RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
5 October 2020  
(20-6743) Page: 1/11 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Forty -Ninth Session on Aid for Trade    
 
 
 
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 7 JULY  2020 
Chaired by H.E. Mohammad Qurban Haqjo  
 
Contents  
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  ................................ ................................ ....................  1 
B. AID-FOR-TRADE WORK PROGRAMME 2020 -2021 – STATEMENT BY THE 
CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  1 
C. IMPLEMENTATION OF AID -FOR-TRADE WORK ACTIVITIES  ................................ ..... 3 
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementatio n Activities  ................................ .....................  3 
II. Mainstreaming  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  9 
III. Regional Dimension  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 11 
IV. Privat e Sector  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  11 
V. Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  ..................  11 
D. OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 12 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
1. The Agenda, as circulated in WTO/AIR/COMTD/AFT/ 17 was adopted  witho ut amendment s.  
B. AID-FOR-TRADE WORK PROGRAMME  2020-21 – STATEMENT  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
2. The Chair began  the meeting  with an update on the consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic 
for the implementation of the Aid -for-Trade Work Programme  for 2020-21. He provided some 
thoughts on how to reflect the challenge of COVID -19 into t he Work Programme including by  
exten ding its implementation period and rescheduling  the Global Review  to 2022. Then,  he 
suggested a possible  addendum to the Work Programme and thematic review to reflect on the impact 
of the pandemic .  
3. The representative of Benin, on behalf of the African Group , welcomed the proposal to extend 
the implementation period of the Work Programme into 2022. As the African Group had highlighted 
at the 111th Session of the Committee on Trade and Development  (CTD)  on 26  May 2020, the 
COVID -19 pandemic had had a disproportionate impact on the African continent due to its structural 
vulnerabilities and over -dependence on imports of essential goods , including those necessary to 
respond to the international health crisis. As a re sult, COVID -19 threatened to reverse some of 
Africa's hard -won development gains.  
4. The African Group also welcomed the proposal for additional activities to assist developing 
countries to respond and adapt to COVID -19. The Group stood ready to make a subst antial 
contribution to the process; and similarly, to present its statement on COVID -19 as contained in 
documents WT/GC/219 and TN/C/20. The Aid-for-Trade Work Programme remained relevant to the WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  response to COVID -19, in particular through its focus on the digital economy. In this regard, there 
was an urgent need to address the digital divide in order to ensure a digital inclusion that would  
enable the equitable participation of Africa in the digital economy.  
5. In this regard, the African Group  welcome d the id ea of holding a thematic review related to 
COVID -19 in early 2021. The Group would  provide inputs based on experiences and challenges on 
the ground – including  the health, economic, development and social impacts of COVID -19 in Africa. 
The Group stress ed the importance of ensuring that the way forward was underpinned by a 
transparent, inclusive and participatory process .  
6. The African Group then reaffirm ed the importance of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative and its role 
in the development and diversification of African economies, particularly  for Least Developed 
Countries (L DCs). Aid for Trade could be harnessed for the benefit of women, youth and micro, small 
and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs) which were the  most affected by the economic and  social 
hardships compounded by the COVID -19 pandemic.  
7. The representative of the European Union  (EU) supported the Chair's suggestions , estimat ing 
that circumstances made it necessary to exten d implementation of  the Aid -for-Trade Work 
Programme to cover 2022, as well as moving the G lobal Review to that year . Further, t he EU would 
consult on the question of an addendum . 
8. The representative of the Russian Federation  expressed support for the suggestion s made by 
the Chair including rescheduling the next Global Review to 2020 , as well as the idea of a thematic 
review on COVID -19 and its impacts.  
9. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDCs , stressed the importance of the impact of 
the global health crisis on exports. I t had paralysed the running of MSMEs , in particular,  due to the 
movement restriction of populations and closing of borders.  The c onsequences were not only 
health -related , but also economic and social. They translated in j ob loss es and exposure to 
unsustain able debt s which harmed trade (including  productive capacity, product diversification, 
product v alue, exports and domestic markets ). In this context the Aid-for-Trade programme was an 
extremely useful collaborative tool . 
10. At WTO level , there were regulatory  means that could  be used to support LDCs . Also, a id for 
trade should continue to be strengthened in its capacity for action as the  health crisis had 
exacerbated  the constraints faced by  LDCs including in terms of food security.  This reality revealed  
the extent to which LDCs needed to strengthen their economic  resilience and ability to face crises 
and shocks. He said that the Group supported the Chair's suggestions made in relation to the Work 
Programme as they would undeniably enable  a better  implement ation of its  contents . In regards to 
the suggestion on an  addendum, it would allow the insertion of a  narrative o n the impact of 
COVID -19 on LDCs . 
11. The representative of El Salvador  said that his country ha d taken note of the Chair's 
suggestion s but raised concern that  postponing the Review to 202 2 and not engaging in monitoring 
could  prevent the efficient use of  the resources necessary to fight the pandemic.  
12. The representative of the United States  (US) said that it considered the Work Programme for 
2020 agreed and final. The US recognized the unexpected impacts that COVID -19 had on the timing 
of implementation of the Work Programme, including the scheduling of  the next Global Review. In 
this light, and provided that the Word Programme would not be reopened for substantive discussion, 
the US agreed to extending the Work Programme and holding the Global Review in 2022. While the 
US had no concerns with an addendu m per se , it was not prepared, at the time, to endorse a proposal 
to hold a thematic review on COVID -19 and called for  additional information  and details on what the 
Chair envisioned before proceeding . 
13. The representative of China  estimated  that the Chair's suggestion s made sense and should be 
supported, especially in relation to extend ing the Work Programme  until the end of 2022 and to 
postpon ing the Global Review to the same year . In addition, China considered relevant an addendum 
with new elements , including  a thematic review , so the most affected countries and regions could 
be assisted  through the Aid -for-Trade Initiative  to respon d to the pandemic and achieve economic WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  recover y. One suggestion  was that this could be done  by mobilizing and increas ing more effective 
trade finance.  
14. The Chair stated tha t he would ask the Secretariat to issue a revision to the current Work 
Program me found in document WT/COMTD/AFT/W/81. The revision would extend the current 
implementation period to 2020 -22 and would reschedule the Global Review to 2022. Second , he 
requested M embers to give  their though ts on the activities that they wish ed to see inclu ded in an 
addendum t o the Work Program me and to COVID -19-related work. This includ ed his suggestion of 
a thematic review to be held  the first half 2021.  He would  then organize a n informal Committee on 
Trade and Development Aid for Trade meeting to take the se ideas forward.  
C. IMPLEMENTATION  OF AID-FOR-TRADE WORK ACTIVITIES  
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  
15. The representative of the Asian Development Bank  (AsDB)  provided an update on its activities, 
in particular in relation to  the COVID -19 pandemic . On 13 April 2020, AsDB had launched a 
USD 20 billion comprehensive support package to assist its developing Member countries in their 
fight against COVID -19. He high lighted two major components of the support package . First, under 
the existing Countercyclical Support Facility in support of fiscal stimulus in case of severe 
macroeconomic crises, A sDB offer ed the so -called "COVID -19 Pandemic Response Option ". AsDB 
had made an additional USD 13 billion in resources available for the CPRO.  As part of this 
USD 20 billion package, A sDB ha d ramped up its trade finance program me from USD 1.35 billion to 
USD 2.15 billion.  
16. To assist the private sector and allow  companies to access more trade finance, A sDB ha d 
enhanced the trade finance program me. It could now better  support domestic and cross -border 
trade when an emergency was declared by a national government or an official ly recognized 
international body . AsDB ha d enabled the trade finance program me to support transactions involving 
a large variety of goods , as well as  use local currency for loans and guarantees issued under the 
program me.  
