
Guinea  5.60 0.021  0.033  0.048  0.073  19 -1 42 
Guinea -Bissau  0.20 0.002  0.001  0.004  0.003  -24 -27 -20 
Guyana  2.59 0.007  0.015  0.017  0.034  37 14 65 
Haiti 0.72 0.006  0.004  0.013  0.009  -18 11 -40 
Honduras  7.68 0.045  0.045  0.104  0.101  -6 2 -13 
Hong Kong, China  548.77  2.991  3.208  6.814  7.198  -2 -6 3 
domestic exports  35.45  0.065  0.207  0.149  0.465  69 23 131 
India 276.30  1.709  1.615  3.893  3.624  -8 0 -15 
Indonesia  163.31  0.948  0.955  2.159  2.142  -5 -7 -3 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 37 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Iran 53.54  0.544  0.313  1.240  0.702  -28 -36 -19 
Iraq 41.74  0.489  0.244  1.113  0.547  -33 -11 -49 
Israel  49.76  0.326  0.291  0.743  0.653  -10 -6 -15 
Jamaica  1.22 0.010  0.007  0.023  0.016  -19 -16 -23 
Jordan  7.94 0.041  0.046  0.093  0.104  1 7 -4 
Kenya  6.03 0.032  0.035  0.073  0.079  0 -4 3 
Kiribati  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  6 49 -24 
Korea, Democratic People's 
Republic of  0.11 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.001  -34 12 -61 
Korea, Republic of  512.50  3.183  2.996  7.251  6.722  -8 -10 -5 
Kuwait, the State of  40.12  0.379  0.235  0.862  0.526  -25 -10 -38 
Lao People's Democratic 
Republic  6.11 0.028  0.036  0.065  0.080  6 7 5 
Lebanese Republic  4.08 0.020  0.024  0.046  0.054  3 26 -15 
Lesotho  0.89 0.006  0.005  0.015  0.012  -15 -13 -16 
Liberia  0.61 0.003  0.004  0.007  0.008  5 -1 12 
Libya  7.74 0.157  0.045  0.358  0.102  -49 -14 -70 
Macao, China  1.35 0.008  0.008  0.018  0.018  -5 5 -15 
Madagascar  1.99 0.016  0.012  0.037  0.026  -20 -13 -26 
Malawi  0.77 0.005  0.004  0.011  0.010  -7 4 -16 
Malaysia  234.13  1.302  1.369  2.966  3.071  -3 -4 -2 
Maldives  0.29 0.002  0.002  0.004  0.004  -8 6 -21 
Mali 3.92 0.019  0.023  0.043  0.051  5 3 7 
Marshall Islands  0.04 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.001  4 34 -20 
Mauritania  2.83 0.011  0.017  0.025  0.037  17 10 25 
Mauritius  1.79 0.012  0.010  0.028  0.023  -13 -6 -19 
Mexico  417.67  2.372  2.442  5.403  5.479  -4 2 -9 
Micronesia, Federated States 
of 0.05 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  3 5 2 
Mongolia  7.58 0.037  0.044  0.084  0.099  4 9 -1 
Montenegro  0.42 0.002  0.002  0.006  0.005  -6 -2 -10 
Montserrat  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  2 3 2 
Morocco  27.16  0.151  0.159  0.343  0.356  -3 2 -7 
Mozambique  3.59 0.026  0.021  0.060  0.047  -15 -7 -23 
Myanmar  16.69  0.088  0.098  0.200  0.219  0 8 -7 
Namibia  5.60 0.039  0.033  0.090  0.073  -14 -16 -10 
Nauru  0.06 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.001  161 116 216 
Nepal  0.86 0.004  0.005  0.009  0.011  4 23 -12 
New Caledonia  1.66 0.010  0.010  0.023  0.022  -7 -12 -2 
Nicaragua  5.09 0.026  0.030  0.060  0.067  1 5 -4 
Niger  1.00 0.006  0.006  0.014  0.013  -9 -6 -11 
Nigeria  35.63  0.319  0.208  0.726  0.467  -23 3 -43 
Niue 0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -44 -8 -66 
North Macedonia  6.63 0.036  0.039  0.083  0.087  -2 4 -8 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 38 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Northern Mariana Islands  0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -21 -4 -35 
Oman  31.69  0.220  0.185  0.501  0.416  -13 -7 -18 
Pakistan  21.96  0.123  0.128  0.281  0.288  -3 0 -6 
Palau  0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -21 -4 -35 
Panama  9.48 0.060  0.055  0.138  0.124  -9 -1 -16 
Papua New Guinea  9.23 0.055  0.054  0.126  0.121  -6 8 -19 
Paraguay  8.53 0.048  0.050  0.108  0.112  -3 -15 11 
Peru 42.41  0.258  0.248  0.588  0.556  -7 -3 -11 
Philippines  63.77  0.365  0.373  0.831  0.836  -4 2 -10 
Qatar  51.50  0.444  0.301  1.010  0.676  -22 -13 -29 
Rwanda  1.41 0.006  0.008  0.013  0.018  12 11 13 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  0.05 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -2 6 -10 
Saint Lucia  0.06 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -6 32 -33 
Saint Martin  0.13 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.002  -5 22 -26 
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  0.05 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  11 -13 42 
Samoa  0.04 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.000  -10 7 -24 
Sao Tomé and Principe  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -7 -18 6 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  173.85  1.549  1.016  3.529  2.280  -23 -11 -34 
Senegal  3.93 0.019  0.023  0.043  0.052  4 15 -6 
Serbia  19.50  0.101  0.114  0.230  0.256  1 2 -1 
Seychelles  0.43 0.003  0.003  0.007  0.006  -13 -9 -17 
Sierra Leone  0.37 0.003  0.002  0.007  0.005  -18 12 -41 
Singapore  362.53  2.173  2.119  4.950  4.755  -6 -5 -7 
Solomon Islands  0.37 0.003  0.002  0.007  0.005  -20 -19 -21 
Somalia  ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 
South Africa  85.83  0.495  0.502  1.126  1.126  -4 -4 -5 
Sri Lanka  10.05  0.063  0.059  0.143  0.132  -8 0 -16 
Sudan  3.80 0.018  0.022  0.042  0.050  5 7 2 
Suriname  2.35 0.011  0.014  0.025  0.031  6 3 10 
Syrian Arab Republic  0.87 0.003  0.005  0.007  0.011  18 -19 71 
Chinese Taipei  347.19  1.768  2.030  4.027  4.554  2 -2 5 
Tanzania  6.06 0.021  0.035  0.048  0.080  22 24 21 
Thailand  231.47  1.331  1.353  3.032  3.036  -4 -3 -6 
Timor -Leste  0.26 0.000  0.002  0.001  0.003  141 240 71 
Togo 1.01 0.006  0.006  0.013  0.013  -3 -2 -4 
Tokelau  0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -5 -3 -7 
Tonga  0.02 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  9 56 -24 
Trinidad and Tobago  5.22 0.055  0.030  0.126  0.068  -30 -32 -27 
Tunisia  13.81  0.082  0.081  0.186  0.181  -6 -4 -8 
Turkey  169.65  0.932  0.992  2.124  2.225  -2 2 -6 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 39 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Turks and Caicos Islands  0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -5 -3 -7 
Tuvalu  0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -49 51 -83 
Uganda  4.15 0.016  0.024  0.037  0.054  16 13 19 
Ukraine  49.22  0.249  0.288  0.568  0.646  2 6 -2 
United Arab Emirates  319.28  2.041  1.867  4.650  4.188  -9 0 -18 
Uruguay  6.86 0.039  0.040  0.090  0.090  -4 2 -11 
Vanuatu  0.05 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -13 -9 -17 
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic 
of 4.98 0.181  0.029  0.413  0.065  -62 -50 -71 
Viet Nam  282.73  1.282  1.653  2.921  3.709  8 8 7 
Wallis and Futuna Islands  0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -5 -3 -7 
Yemen  1.20 0.007  0.007  0.016  0.016  -6 6 -16 
Zambia  7.82 0.048  0.046  0.108  0.103  -7 -22 11 
Zimbabwe  4.40 0.021  0.026  0.049  0.058  4 5 3 
Memorandum                  
Developed Economies  9029.53  52.991  52.787  120.712  118.441  -5 -2 -8 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS), 
including certain associate and 
former member States  452.45  3.110  2.645  7.084  5.935  -13 -4 -20 
LDCs (46)  180.84  1.091  1.057  2.486  2.372  -7 -4 -9 
NICS(6)a 1723.27  9.823  10.074  22.375  22.604  -4 -6 -2 
a Excluding Hong Kong, China re -exports.  
- Not applicable.  
... Not available.  
Note:  Recent figures for several  countries and territories have been estimated by the Secretariat.  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 40 - 
 
  APPENDIX TABLE 2: MERCHANDISE IMPORTS OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES AND REGIONS, 
2018‑2020 
(Billion dollars and percentage)  
  Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Worlda 17391.68  100.000  100.000  - - -5 -3 -8 
Developing Economiesa 7159.38  41.676  41.166  100.000  100.000  -6 -3 -8 
Latin America and the 
Caribbean  917.49  5.826  5.275  13.980  12.815  -10 -4 -15 
Developing Europe  326.23  1.775  1.876  4.258  4.557  -3 -5 0 
Africa  508.95  3.034  2.926  7.279  7.109  -7 0 -13 
Middle East  652.81  3.893  3.754  9.341  9.118  -7 -1 -13 
Developing Asiaa 4753.89  27.149  27.334  65.142  66.401  -5 -4 -6 
Afghanistan  7.17 0.038  0.041  0.092  0.100  -2 -9 6 
Albania  5.57 0.031  0.032  0.073  0.078  -3 0 -6 
Algeria  35.12  0.239  0.202  0.574  0.491  -13 -9 -16 
American Samoa  0.60 0.003  0.003  0.008  0.008  -1 4 -6 
Angolab 9.54 0.082  0.055  0.196  0.133  -22 -11 -32 
Anguilla  0.21 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.003  -5 -3 -8 
Antigua and Barbuda  0.49 0.004  0.003  0.009  0.007  -16 0 -30 
Argentina  42.35  0.338  0.244  0.811  0.592  -20 -25 -14 
Aruba, the Netherlands with 
respect tob 0.86 0.006  0.005  0.015  0.012  -16 -2 -28 
Bahamas  1.94 0.017  0.011  0.041  0.027  -24 -7 -37 
Bahrain, Kingdom of  12.68  0.077  0.073  0.184  0.177  -8 -11 -4 
Bangladesh  52.80  0.312  0.304  0.750  0.738  -7 -2 -11 
Barbados  1.52 0.008  0.009  0.020  0.021  -2 0 -4 
Belize  0.79 0.005  0.005  0.012  0.011  -9 3 -20 
Benin  3.26 0.023  0.019  0.054  0.046  -14 -10 -17 
Bhutan  0.90 0.005  0.005  0.013  0.013  -7 -6 -8 
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  7.08 0.052  0.041  0.124  0.099  -16 -2 -28 
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and 
Saba 0.08 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -5 -3 -8 
Bosnia and Herzegovina  9.87 0.060  0.057  0.144  0.138  -8 -4 -12 
Botswana  6.52 0.033  0.037  0.078  0.091  2 4 -1 
Brazil  166.28  0.974  0.956  2.336  2.322  -6 -2 -10 
Brunei Darussalam  5.34 0.022  0.031  0.052  0.075  13 23 5 
Burkina Faso  4.12 0.022  0.024  0.053  0.058  -2 0 -4 
Burundi  0.91 0.004  0.005  0.010  0.013  7 12 2 
Cabo Verde  0.72 0.004  0.004  0.010  0.010  -6 -3 -9 
Cambodiab 19.13  0.090  0.110  0.217  0.267  5 16 -6 
Cameroon  5.36 0.029  0.031  0.070  0.075  -3 0 -5 
Cayman Islands  1.34 0.006  0.008  0.016  0.019  3 14 -6 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 41 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Central African Republicb 0.60 0.003  0.003  0.008  0.008  0 0 0 
Chadb 2.68 0.013  0.015  0.032  0.037  2 5 0 
Chile 59.23  0.386  0.341  0.925  0.827  -11 -6 -15 
China  2057.22  11.028  11.829  26.461  28.735  -2 -3 -1 
Colombia  43.49  0.265  0.250  0.635  0.607  -8 3 -17 
Comoros  0.28 0.001  0.002  0.003  0.004  7 9 6 
Congob 1.87 0.018  0.011  0.043  0.026  -27 -36 -17 
Cook Islands  0.11 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.001  -11 1 -23 
Costa Rica  14.94  0.094  0.086  0.227  0.209  -10 -4 -15 
Côte d'Ivoire  10.65  0.057  0.061  0.136  0.149  -1 -4 2 
Cuba 8.17 0.059  0.047  0.142  0.114  -16 -14 -18 
Curaçao  1.21 0.009  0.007  0.022  0.017  -17 -17 -17 
Democratic Republic of the 
Congo  6.66 0.041  0.038  0.098  0.093  -8 11 -24 
Djiboutib 3.43 0.019  0.020  0.045  0.048  -2 15 -17 
Dominica  0.21 0.002  0.001  0.004  0.003  -16 6 -33 
Dominican Republicb 17.05  0.104  0.098  0.250  0.238  -8 0 -16 
Ecuador  17.96  0.120  0.103  0.287  0.251  -12 -3 -20 
Egypt  59.84  0.372  0.344  0.892  0.836  -9 -2 -16 
El Salvador  10.33  0.059  0.059  0.142  0.144  -5 1 -11 
Equatorial Guineab 1.72 0.016  0.010  0.038  0.024  -25 -26 -24 
Eritrea  0.98 0.005  0.006  0.013  0.014  -4 8 -15 
Eswatini  1.53 0.010  0.009  0.023  0.021  -9 -1 -16 
Ethiopia  13.11  0.079  0.075  0.190  0.183  -7 -5 -10 
Fiji 1.73 0.014  0.010  0.034  0.024  -20 1 -37 
French Polynesia  1.70 0.012  0.010  0.028  0.024  -13 -6 -19 
Gabon  2.94 0.016  0.017  0.038  0.041  -2 2 -6 
The Gambia  0.70 0.003  0.004  0.008  0.010  1 -8 12 
Ghana  12.43  0.068  0.071  0.163  0.174  -3 2 -7 
Grenada  0.39 0.002  0.002  0.006  0.005  -8 1 -16 
Guam  0.60 0.006  0.003  0.013  0.008  -25 -2 -43 
Guatemala  18.20  0.102  0.105  0.244  0.254  -4 1 -8 
Guinea  3.37 0.017  0.019  0.042  0.047  0 2 -3 
Guinea -Bissaub 0.29 0.001  0.002  0.004  0.004  0 18 -15 
Guyana  2.07 0.012  0.012  0.030  0.029  -7 68 -49 
Haiti 2.97 0.025  0.017  0.060  0.041  -22 -6 -34 
Hondurasb 10.24  0.064  0.059  0.154  0.143  -9 -3 -16 
Hong Kong, China  569.77  3.236  3.276  7.764  7.958  -5 -8 -1 
retained imports  133.44  0.795  0.767  1.908  1.864  -7 -12 -2 
India 372.85  2.656  2.144  6.374  5.208  -15 -6 -23 
Indonesia  141.62  0.974  0.814  2.338  1.978  -13 -9 -17 
Iran 38.76  0.255  0.223  0.611  0.541  -11 -15 -7 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 42 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Iraq 44.48  0.294  0.256  0.705  0.621  -12 -19 -4 
Israel  69.98  0.396  0.402  0.949  0.978  -4 0 -9 
Jamaica  4.71 0.032  0.027  0.076  0.066  -12 3 -26 
Jordan  17.01  0.105  0.098  0.252  0.238  -8 -6 -11 
Kenya  15.44  0.090  0.089  0.215  0.216  -6 2 -13 
Kiribati  0.13 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.002  5 8 1 
Korea, Democratic People's 
Republic of  0.86 0.014  0.005  0.032  0.012  -43 14 -71 
Korea, Republic of  467.63  2.764  2.689  6.631  6.532  -7 -6 -7 
Kuwait, the State of  27.74  0.185  0.159  0.444  0.387  -12 -6 -17 
Lao People's Democratic 
Republic  5.37 0.033  0.031  0.078  0.075  -8 -1 -14 
Lebanese Republic  11.35  0.105  0.065  0.253  0.159  -25 -4 -42 
Lesotho  1.81 0.011  0.010  0.027  0.025  -9 -8 -10 
Liberia  1.10 0.006  0.006  0.014  0.015  -2 -24 27 
Libya  13.40  0.071  0.077  0.171  0.187  -1 20 -19 
Macao, China  11.59  0.058  0.067  0.138  0.162  2 0 4 
Madagascar  3.22 0.021  0.019  0.050  0.045  -11 -3 -18 
Malawi  2.82 0.014  0.016  0.034  0.039  2 9 -4 
Malaysia  189.86  1.124  1.092  2.696  2.652  -7 -6 -7 
Maldives  1.84 0.015  0.011  0.037  0.026  -21 -2 -36 
Mali 4.88 0.024  0.028  0.058  0.068  2 9 -5 
Marshall Islands  0.08 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  0 -9 10 
Mauritania  2.74 0.016  0.016  0.039  0.038  -7 11 -22 
Mauritius  4.23 0.029  0.024  0.070  0.059  -14 -1 -24 
Mexico  393.25  2.461  2.261  5.904  5.493  -9 -2 -16 
Micronesia, Federated States 
of 0.21 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.003  2 -2 6 
Mongolia  5.29 0.030  0.030  0.073  0.074  -5 4 -14 
Montenegro  2.40 0.016  0.014  0.037  0.034  -11 -3 -17 
Montserrat  0.03 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -5 -4 -6 
Morocco  43.83  0.264  0.252  0.632  0.612  -7 -1 -14 
Mozambique  6.47 0.036  0.037  0.086  0.090  -3 7 -13 
Myanmar  17.95  0.100  0.103  0.240  0.251  -4 -4 -3 
Namibia  6.82 0.043  0.039  0.103  0.095  -9 -2 -16 
Nauru  0.04 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -5 -24 19 
Nepal  9.86 0.066  0.057  0.157  0.138  -12 -3 -20 
New Caledonia  2.59 0.014  0.015  0.035  0.036  -4 5 -12 
Nicaragua  6.55 0.038  0.038  0.091  0.091  -6 -5 -6 
Niger  2.38 0.012  0.014  0.028  0.033  2 2 2 
Nigeria  55.39  0.222  0.318  0.533  0.774  13 28 0 
Niue 0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -19 -24 -14 
North Macedonia  8.71 0.047  0.050  0.112  0.122  -2 5 -8 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 43 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Northern Mariana Islands  0.39 0.003  0.002  0.007  0.005  -19 0 -34 
Oman  20.96  0.133  0.121  0.319  0.293  -10 -9 -11 
Pakistan  45.80  0.310  0.263  0.744  0.640  -13 -16 -9 
Palau  0.17 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.002  -3 9 -14 
Panama  14.74  0.119  0.085  0.285  0.206  -20 -7 -31 
Papua New Guineab 2.64 0.018  0.015  0.044  0.037  -13 12 -33 
Paraguay  10.22  0.069  0.059  0.165  0.143  -12 -6 -19 
Peru 36.13  0.223  0.208  0.536  0.505  -9 -2 -15 
Philippines  90.65  0.616  0.521  1.478  1.266  -13 -2 -23 
Qatar  25.83  0.164  0.149  0.393  0.361  -10 -8 -11 
Rwanda  2.54 0.013  0.015  0.031  0.036  2 8 -4 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  0.27 0.002  0.002  0.004  0.004  -10 1 -20 
Saint Lucia  0.50 0.003  0.003  0.008  0.007  -12 -9 -16 
Saint Martin  0.60 0.005  0.003  0.011  0.008  -20 0 -35 
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  0.31 0.002  0.002  0.004  0.004  -6 -5 -8 
Samoa  0.31 0.002  0.002  0.004  0.004  -7 8 -20 
Sao Tomé and Principe  0.14 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.002  -4 0 -8 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  138.00  0.708  0.793  1.698  1.928  0 12 -10 
Senegal  7.81 0.042  0.045  0.100  0.109  -2 1 -4 
Serbia  26.23  0.134  0.151  0.321  0.366  1 3 -2 
Seychelles  1.00 0.007  0.006  0.016  0.014  -11 -8 -14 
Sierra Leone  1.26 0.007  0.007  0.017  0.018  -4 16 -20 
Singapore  329.83  1.915  1.896  4.595  4.607  -6 -3 -8 
Solomon Islands  0.48 0.003  0.003  0.007  0.007  -11 -2 -19 
Somalia  ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 
South Africa  84.06  0.588  0.483  1.412  1.174  -14 -6 -22 
Sri Lanka  16.06  0.115  0.092  0.275  0.224  -15 -10 -19 
Sudan  9.84 0.041  0.057  0.097  0.137  12 18 6 
Suriname  1.33 0.008  0.008  0.018  0.019  -5 15 -22 
Syrian Arab Republic  5.42 0.038  0.031  0.092  0.076  -15 -10 -19 
Chinese Taipei  288.05  1.478  1.656  3.548  4.023  0 0 0 
Tanzania  7.89 0.047  0.045  0.113  0.110  -7 4 -17 
Thailand  206.99  1.282  1.190  3.075  2.891  -9 -5 -12 
Timor -Leste  0.63 0.003  0.004  0.006  0.009  10 14 6 
Togo 2.17 0.011  0.012  0.026  0.030  1 -1 4 
Tokelau  0.00 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -5 -3 -7 
Tonga  0.23 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.003  0 3 -4 
Trinidad and Tobago  4.67 0.040  0.027  0.096  0.065  -22 -18 -26 
Tunisia  18.35  0.117  0.106  0.281  0.256  -10 -5 -15 
Turkey  219.51  1.194  1.262  2.864  3.066  -3 -9 4 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 44 - 
 