17. Up to early June 2020, A sDB had supported 1,700 transactions valued at USD 1.2 billion, 
addressing shortages and expanding the supply of essential goods, including COVID -19 test kits, 
medicines and personal protective equipment, through its trade and supply chain programs.  AsDB 
had worked  intensively with partners to bring together co -financing and additional funding for its 
pandemic response . The Bank expect ed co-financing to reach at least USD 5.8 billion. Its 
coordination with development partners ha d been extensive ranging from the Int ernational Monetary 
Fund (IMF)  to other multilateral development banks  (United Nations (UN) , World Health Organization  
(WHO) , the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), etc.).  
18. He recalled that, since the launch of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative, AsDB has been a close partner 
of the WTO by contributing to the Global Review through research collaboration and 
knowledge -sharing. A sDB's 2019 Aid -for-Trade report, launched at the 7th Global Review, 
demonstrate d that aid for trade to the services sectors of deve loping Asia present ed great 
opportunities to promote economic diversification and support vulnerable groups by expanding trade 
for small firms. Services generate d over half of the region 's output, comprise d a quarter of its trade, 
and employ ed more women t han men.  AsDB would  continue its support for Aid for Trade. A sDB was 
committed to stronger infrastructure investment, better trade facilitation reform, and faster, more 
effective trade finance in order to promote sustained, inclusive growth in Asia and the  Pacific.  
19. The representative of the Inter-American Development Bank  (IaDB)  share d with the 
Committee the recent actions it had  undertaken to address the health emergency and support 
economic recovery.  To address the health emergency, the I aDB was making support available to 
Latin American and Caribbean countries in four  areas:  (i) immediate public health response ; 
(ii) safety nets for vulnerable populations to protect incomes ; (iii) economic productivity and 
employment especially for MSMEs ; and (iv) fiscal policies to alleviate economic impacts, to finance 
the response to the crisis and to provide continuity in the implementation of public expenditure and 
procurement.  The I aDB had provided governments with the possibility of redirecting existing loans 
to mitigate the crisis.  The region had up to USD 12 billion available to address the current situation .  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  20. The IaDB  was innovat ing in  new cross -cutting approaches  such as: the digital transf ormation 
of procedures to make them simpler and safer ; the leveraging of new technologies and opportunities 
in the digital economy (which favour MSMEs , including women -led ones); the strengthen ing of 
coordination among government entities and the private s ector; as well as  the promot ion of regional 
integration and cooperation .  
21. In the area of trade facilitation , IaDB was support ed the countries of Central America and 
other sub -regions in automation and digitalization to reduce human intervention and use of paper 
through systems such as , the Single Windows for Foreign Trade or Port Community Systems  and 
the de velopment of contingency plans coordinated with the other border management entities, the 
private sector and the customs o f neighbouring countries . The Bank  also help ed with the 
development of infrastructure and technological  control  equipment at ports of entry  and the 
expansion of programmes with the private sector , such as the Authorized Economic Operators 
programme . IaDB c ontinued to promote regional dialogue and cooperation on customs matters , 
through  the Business Dialogue of the Americas, and the Regional Public Goods Initiative which, in 
2020, prioritized the COVID -19 theme.  
22. The representative of Chad, on behalf the LDC s, encouraged multilateral development banks 
to play a significant role in the economies  of LDCs  where  the informal sector has a very important 
role. Aid for Trade could be used to formalize the informal sector . He further noted that LDCs had 
limited  capac ity to react to shocks and enquired if the multilateral development banks were helping 
to reduc e debts levels in LDCs.  
23. The representative of the AsDB  responded that the rapid build -up of debt was a matter of 
concern and AsDB was looking at way s to address this. The representative of the IaDB responded  
that the informal sector had been affected by the pandemic , as many worke rs formally employed 
had now lost their job and  had to  resort to working informal ly.  