    Value  Share in world  Share in developing 
economies  Annual percentage 
change  
  2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Turks and Caicos Islands  0.33 0.002  0.002  0.004  0.005  -5 -3 -8 
Tuvalu  0.03 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  15 28 4 
Uganda  8.25 0.035  0.047  0.083  0.115  11 12 10 
Ukraine  53.93  0.295  0.310  0.707  0.753  -3 6 -11 
United Arab Emirates  225.74  1.350  1.298  3.240  3.153  -7 2 -16 
Uruguay  7.56 0.046  0.043  0.110  0.106  -8 -7 -8 
Vanuatu  0.30 0.002  0.002  0.005  0.004  -12 -9 -16 
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic 
of 6.59 0.060  0.038  0.145  0.092  -25 -50 12 
Viet Nam  262.75  1.223  1.511  2.935  3.670  5 7 4 
Wallis and Futuna Islands  0.06 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -5 -3 -8 
Yemen  7.40 0.042  0.043  0.102  0.103  -5 27 -29 
Zambia  5.32 0.049  0.031  0.117  0.074  -25 -24 -26 
Zimbabwe  5.00 0.033  0.029  0.079  0.070  -12 -25 4 
Memorandum                  
Developed Economies  9863.44  56.364  56.714  135.243  137.769  -5 -3 -7 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS), 
including associate and former 
member States  368.86  1.959  2.121  4.702  5.152  -1 5 -8 
LDCs (46)  247.54  1.427  1.423  3.425  3.458  -5 1 -11 
NICS (6)a 1615.80  9.357  9.291  22.453  22.569  -6 -5 -6 
a Excluding Hong Kong, China imports for re -exports.  
b Imports are valued f.o.b.  
 
- Not applicable.  
... Not available.  
 
Note:  Recent figures for several  countries and territories have been estimated by the Secretariat.  
  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 45 - 
 
  APPENDIX TABLE  3: COMMERCIAL SERVICES EXPORTS OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES AND 
REGIONS, 2018-2020 
(Billion dollars and percentage)  
 Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
World  4913.81  100.000  100.000  - - -10 2 -20 
Developing Economies  1451.42  30.887  29.538  100.000  100.000  -12 4 -25 
Latin America and the 
Caribbean  121.13  3.233  2.465  10.468  8.345  -21 1 -38 
Developing Europe  48.90  1.269  0.995  4.109  3.369  -20 8 -41 
Africa  77.75  1.900  1.582  6.151  5.357  -17 4 -34 
Middle East  178.00  3.696  3.622  11.968  12.264  -11 13 -29 
Developing Asia  1010.42  20.530  20.563  66.468  69.616  -10 3 -20 
Afghanistan  0.60 0.010  0.012  0.033  0.041  -2 -19 18 
Albania  2.47 0.059  0.050  0.192  0.170  -17 5 -34 
Algeria  3.05 0.054  0.062  0.174  0.210  -3 -2 -3 
Angola  0.07 0.010  0.001  0.034  0.005  -68 -28 -85 
Anguilla  0.14 0.004  0.003  0.012  0.009  -23 11 -46 
Antigua and Barbuda  0.58 0.018  0.012  0.060  0.040  -28 15 -55 
Argentina  9.24 0.250  0.188  0.811  0.636  -22 -7 -34 
Aruba (the Netherlands with 
respect to)  1.32 0.039  0.027  0.126  0.091  -25 3 -45 
Bahamas  1.25 0.068  0.026  0.219  0.086  -45 8 -72 
Bahrain, Kingdom of  11.47  0.204  0.233  0.660  0.790  -3 -4 -3 
Bangladesh  3.45 0.049  0.070  0.160  0.238  8 7 9 
Barbados  0.78 0.022  0.016  0.073  0.053  -24 9 -47 
Belize  0.38 0.010  0.008  0.031  0.026  -19 9 -40 
Benin  0.41 0.008  0.008  0.026  0.028  -8 5 -20 
Bhutan  0.13 0.003  0.003  0.010  0.009  -14 -8 -20 
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  0.60 0.024  0.012  0.077  0.042  -35 -1 -58 
Bosnia and Herzegovina  1.31 0.038  0.027  0.123  0.090  -24 3 -44 
Botswana  0.49 0.015  0.010  0.050  0.033  -27 -5 -45 
Brazil  27.86  0.575  0.567  1.862  1.919  -10 -3 -17 
Brunei Darussalam  0.33 0.009  0.007  0.030  0.023  -22 9 -44 
Burkina Faso  0.41 0.008  0.008  0.027  0.028  -10 -3 -16 
Burundi  0.02 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -21 -25 -16 
Cabo Verde  0.26 0.011  0.005  0.036  0.018  -37 7 -63 
Cambodia  1.81 0.087  0.037  0.283  0.125  -41 12 -69 
Cameroon  1.55 0.033  0.032  0.108  0.107  -12 5 -26 
Cayman Islands  2.89 0.061  0.059  0.196  0.199  -11 3 -23 
Central African Republic  0.04 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.002  -17 -1 -31 
Chad 0.20 0.005  0.004  0.015  0.014  -14 3 -28 
Chile 6.32 0.165  0.129  0.535  0.435  -20 -7 -32 
China  278.08  4.486  5.659  14.523  19.160  2 4 -1 
Colombia  4.90 0.158  0.100  0.510  0.337  -28 3 -50 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 46 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Comoros  0.06 0.002  0.001  0.005  0.004  -20 -4 -33 
Congo  0.62 0.014  0.013  0.045  0.043  -13 -11 -16 
Cook Island s 0.14 0.004  0.003  0.014  0.010  -26 17 -53 
Costa Rica  6.81 0.150  0.139  0.487  0.469  -13 6 -29 
Côte d'Ivoire  1.02 0.019  0.021  0.061  0.070  -5 -1 -9 
Cuba 6.50 0.196  0.132  0.633  0.448  -26 -13 -36 
Curaçao  0.73 0.022  0.015  0.071  0.050  -26 2 -46 
Democratic Republic of the 
Congo  0.12 0.001  0.002  0.005  0.008  14 42 -9 
Djibouti  0.61 0.012  0.012  0.038  0.042  -7 11 -22 
Dominica  0.07 0.002  0.001  0.007  0.005  -31 33 -64 
Dominican Republic  3.83 0.151  0.078  0.490  0.264  -35 -1 -57 
Ecuador  1.65 0.052  0.034  0.167  0.114  -27 3 -49 
Egypt  14.38  0.381  0.293  1.234  0.991  -21 6 -41 
El Salvador  2.03 0.046  0.041  0.148  0.140  -14 14 -35 
Equatorial Guinea  0.37 0.009  0.008  0.029  0.026  -17 -3 -29 
Eritrea  0.23 0.004  0.005  0.013  0.016  -4 -1 -8 
Eswatini  0.07 0.001  0.001  0.004  0.005  0 29 -23 
Ethiopia  4.32 0.075  0.088  0.243  0.298  -2 3 -7 
Fiji 0.34 0.026  0.007  0.083  0.024  -53 -2 -77 
French Polynesia  0.54 0.018  0.011  0.057  0.037  -29 -3 -48 
Gabon  0.16 0.003  0.003  0.011  0.011  -13 2 -27 
Ghana  8.06 0.126  0.164  0.407  0.555  3 30 -18 
Grenada  0.24 0.010  0.005  0.032  0.017  -36 0 -60 
Guatemala  2.53 0.060  0.051  0.194  0.174  -16 0 -30 
Guinea  0.04 0.002  0.001  0.005  0.003  -37 -6 -58 
Guinea -Bissau  0.03 0.001  0.001  0.002  0.002  -16 8 -35 
Guyana  0.25 0.003  0.005  0.008  0.017  26 43 11 
Haiti 0.20 0.011  0.004  0.036  0.014  -45 -26 -59 
Honduras  1.94 0.046  0.039  0.149  0.134  -16 6 -33 
Hong Kong, China  63.73  1.880  1.297  6.088  4.391  -25 -10 -37 
India 202.60  3.398  4.123  11.003  13.959  0 5 -5 
Indonesia  14.26  0.507  0.290  1.642  0.982  -32 1 -54 
Iran 4.48 0.160  0.091  0.517  0.309  -32 4 -55 
Iraq 3.50 0.088  0.071  0.286  0.241  -19 32 -50 
Israel  52.55  0.842  1.069  2.726  3.620  2 10 -5 
Jamaica  2.11 0.063  0.043  0.205  0.146  -25 13 -51 
Jordan  2.32 0.118  0.047  0.381  0.160  -43 9 -70 
Kenya  3.00 0.077  0.061  0.249  0.207  -20 0 -36 
Kiribati  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.001  7 25 -8 
Korea, Republic of  86.15  1.629  1.753  5.275  5.935  -6 0 -12 
Kuwait, the State of  6.70 0.126  0.136  0.407  0.462  -6 -1 -10 
Lao People’s Democratic 
Republic  0.35 0.016  0.007  0.053  0.024  -41 20 -71 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 47 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Lebanese Republic  4.99 0.259  0.101  0.837  0.343  -43 -13 -63 
Lesotho  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.002  0.001  -43 -10 -64 
Liberia  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  2 6 -2 
Libya  0.12 0.002  0.002  0.007  0.008  -6 0 -11 
Macao, China  10.61  0.726  0.216  2.351  0.731  -51 0 -76 
Madagascar  0.63 0.022  0.013  0.072  0.043  -32 8 -57 
Malawi  0.16 0.003  0.003  0.009  0.011  0 9 -7 
Malaysia  21.78  0.668  0.443  2.162  1.501  -26 2 -47 
Maldives  1.51 0.054  0.031  0.174  0.104  -32 4 -55 
Mali 0.54 0.008  0.011  0.026  0.037  6 38 -19 
Marshall Islands  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -20 3 -37 
Mauritania  0.11 0.002  0.002  0.006  0.008  -1 9 -11 
Mauritius  1.30 0.053  0.026  0.173  0.089  -36 -8 -56 
Mexico  16.80  0.475  0.342  1.539  1.158  -23 10 -46 
Micronesia, Federated States 
of 0.04 0.001  0.001  0.005  0.003  -32 2 -55 
Mongolia  0.65 0.019  0.013  0.062  0.045  -25 6 -47 
Montenegro  0.76 0.030  0.015  0.099  0.052  -36 3 -60 
Montserrat  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -26 -13 -37 
Morocco  13.27  0.299  0.270  0.969  0.914  -14 4 -29 
Mozambique  0.76 0.013  0.016  0.042  0.053  -1 19 -18 
Myanmar  4.33 0.074  0.088  0.238  0.298  -1 46 -33 
Namibia  0.35 0.012  0.007  0.039  0.024  -30 -11 -46 
Nauru  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -23 -4 -37 
Nepal  0.83 0.025  0.017  0.080  0.057  -25 2 -45 
New Caledonia  0.24 0.007  0.005  0.021  0.017  -21 -6 -34 
Nicaragua  0.88 0.021  0.018  0.068  0.061  -16 1 -30 
Niger  0.21 0.004  0.004  0.012  0.014  -4 5 -13 
Nigeria  3.53 0.072  0.072  0.234  0.243  -10 3 -21 
Niue 0.01 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -20 3 -37 
North Macedonia  1.64 0.031  0.033  0.100  0.113  -6 -2 -10 
Oman  1.83 0.076  0.037  0.247  0.126  -37 9 -63 
Pakistan  4.38 0.078  0.089  0.253  0.302  -3 -1 -6 
Palau  0.06 0.002  0.001  0.006  0.004  -31 -11 -46 
Palestine  0.57 0.011  0.012  0.037  0.039  -9 4 -20 
Panama  8.50 0.228  0.173  0.737  0.586  -21 1 -38 
Papua New Guinea  0.18 0.006  0.004  0.019  0.012  -29 -10 -44 
Paraguay  0.66 0.016  0.013  0.053  0.045  -19 -2 -32 
Peru 3.24 0.115  0.066  0.373  0.223  -32 7 -56 
Philippines  31.39  0.638  0.639  2.067  2.163  -10 7 -24 
Qatar  18.38  0.296  0.374  0.957  1.266  2 3 0 
Rwanda  0.29 0.011  0.006  0.035  0.020  -33 15 -61 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  0.17 0.007  0.003  0.023  0.012  -38 2 -62 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 48 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Saint Lucia  0.39 0.017  0.008  0.056  0.027  -39 10 -66 
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  0.12 0.005  0.002  0.015  0.008  -35 9 -61 
Samoa  0.21 0.004  0.004  0.014  0.015  -9 8 -23 
Sao Tomé and Principe  0.02 0.001  0.000  0.004  0.002  -43 -34 -51 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  9.64 0.330  0.196  1.069  0.664  -30 19 -59 
Senegal  0.76 0.020  0.015  0.065  0.052  -21 -1 -37 
Serbia  7.04 0.119  0.143  0.384  0.485  -1 9 -9 
Seychelles  0.65 0.018  0.013  0.059  0.045  -23 1 -41 
Sierra Leone  0.04 0.002  0.001  0.005  0.003  -31 -31 -32 
Singapore  187.26  3.434  3.811  11.117  12.902  -5 5 -14 
Sint Maarten  0.46 0.011  0.009  0.035  0.032  -16 39 -49 
Solomon Islands  0.04 0.002  0.001  0.007  0.003  -44 -10 -65 
Somalia*  0.26 0.007  0.005  0.022  0.018  -19 2 -36 
South Africa  7.24 0.259  0.147  0.840  0.499  -32 -8 -50 
South Sudan  0.10 0.002  0.002  0.008  0.007  -16 -26 -5 
Sri Lanka  3.01 0.139  0.061  0.449  0.207  -40 -11 -60 
Sudan  1.23 0.025  0.025  0.080  0.084  -9 -9 -9 
Suriname  0.10 0.003  0.002  0.009  0.007  -23 -7 -36 
Syrian Arab Republic  0.14 0.005  0.003  0.016  0.010  … … … 
Chinese Taipei  40.99  0.829  0.834  2.683  2.824  -9 3 -20 
Tanzania  2.29 0.067  0.047  0.215  0.158  -24 7 -47 
Thailand  31.42  1.283  0.639  4.155  2.165  -36 5 -61 
The Gambia  0.12 0.003  0.002  0.011  0.008  -23 9 -46 
Timor -Leste  0.03 0.001  0.001  0.004  0.002  -36 -7 -56 
Togo 0.45 0.010  0.009  0.032  0.031  -13 -2 -22 
Tonga  0.07 0.001  0.001  0.005  0.005  -9 8 -24 
Trinidad and Tobago  0.48 0.013  0.010  0.043  0.033  -22 -1 -39 
Tunisia  2.15 0.061  0.044  0.199  0.148  -24 9 -47 
Turkey  34.57  0.962  0.704  3.115  2.382  -23 9 -45 
Tuvalu  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.000  0.000  -10 15 -29 
Uganda  0.88 0.027  0.018  0.087  0.061  -26 9 -50 
Ukraine  15.22  0.258  0.310  0.837  1.049  -1 10 -11 
United Arab Emirates  61.27  1.179  1.247  3.817  4.221  -7 26 -31 
Uruguay  3.50 0.089  0.071  0.288  0.241  -19 -3 -33 
Vanuatu  0.13 0.006  0.003  0.020  0.009  -40 -9 -61 
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic 
of 0.32 0.013  0.007  0.042  0.022  -35 5 -60 
Viet Nam  18.68  0.407  0.380  1.318  1.287  -13 12 -32 
Yemen  0.17 0.003  0.003  0.010  0.012  -3 34 -29 
Zambia  0.55 0.016  0.011  0.051  0.038  -24 6 -45 
Zimbabwe  0.15 0.006  0.003  0.021  0.010  -38 1 -62 
Memorandum                  
Developed Economies  3391.59  67.458  69.022  - - -9 2 -18 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 49 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS), 
including associate and former 
member States  70.80  1.655  1.441  - - -16 -1 -28 
LDCs (46)  27.94  0.654  0.569  2.117  1.925  -16 10 -35 
NICS(6)  431.33  9.723  8.778  31.480  29.718  -14 1 -27 
 