24. The representative of the International Trade Finance Corporation  (ITFC), part of the Islamic 
Development Bank Group  (IsDB)  said that t he Aid -for-Trade agenda was key among the global 
initiatives aiming at strengthening the capacity of developing countries  to participate in , and benefit 
from, international trade.  
25. Since 2012, ITFC ha d offered its full support to prepare and launch the Aid -for-Trade 
program me in the Arab Region  and Aid-for-Trade  Initiative  for the Arab States (AfTIAS) , as a 
response to a request received from the WTO Arab Group in Geneva. In this context, the 1st Phase 
of the AfTIAS program me was designed and implemented between 2014 and  2018, to address the 
spectrum of the intra -Arab trade, which remain ed the lowest among the regional gro upings in the 
world. T hrough this phase, AfTIAS had contributed to the implement ation of  28 projects in 19 Arab 
countries.  
26. In March 2020, the design for AfTIAS 2.0 program me was  updated to take into account the 
changed environment and the needs arising fro m the COVID -19 pandemic impact s on the economies 
of the  Arab region.  The development objective  of the five -year, USD 40 million programme is to 
enhance the environment for international trade in the Arab region by making it more efficient and 
inclusive, th ereby creating opportunities for employment and contributing to sustainable 
development. It  also aims to increase  intra-regional trade through the removal of market access 
barriers  and the role of Arab states in global value chains . It then seeks to ensure  that the benefits 
of trade are shared more inclusively across all population groups, including, in particular, vulnerable 
groups, such as women, youth, and others. He called for support for the second  Phase of the AfTIAS 
Program me.  
27. The representative of Saudi Arab ia confirmed their continuous support for A fTIAS and for least 
develop ed, and Arab countries, to allow them to integrate in the global economy and to promote 
regional cooperation and connectivity. The programme contributed to the Sustainable Deve lopment 
Goals  (SDGs)  and enhanc ed trade between Arab countries.  
28. A statement from the African Development Bank  (AfDB) w as delivered by the Secretariat . 
Africa was facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis  that could affect the region 's growth 
prospects in the years to come. The health crisis ha d precipitated an economic crisis in Africa 
reflecting three large shocks to economic activity . The first was the strong containment and WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  mitigation measures that countries have had to adopt to li mit the spread of the COVID -19 outbreak 
that had disrupted production and reduced demand sharply . The second  was plummeting global 
economic growth together with tighter global financial conditions that had large spill over s on the 
region; and the third was  the sharp decline in commodity prices, especially oil, that was set to 
compound these effects .  
29. In 2019, the AfDB had approved an institutional support grant of USD 4.8 million to the African 
Union to help accelerate the implementation of the Africa Conti nental Free Trade Agreement  
(AfCFTA) . AfDB had also invested over USD  1 billion to support the financing of African trade. Fast 
forward to 2020 and COVID -19 had changed the way AfDB worked. Since March  2020, the Bank had 
operated in a teleworking environme nt. The situation ha d resulted in acceleration in the digitization 
of internal processes , with  the bulk of approval mechanisms mov ing online. AfDB had launched a 
USD 10 billion COVID Response Facility  (CRF) . It capitaliz ed on experience built in recent years 
during the Ebola epidemic. Back in April 2014, AfDB was among the first development partners to 
approve an emergency operation worth USD  300 million to combat the epidemic. The CRF provide d 
flexible support for sovereig n and non -sovereign operations including: USD  5.5 billion for sovereign 
operations in A fDB countries ; USD 3.1 billion for sovereign and regional operations in A frican 
Development Fund (ADF)  countries; and USD 1.5 billion for non -sovereign operations (priva te 
sector) in all African countries . With respect to private sector clients, support was administered 
through:  deferral of Debt Service Payments ; Emergency Liquidity Facility ; and the Trade Finance 
and Guarantees Facility . 