-  Not applicable.  
...  Not available.  
 
Note:  Recent figures for several countries and territories have been estimated by the Secretariat.  
  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 50 - 
 
  APPENDIX TABLE  4: COMMERCIAL SERVICES IMPORTS OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES AND 
REGIONS, 2018 -2020 
(Billion dollars and percentage)  
 Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
World  4596.40  100.000  100.000  - - -10 3 -21 
Developing Economies  1618.71  37.745  35.217  100.000  100.000  -13 0 -25 
Latin America and the 
Caribbean  151.55  3.984  3.297  10.556  9.362  -18 -3 -31 
Developing Europe  34.62  0.688  0.753  1.822  2.139  -6 1 -12 
Africa  134.08  3.029  2.917  8.026  8.283  -12 4 -25 
Middle East  218.37  5.269  4.751  13.959  13.490  -15 5 -31 
Developing Asia  1070.05  24.532  23.280  64.994  66.105  -12 -1 -23 
Afghanistan  1.04 0.023  0.023  0.061  0.064  -11 -12 -10 
Albania  1.25 0.039  0.027  0.102  0.077  -24 5 -46 
Algeria  7.74 0.200  0.168  0.531  0.478  -18 -17 -18 
Angola  5.41 0.172  0.118  0.455  0.334  -26 -18 -32 
Anguilla  0.07 0.002  0.001  0.005  0.004  -23 -10 -34 
Antigua and Barbuda  0.27 0.009  0.006  0.024  0.017  -27 5 -49 
Argentina  11.60  0.422  0.252  1.119  0.717  -30 -20 -39 
Aruba (the Netherlands with 
respect to)  0.79 0.017  0.017  0.046  0.049  -11 0 -21 
Bahamas  1.20 0.029  0.026  0.078  0.074  -15 -1 -28 
Bahrain, Kingdom of  9.26 0.142  0.202  0.376  0.572  7 0 15 
Bangladesh  8.05 0.163  0.175  0.432  0.497  -7 1 -14 
Barbados  0.27 0.009  0.006  0.024  0.017  -28 7 -52 
Belize  0.16 0.004  0.003  0.010  0.010  -16 0 -29 
Benin  0.58 0.013  0.013  0.036  0.036  -13 5 -28 
Bhutan  0.21 0.004  0.005  0.010  0.013  -1 -6 3 
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  1.74 0.054  0.038  0.142  0.108  -24 -6 -39 
Bosnia and Herzegovina  0.51 0.013  0.011  0.034  0.032  -16 5 -33 
Botswana  0.68 0.020  0.015  0.052  0.042  -22 -6 -35 
Brazil  47.36  1.215  1.030  3.220  2.926  -17 -2 -30 
Brunei Darussalam  1.18 0.027  0.026  0.072  0.073  -13 15 -34 
Burkina Faso  1.57 0.026  0.034  0.070  0.097  2 -3 8 
Burundi  0.20 0.004  0.004  0.010  0.012  -4 15 -21 
Cabo Verde  0.20 0.006  0.004  0.017  0.013  -25 -6 -40 
Cambodia  2.04 0.053  0.044  0.141  0.126  -18 7 -37 
Cameroon  2.24 0.046  0.049  0.123  0.138  -8 5 -19 
Cayman Islands  1.09 0.024  0.024  0.065  0.067  -11 2 -23 
Central African Republic  0.26 0.007  0.006  0.018  0.016  -19 0 -35 
Chad 1.52 0.029  0.033  0.078  0.094  -4 5 -13 
Chile 11.32  0.257  0.246  0.680  0.699  -12 -2 -21 
China  377.53  9.154  8.214  24.253  23.323  -15 -5 -24 
Colombia  9.09 0.235  0.198  0.623  0.562  -18 3 -34 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 51 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Comoros  0.10 0.002  0.002  0.005  0.006  -6 3 -13 
Congo  2.38 0.061  0.052  0.161  0.147  -17 -7 -26 
Cook Islands  0.05 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.003  -16 -2 -28 
Costa Rica  3.41 0.069  0.074  0.182  0.210  -7 7 -18 
Côte d'Ivoire  3.12 0.060  0.068  0.158  0.193  -4 -2 -6 
Cuba 1.41 0.039  0.031  0.102  0.087  -20 -8 -30 
Curaçao  0.51 0.017  0.011  0.046  0.031  -28 -13 -40 
Democratic Republic of the 
Congo  2.50 0.047  0.054  0.124  0.154  -3 -20 17 
Djibouti  0.49 0.010  0.011  0.026  0.030  -6 7 -17 
Dominica  0.11 0.003  0.002  0.008  0.007  -19 12 -41 
Dominican Republic  3.00 0.066  0.065  0.175  0.186  -11 9 -26 
Ecuador  2.69 0.068  0.058  0.179  0.166  -16 6 -34 
Egypt  17.13  0.313  0.373  0.831  1.058  -2 14 -16 
El Salvador  1.43 0.034  0.031  0.090  0.088  -14 2 -27 
Equatorial Guinea  1.18 0.042  0.026  0.110  0.073  -29 -20 -37 
Eritrea  0.09 0.003  0.002  0.007  0.005  -24 -5 -39 
Eswatini  0.17 0.004  0.004  0.011  0.011  -14 -27 2 
Ethiopia  5.37 0.108  0.117  0.285  0.332  -6 -1 -12 
Fiji 0.48 0.013  0.010  0.033  0.030  -18 8 -38 
French Polynesia  0.34 0.008  0.007  0.021  0.021  -13 10 -30 
Gabon  1.69 0.034  0.037  0.089  0.104  -6 3 -14 
Ghana  10.15  0.158  0.221  0.417  0.627  6 22 -7 
Grenada  0.16 0.004  0.004  0.011  0.010  -17 9 -38 
Guatemala  2.75 0.061  0.060  0.162  0.170  -11 2 -22 
Guinea  1.01 0.014  0.022  0.037  0.062  13 7 19 
Guinea -Bissau  0.15 0.003  0.003  0.008  0.009  -5 0 -11 
Guyana  1.23 0.018  0.027  0.048  0.076  10 37 -13 
Haiti 0.57 0.020  0.012  0.053  0.035  -30 -11 -44 
Honduras  1.82 0.040  0.040  0.107  0.112  -11 4 -24 
Hong Kong, China  50.92  1.433  1.108  3.795  3.146  -21 -1 -37 
India 152.86  3.075  3.326  8.148  9.443  -7 2 -14 
Indonesia  24.45  0.662  0.532  1.753  1.511  -19 4 -38 
Iran 6.84 0.291  0.149  0.770  0.422  -36 -15 -51 
Iraq 13.68  0.313  0.298  0.828  0.845  -12 27 -40 
Israel  25.04  0.537  0.545  1.421  1.547  -9 5 -22 
Jamaica  1.68 0.041  0.037  0.110  0.104  -16 9 -35 
Jordan  2.90 0.083  0.063  0.220  0.179  -22 0 -38 
Kenya  3.33 0.064  0.072  0.168  0.206  -4 -1 -7 
Kiribati  0.05 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.003  -1 -1 0 
Korea, Republic of  101.59  2.238  2.210  5.930  6.276  -11 -2 -19 
Kuwait, the State of  17.46  0.622  0.380  1.648  1.079  -30 -19 -39 
Lao People’s Democratic 
Republic  0.44 0.022  0.010  0.058  0.027  -40 0 -64 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 52 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Lebanese Republic  5.73 0.250  0.125  0.663  0.354  -37 -6 -57 
Lesotho  0.34 0.008  0.007  0.020  0.021  -11 -7 -15 
Liberia  0.22 0.004  0.005  0.009  0.014  6 9 3 
Libya  4.15 0.080  0.090  0.211  0.257  -4 44 -36 
Macao, China  3.04 0.093  0.066  0.247  0.188  -24 -8 -38 
Madagascar  0.65 0.020  0.014  0.052  0.040  -24 -9 -36 
Malawi  0.28 0.005  0.006  0.014  0.017  -5 12 -18 
Malaysia  33.06  0.779  0.719  2.065  2.042  -14 -2 -24 
Maldives  0.71 0.023  0.015  0.062  0.044  -27 0 -47 
Mali 1.61 0.025  0.035  0.065  0.099  7 10 5 
Marshall Islands  0.06 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.004  -7 0 -13 
Mauritania  0.79 0.011  0.017  0.030  0.049  11 16 6 
Mauritius  1.31 0.038  0.029  0.100  0.081  -22 -1 -38 
Mexico  25.04  0.658  0.545  1.744  1.547  -18 -1 -32 
Micronesia, Federated States 
of 0.06 0.001  0.001  0.004  0.004  -12 2 -25 
Mongolia  2.08 0.045  0.045  0.120  0.129  -10 24 -35 
Montenegro  0.55 0.013  0.012  0.034  0.034  -13 3 -27 
Montserrat  0.01 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -20 -3 -34 
Morocco  6.13 0.163  0.133  0.431  0.379  -19 -7 -29 
Mozambique  2.38 0.076  0.052  0.201  0.147  -26 -36 -14 
Myanmar  3.42 0.059  0.074  0.157  0.211  1 6 -5 
Namibia  0.42 0.009  0.009  0.025  0.026  -11 1 -22 
Nauru  0.02 0.001  0.000  0.001  0.001  -15 -4 -24 
Nepal  1.07 0.031  0.023  0.083  0.066  -22 -5 -36 
New Caledonia  0.98 0.021  0.021  0.056  0.060  -10 -2 -16 
Nicaragua  0.59 0.016  0.013  0.043  0.037  -20 -12 -27 
Niger  1.16 0.019  0.025  0.050  0.071  4 -2 9 
Nigeria  19.60  0.538  0.426  1.427  1.211  -20 26 -49 
Niue 0.01 0.000  0.000  0.001  0.001  -7 0 -13 
North Macedonia  1.12 0.025  0.024  0.065  0.069  -11 2 -21 
Oman  5.54 0.206  0.121  0.546  0.342  -31 3 -54 
Pakistan  7.31 0.196  0.159  0.518  0.451  -19 -13 -25 
Palau  0.04 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.002  -24 -3 -41 
Palestine  1.35 0.028  0.029  0.074  0.083  -8 2 -17 
Panama  3.01 0.085  0.065  0.225  0.186  -21 4 -40 
Papua New Guinea  1.32 0.028  0.029  0.075  0.082  -10 1 -19 
Paraguay  0.87 0.022  0.019  0.058  0.053  -17 -3 -29 
Peru 7.32 0.170  0.159  0.451  0.452  -13 9 -31 
Philippines  17.75  0.462  0.386  1.224  1.096  -18 5 -36 
Qatar  32.90  0.540  0.716  1.432  2.032  3 9 -2 
Rwanda  0.54 0.016  0.012  0.044  0.034  -24 -3 -40 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  0.19 0.004  0.004  0.011  0.012  -11 16 -32 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 53 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Saint Lucia  0.21 0.007  0.005  0.019  0.013  -28 12 -53 
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  0.09 0.002  0.002  0.006  0.005  -20 12 -43 
Samoa  0.11 0.002  0.002  0.004  0.007  13 23 5 
Sao Tomé and Principe  0.04 0.001  0.001  0.003  0.003  -17 -2 -30 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  38.20  0.968  0.831  2.566  2.360  -17 0 -31 
Senegal  2.33 0.029  0.051  0.077  0.144  19 10 29 
Serbia  5.76 0.104  0.125  0.275  0.356  -1 11 -12 
Seychelles  0.49 0.012  0.011  0.031  0.030  -14 2 -28 
Sierra Leone  0.40 0.007  0.009  0.017  0.025  4 9 0 
Singapore  172.48  3.514  3.753  9.311  10.655  -7 4 -17 
Sint Maarten  0.15 0.005  0.003  0.014  0.010  -28 3 -50 
Solomon Islands  0.13 0.003  0.003  0.009  0.008  -19 18 -44 
Somalia  1.66 0.026  0.036  0.069  0.103  6 5 7 
South Africa  9.56 0.283  0.208  0.751  0.590  -23 -5 -38 
South Sudan  1.12 0.013  0.024  0.036  0.069  21 37 7 
Sri Lanka  3.91 0.119  0.085  0.315  0.242  -24 -3 -40 
Sudan  1.20 0.019  0.026  0.050  0.074  6 22 -8 
Suriname  0.56 0.012  0.012  0.031  0.035  -8 21 -31 
Syrian Arab Republic  0.55 0.016  0.012  0.042  0.034  … … … 
Chinese Taipei  37.31  0.988  0.812  2.617  2.305  -19 0 -34 
Tanzania  1.14 0.032  0.025  0.086  0.071  -21 -9 -31 
Thailand  46.56  0.961  1.013  2.546  2.877  -8 3 -18 
The Gambia  0.10 0.002  0.002  0.005  0.006  0 -5 6 
Timor -Leste  0.21 0.006  0.005  0.016  0.013  -22 -7 -35 
Togo 0.41 0.008  0.009  0.022  0.025  -6 -4 -9 
Tonga  0.09 0.002  0.002  0.005  0.005  -5 0 -10 
Trinidad and Tobago  1.40 0.044  0.030  0.116  0.086  -25 -25 -25 
Tunisia  2.17 0.053  0.047  0.139  0.134  -15 -5 -24 
Turkey  24.77  0.481  0.539  1.275  1.530  -5 -2 -8 
Tuvalu  0.02 0.001  0.000  0.002  0.001  -22 -8 -35 
Uganda  3.00 0.044  0.065  0.118  0.186  9 5 13 
Ukraine  10.04  0.243  0.218  0.643  0.620  -15 8 -33 
United Arab Emirates  58.16  1.249  1.265  3.308  3.593  -10 22 -33 
Uruguay  3.43 0.078  0.075  0.206  0.212  -12 4 -25 
Vanuatu  0.14 0.003  0.003  0.007  0.009  -4 -8 1 
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic 
of 2.92 0.121  0.064  0.321  0.180  -35 -31 -39 
Viet Nam  16.91  0.313  0.368  0.829  1.045  -3 4 -9 
Yemen  0.75 0.024  0.016  0.063  0.047  -25 37 -59 
Zambia  1.15 0.028  0.025  0.075  0.071  -16 -9 -22 
Zimbabwe  0.47 0.017  0.010  0.045  0.029  -30 -28 -32 
Memorandum                  
Developed Economies  2883.92  59.908  62.743  - - -8 4 -19 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 54 - 
 