30. In March 2019, the AfDB had a pproved a USD 5 million  Africa Continental Free Area 
Institutional Support Program. Considering  COVID -19, the program was currently being restructured 
to better  align to the pressing needs of the A frican Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat. 
The Bank was of the view that the crisis contain ed the seeds of a large -scale reimagini ng of Africa 's 
economic and trade structure, service -delivery systems  and social contract. Trends such as 
digitization, market consolidation, and regional cooperation were accelera ting and creating important 
new opportunities  — for example, to boost local manufacturing, formalize small businesses, and 
upgrade urban infrastructure. In conclusion, he reiterated the Bank 's commitment to work with 
development partners, governments, and the private sector to mobilize the resources needed to 
better connect Africa to regional and global markets. The Bank remained dedicated to scaling up Aid  
for Trade and to provide the financi ng necessary to improve Africa 's trade and production structure.  
31. A statement by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development  (EBRD)  was also 
given by the Secretariat . The EBRD promote d trade via its Trade Facilitation Programme launched 
in 1999. Un der the programme, the Bank ha d provided trade finance totalling EUR 15 billion, via 
more than 20,000 transactions across 26 economies . The programme aim ed to promote foreign 
trade to, from and within the EBRD regions.  It strengthen ed the ability of local banks to provide 
trade financing and , through these banks , gave entrepreneurs the support they need ed to increase 
their access to their import and export trade.  
32. The EBRD also provide d advisory services to MSMEs looking to start or expand their exports 
and imports. These programmes were now playing an even more crucial role as the EBRD hel ped its 
partners, clients and regions to respond to the economic challenges posed by the pandemic. As 
importers and exporters grappled  with the fallout from the virus, ther e has been a rapid rise in 
demand for trade finance. In the first five months of the year, EBRD 's Trade Facilitation Programme 
operations had exceeded EUR 1.5 billion, more than a two -fold increase relative to pre -crisis levels. 
Trade in medical products was also being supported by EBRD operations .  
33. In May 2020, the EBRD had launched a COVID -19-specific digital eLearning platform ( "the 
Know How Academy ") with a specific module on trade, targeting more than 10,000 MSMEs  over 
2020-21. A recent EBRD -Biklen  University  research paper,  using detailed data on exports from 
Turkey , reveal ed that exports supported by trade facilitation products such as letters of credit or 
documentary collection , had held up significantly better than other ex ports since March 2020 . This 
was a powerful evidence of the value of trade finance at times of profound crisis.  
34. A statement by the World Bank Group  (WBG)  was also delivered by the Secretariat . Aid for 
Trade remained a central pillar of the Bank's  trade sup port and pursue d four objectives:  (i) trade 
competitiveness and diversification;  (ii) trade facilitation, transport logistics, and trade finance; 
(iii) support for market access and international trade cooperation;  and (iv) managing shocks and 
promoting inclusion . The WBG 's trade strategy me t these objectives through focusing mainly on WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  development policy, competitiveness, investment climate reforms, trade facilitation and 
connectivity . The IFC's investment and advisory services focus ed on privat e sector development, 
trade finance, trade facilitation and logistics  were also noteworthy in this regard .  
35. As the largest multilateral provider of  Aid for Trade , the Bank worked closely with developing 
country governments and development partners to tackl e pressing trade -related challenges.  Current  
financing commitments total led close to USD  23 billion  according to latest figures (excluding 
COVID -19 emergency assistance), an increase  from USD  3.3 billion in 2004.  
36. The WBG 's response to the COVID -19 pandemi c, which had seen the fastest and largest 
disbursement of emergency funding support in the institution 's history, feature d important 
aid-for-trade  elements. For instance, the IFC 's Global Trade Finance Program was providing 
USD 2 billion to provide trade f inancing to companies that import and export goods and services. 