   Value  Share in World  Share in developing 
economies  Annual Percentage 
change  
 2020  2018  2020  2018  2020  2018 -
2020  2019  2020  
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS), 
including associate and former 
member States  93.77  2.348  2.040  - - -16 5 -33 
LDCs (46)  57.79  1.241  1.257  3.288  3.570  -10 -3 -15 
NICS(6)  441.92  9.913  9.614  26.264  27.301  -11 1 -22 
 
-  Not applicable.  
...  Not available.  
 
Note:  Recent figures for several  countries and territories have been estimated by the Secretariat.  
  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 55 - 
 
  APPENDIX TABLE 5: TOP 10 MERCHANDISE TRADE EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS  
BY PRODUCT GROUP, 20 20 
(Billion dollars and percentage)   
Agricultural products  
Rank  Exporters  Value  Share 
in 
worlda Share in 
developing 
economiesa 2018
-20b Rank  Importers  Value  Share 
in 
worlda Share in 
developing 
economiesa 2018-
20b 
1 Brazil  93 5.2 14.3 0 1 China  216 11.7 32.4 11 
2 China  78 4.3 11.9 -6 2 Korea, 
Republic of  37 2.0 5.5 -4 
3 Indonesia  47 2.6 7.2 -6 3 Mexico  28 1.5 4.1 -9 
4 Thailand  41 2.3 6.3 2 4 Viet Nam  27 1.5 4.0 3 
5 Mexico  41 2.3 6.3 15 5 India 26 1.4 3.9 -7 
6 India 39 2.2 5.9 5 6 Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of  21 1.2 3.2 4 
7 Argentina  36 2.0 5.5 0 7 Indonesia  21 1.2 3.2 -13 
8 Viet Nam  30 1.6 4.5 -2 8 Malaysia  21 1.1 3.1 3 
9 Malaysia  27 1.5 4.1 0 9 Turkey  20 1.1 3.0 8 
10 Chile 21 1.2 3.2 -14 10 Thailand  19 1.0 2.8 1 
Manufactures  
Rank  Exporters  Value  Share 
in 
worlda Share in 
developing 
economiesa 2018
-20b Rank  Importers  Value  Share 
in 
worlda Share in 
developing 
economiesa 2018-
20b 
1 China  2423 20.0 43.5 4 1 China  1289 9.9 26.2 -1 
2 Korea, 
Republic of  458 3.8 8.2 -13 2 Korea, 
Republic of  309 2.4 6.3 -1 
3 Mexico  325 2.7 5.8 -9 3 Mexico  296 2.3 6.0 -16 
4 Chinese 
Taipei  323 2.7 5.8 6 4 Singapore  241 1.9 4.9 -2 
5 Singapore  290 2.4 5.2 -3 5 Chinese 
Taipei  222 1.7 4.5 12 
6 Viet Nam  243 2.0 4.4 20 6 Viet Nam  209 1.6 4.2 15 
7 India 195 1.6 3.5 -12 7 India 194 1.5 3.9 -21 
8 Malaysia  171 1.4 3.1 1 8 Thailand  146 1.1 3.0 -12 
9 Thailand  164 1.4 3.0 -13 9 United Arab 
Emirates  140 1.1 2.8 -20 
10 Turkey  132 1.1 2.4 -1 10 Brazil  132 1.0 2.7 -4 
Fuels and mining products  
Rank  Exporters  Value  Share 
in 
worlda Share in 
developing 
economiesa 2018
-20b Rank  Importers  Value  Share 
in 
worlda Share in 
developing 
economiesa 2018-
20b 
1 United Arab 
Emirates  155 6.6 13.7 17 1 China  528 21.8 39.7 -6 
2 Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of  135 5.8 12.0 -43 2 India 124 5.1 9.3 -38 
3 China  61 2.6 5.4 -23 3 Korea, 
Republic of  120 5.0 9.0 -34 
4 Brazil  59 2.5 5.2 -1 4 Singapore  53 2.2 4.0 -42 
5 Iraq 50 2.1 4.4 -41 5 United Arab 
Emirates  45 1.9 3.4 94 
6 Qatar  43 1.8 3.8 -42 6 Chinese 
Taipei  45 1.9 3.4 -33 
7 India 41 1.7 3.6 -32 7 Turkey  45 1.8 3.4 -26 
8 Korea, 
Republic of  39 1.7 3.4 -36 8 Thailand  37 1.5 2.7 -30 
9 Chile 37 1.6 3.3 -9 9 Malaysia  35 1.4 2.6 -20 
10 Malaysia  35 1.5 3.1 -29 10 Mexico  34 1.4 2.5 -41 
a excluding re -exports of Hong Kong, China.  
b 2018-20: statistics on % change refer to the difference between 201 8 and 20 20 in % terms rather 
than the average annual % change.  
Note:  Recent figures for several  countries and territories have been estimated by the Secretariat.   WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 56 - 
 