This support ed MSMEs involved in global supply chains, scaling up their resilience and speeding up 
the pace of recovery. Similarly, the IFC 's Real Sector Crisis Response Facility was injectin g 
USD 2 billion of support to infrastructure projects and to manufacturing, agriculture and services 
industries most vulnerable to the pandemic.  
37. While the bulk of the WBG 's response to COVID -19 ha d centred on emergency assistance to 
shore up health systems and protect the most vulnerable population segments, most of the 
COVID -19 support packages feature d trade -related components aimed at maintaining open borders, 
facilitating trade in essential medi cal equipment and foodstuff , as well as  policy advice aimed at 
short-term crisis mitigation and medium -term recovery .  
38. The representative of Chad, on behalf of LDCs, stressed the importance of the Bank 's 
interventions for developing countries , and in particular LDCs , be it in t he fight against the effects 
of the  COVID -19 pandemic or in terms of major infrastructure development . Work on MSMEs was 
also particularly  relevant to LDCs. Regional banks  therefore  had a role to play in providing  them with  
support to MSMEs hence contributing to  wealth  creation , jobs , slowing  the rural exodus and illicit 
migration .  
39. The representative of the European Unio n (EU) said that the global COVID -19 crisis had 
enormously negative effects on global trade. It  had impact ed developing economies through  a 
disruption of supply chains, halting altogether some sectors like tourism, and caused a drop in 
demand of products such as garments a nd raw materials. The latter co ntributed to slowing down 
the Gross Domestic Product  (GDP) growth of developing countries due to decreases in commodities 
prices.  
40. Amid the major impact s on global supply chains and the sharp economic downturn, progress 
on poverty reduction and shared prosp erity was in jeopardy.  The crisis demand ed action to protect 
jobs, health, and businesses in all partner countries, which often depend ed on textiles and garments 
value chains or exports of raw materials. As a key trade and development partner with some of the 
most affected countries, the EU was uniquely positioned to help to ensure business continuity by 
providing access to credit and finance, supporting worker incomes, preserving jobs and 
strengthening social protection. In response to the  COVID -19 pandemi c, the EU ha d carried out a 
significant reorientation of its cooperation programmes (including on Aid for Trade).  
41. The EU and its Member States, with the European Investment Bank (EI B) and the EBRD, 
acting as 'Team Europe ' had put together a EUR 36 billion response to the COVID crisis including 
humanitarian aid, support to health, water/sanitation, nutrition systems, socio -economic needs and 
recovery . This extraordinary C OVID -19 recovery response package would help preserve developing 
countries ' production and trading capacities , as well as support growth and employment.  
42. The EU was working with international organi zations, partner countries and the private sector 
to build strong and resilient value chains in s trategic sectors. In doing so, it strived to  ensure that 
sustainability, responsible business conduct and respect for labour, environmental and human rights 
was ensured  throughout value chains , both during the current crisis , as well as post-recover y. The 
EU was also enhancing partnership s for digital transformation as part of COVID -19 recovery which 
could speed -up the economic recovery of Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) countries, as 
well as mitigate the potential socio -economic effects of future c rises.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  43. The EU strongly believe d that the recovery from the COVID -19 crisis could  only be full and 
inclusive  ,if sustainable. In line with the new European Green Deal, the EU promote d measures that 
could  help economies recover in a green and inclusive way.  The EU would continue to play a leading 
role in supporting collective efforts on Aid for Trade.  
44. The representative of Chad, on behalf of LDCs , welcomed the commitment of the 
European  Union and other Mem bers in supporting LDCs through the Aid -for-Trade Initiative. 
Strengthening trade  and economic  development was relevant and important. He reiterated to all 
Members the importance of continue d support  so that L DCs can reach their objectives.  