  APPENDIX TABLE 6: TOP 10 COMMERCIAL SERVICES EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS  
BY SECTOR, 20 20 
(Billion dollars and percentage)  
Transport Services  
Rank  Exporters  Value  Share 
in 
world  Share in 
developing 
economies  2018 -
20 Rank  Importers  Value  Share 
in 
world  Share in 
developing 
economies  2018 -
20 
1 China  57.62  6.944  18.315  17 1 China  94.68  9.505  19.240  -7 
2 Singapore  53.12  6.401  16.884  -7 2 India 53.81  5.402  10.934  -10 
3 Korea, 
Republic of  24.90  3.001  7.914  -5 3 Singapore  52.61  5.282  10.691  -8 
4 Hong Kong, 
China  20.94  2.523  6.654  -20 4 Korea, 
Republic of  24.22  2.431  4.921  -13 
5 India 20.80  2.506  6.610  5 5 Thailand  18.39  1.846  3.737  -1 
6 United Arab 
Emirates  16.56  1.995  5.262  -24 6 Qatar  15.56  1.562  3.162  17 
7 Turkey  14.27  1.719  4.535  -23 7 Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of  14.87  1.493  3.023  -3 
8 Qatar  11.28  1.359  3.584  6 8 Hong Kong, 
China  14.21  1.427  2.888  -12 
9 Chinese 
Taipei  11.01  1.327  3.500  0 9 Mexico  10.72  1.077  2.179  -17 
10 Egypt  7.13 0.859  2.267  -10 10 Chinese 
Taipei  9.90 0.994  2.013  -11 
Travel  
Rank  Exporters  Value  Share 
in 
world  Share in 
developing 
economies  2018 -
20 Rank  Importers  Value  Share 
in 
world  Share in 
developing 
economies  2018 -
20 
1 United Arab 
Emirates  24.62  4.484  12.017  7 1 China  131.23  23.671  45.329  -31 
2 China  17.07  3.109  8.332  -34 2 United Arab 
Emirates  15.09  2.721  5.211  -8 
3 Thailand  14.20  2.586  6.931  -50 3 Korea, 
Republic of  14.70  2.652  5.079  -32 
4 India 13.04  2.375  6.364  -32 4 India 12.57  2.268  4.342  -23 
5 Mexico  11.02  2.008  5.382  -30 5 Saudi 
Arabia, 
Kingdom of  8.53 1.539  2.947  -28 
6 Turkey  10.22  1.862  4.989  -36 6 Kuwait, the 
State of  7.38 1.331  2.549  -28 
7 Macao, 
China  8.72 1.589  4.259  -54 7 Singapore  6.83 1.232  2.358  -49 
8 Korea, 
Republic of  8.69 1.582  4.241  -25 8 Qatar  6.74 1.216  2.329  -15 
9 Singapore  5.19 0.945  2.533  -50 9 Nigeria  5.55 1.001  1.917  -24 
10 Viet Nam*  4.43 0.808  2.165  -34 10 Brazil  5.39 0.973  1.863  -46 
Other Commercial Services  
Rank  Exporters  Value  Share 
in 
world  Share in 
developing 
economies  2018 -
20 Rank  Importers  Value  Share 
in 
world  Share in 
developing 
economies  2018 -
20 
1 China  178.31  5.351  20.773  6 1 China  147.76  5.089  18.450  6 
2 India 168.36  5.053  19.614  4 2 Singapore  107.45  3.701  13.416  1 
3 Singapore  123.40  3.703  14.376  3 3 India 85.52  2.945  10.678  0 
4 Korea, 
Republic of  50.27  1.509  5.856  -2 4 Korea, 
Republic of  54.09  1.863  6.753  1 
5 Israel  44.35  1.331  5.167  8 5 United Arab 
Emirates  34.77  1.198  4.342  -4 
6 Hong Kong, 
China  39.76  1.193  4.632  -4 6 Brazil  33.46  1.152  4.178  -7 
7 Philippines  23.59  0.708  2.748  1 7 Thailand  25.31  0.872  3.160  3 
8 Chinese 
Taipei  23.05  0.692  2.685  5 8 Hong Kong, 
China  22.70  0.782  2.835  -4 
9 United Arab 
Emirates  20.10  0.603  2.341  -3 9 Chinese 
Taipei  21.89  0.754  2.733  3 
10 Brazil  18.56  0.557  2.162  -7 10 Malaysia  17.90  0.617  2.235  -5 
*  WTO estimates . 
-  Not applicable.  
.  Not available . WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 57 - 
 
  APPENDIX TABLE 7: CHANGES IN EXPORT PRICES OF PRIMARY COMMODITIES, 201 8-2020 
(Annual percentage change, in terms of USD)  
 2018 -
20 2019  2020   2018 -
20 2019  2020  
Food and 
beverages  -1  -3  2  Agricultural raw 
materials  -4  -5  -3  
Food -1  -3  2  Timber  0  -2  1  
Cereals  2  -5  8  Cotton  -11  -15  -8  
Wheat  0  -12  14  Wool -24  -11  -35  
Maize  0  3  -3  Rubber  7  6  7  
Rice 9  -2  21  Hides and skins  -25  -33  -17  
Barley  0  6  -5      
Vegetable oils & 
protein meals  2  -5  10  Minerals and non -
ferrous metalsa 5  4  5  
Meat 0  6  -6  Copper  -3  -8  3  
Beef 5  14  -4  Aluminium  -10  -15  -5  
Lamb  0  0  0  Iron ore  24  33  15  
Swine meat  -3  4  -10  Tin -8  -7  -8  
Poultry  -13  -9  -17  Nickel  3  6  -1  
Seafood  -9  -8  -10  Zinc -12  -13  -11  
Fish -10  -8  -12  Lead -10  -11  -9  
Shrimp  -7  -8  -6  Uranium  9  6  14  
Sugar  3  1  4      
Bananas  3  0  6  Energy  -23  -15  -31  
Citrus fruit  -13  -29  8  Natural gas  -31  -37  -24  
Beverages  0  -4  3  Crude petroleum  -22  -8  -33  
Coffee  0  -5  6  Coal -22  -27  -17  
Cocoa beans  2  2  1      
Tea -8  -10  -5  All primary 
commodities  -12  -9  -15  
a Excluding crude petroleum.  WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 58 - 
 
  APPENDIX 8: COMPOSITION OF REPORTER AND PARTNER GROUPS  
DEVELOPING ECONOMIES include  
 
Latin America (including the Caribbean):  
 
• Mexico (classified within North America in the World Trade Statistical Review 
publication);  
• Central America : Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and 
Panama;  
• South America : Argentina; Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; 
Ecuador; Guyana; Paraguay; Peru; Suriname; Uruguay; Venezuela, 
Bolivarian  Republic of; 
• The Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba  (the Netherlands with respect to) , 
Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands; Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, 
Grenada, Haiti, Jamaic a, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint  Lucia, Saint Maarten, 
Saint Vincent  and the Grenadines; and Trinidad and Tobago.  
• Other countries and territories in Latin America n.e.s.  
 
Developing Europe:  
 
Albania;  Bosnia and Herzegovina;  Montenegro;  North Macedonia;  Serbia; Turkey; and 
Ukraine . 
 
Africa:  
 
• North Africa : Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.  
• Sub-Saharan Africa : Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; 
Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Congo;  Comoros; Côte d'Ivoire; 
Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Eswatini; 
Ethiopia; Gabon ; The Gambia ; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea -Bissau; Kenya; Lesotho;  Liberia; 
Madagascar; Mali; Malawi; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mozambique;  Namibia;  Niger; 
Nigeria; Rwan da; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Somalia; 
South Africa;  South  Sudan;  Sudan; Tanzania, United Republic of ; Togo; Uganda;  
Zambia;  and Zimbabwe.  
 
Middle East:  
 
Bahrain, Kingdom of; Iraq; Iran; Israel; Jordan; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; Kuwait, 
the State of ; Leban ese Republic ; Oman; Qatar; Syrian Arab Republic; 
United  Arab Emirates;  and Yemen.  
 
Developing Asia:  
 
Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei Darussal am; Cambodia; China; Fiji; 
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (Hong Kong, China); India; 
Indonesia; Kiribati; Korea, Republic of; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Maldives; 
Macau, China; Malaysia; Micronesia, Federated States of; Mon golia; Myanmar; Nepal; 
Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Samoa; Singapore; Solomon Islands; 
Sri Lanka; Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu  (Chinese  Taipei);  Thailand ; Tonga; Tuvalu; V anuatu; Viet Nam;  and other 
countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific n.e.s.  
 
DEVELOPED ECONOMIES include:  
 
North America (excluding Mexico for this report):  
 
Bermuda, Canada, United States of America, and territories in North America n.e.s.  
 WT/COMTD/W/262  
 
- 59 - 
 
  Developed Europe:  
 
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, 
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, 
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, 
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and territories in Europe n.e.s.  
 
Developed Asia:  
 
Australia, Japan and New Zealand.  
 
THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES including certain associate and former 
member  States (CIS) include:  
 
Armenia ; Azerbaijan ; Belarus ; Georgia ; Kazakhstan ; Kyrgyz Republic ; Moldova, 
Republic of; Russian  Federation ; Tajikistan ; Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  
 
THE NICs(6) or "Six East -Asian traders" include:  
 
Hong Kong, China; the Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Singapore; 
Separate  Customs  Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei); 
and Thailand.  
 
THE NICs(4) or "Four East -Asian traders" include:  
 
Hong Kong, China; the Republic of Korea; Singapore; Separate Customs 
Territory  of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) . 
 
 
__________