45. The representat ive of China  said that trade should be one of the key instruments in Members'  
immediate response to the COVID  pandemic , as well as  a means  towards an early economic recovery 
from it . To that end, channelling  more resources of Aid for Trade to address the  specific needs of 
developing and least developed Members was more critical than never. China attache d high 
importance to the Aid-for-Trade Initiative and h ad been actively engaging in this regard. In 2019, 
China was the top export destination f or LDCs with 26.1% of LDC merchandise exports going there . 
For instance, China and Bangladesh ha d concluded a n exchange of letter s on 1 July 2019  to the 
effect  that 97% of tariff lines originating  from Bangladesh began would  enjoy 0% duty treatment 
under China's  duty-free, quota -free (DFQF) scheme for LDCs.  
46. China remained committed to keeping its market open to its global trading partners , and in 
particular , developing and least developed countries. The 127th Edition China Import and Export fair, 
the largest international trade fair event in China, took place in virtual format in late June  2020. It 
was the first time for China to host a virtual trade fair, providing around the clock services for product 
promotion and business matchmaking t o international participants. Foreign buyers coming from 
217 countries or regions participated in the fair, and about 26 ,000 enterprises had offered  their 
products online . The next China International Import and Export fair would  be held in November  in 
Shanghai.   
47. The representative of Bangladesh  expressed thanks to the Government of China for the recent 
development of the China -Bangladesh DFQF scheme and for including his country  in its beneficiary 
list. Further, he requested  China to set rules of origin cr iteria for the scheme in line with  Nairobi 
Ministerial Decision on Preferential Rules of Origin. 
48. The representative of the United States  said that  his country had been saddened by the loss 
of life suffered due to COVID -19. The United States was acting with urgency, on a large scale, and 
to national as well as global benefit.  The US Department of State and the US Agency for International 
Development h ad committed over USD 1 billion in assistance to fight the pandemic in the world's 
most at -risk countries. This emergency funding would  save lives by improving public health 
education, prot ecting healthcare workers, strengthening laboratory systems, increa sing 
disease -surveilla nce, and strengthening  rapid-response capacity in more than 120 countries.  
49. In addition to gove rnment aid, private American businesses, non -profit groups, charities and 
individuals ha d collectively provided nearly USD 4 billion in don ations and assistance. Together, 
Americans ha d provided some  USD 6.5 billion in gove rnment and non -government assistance and 
donations to the global COVID -19 response.  Months into fighting the pandemic at home and abroad, 
the United States remain ed the largest single country donor to the response efforts globally.  The 
United States was also providing critical support to international organizations fighting the pandemic . 
The United States welcom ed high quality, transparent, meaningful assistance from other donors to 
contribute to the  fight against  the dangerous pathogen.  
50. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDCs , thanked China for its market access and 
DFQF initiative for LDCs. He also th anked the US for the financing provided in the context of 
combatting COVID -19 in vulnerable and at risk countries.  
51. The representative of the  United Kingdom  (UK), said that his country  remained concerned 
about the impacts of the pandemic on low and middle -income countries. These countries had already 
experienced a significant set -back due to the decline in export and remittances,  supply chain 
disturbance and a decrease in tourism . Economic disruptions  had hit the world 's poor the hardest 
and could deepen the global recession making it harder for all countries to bo unce back. That was WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  why the UK was pivoting its Aid-for-Trade program mes to help developing country partners mitigate 
the effects of COVID -19. 
52. Through  support to the World Bank 's Trade Facilitation Support Programme, the UK had been 
able to deliver virtual  risk management capacity building training and guidance on managing risks 
and facilitating trade during the crisis to developing country partners. This helped  support partner 
countries in managing their borders and prioritizing critical shipments to most effectively respond to 
the pandemic.  
53. Through the Commonwealth Standards program me, the UK was also supporting the use of 
international standards which were critical to the COVID -19 response reconstruction and resilience. 
The programme was playing a pivotal  role in responding to COVID -19 by providing access to critical 
standard s for medical equipment , personal protective equipment  and ventilators in beneficiary 
countries , as well as virtual training on business continuity standards , supply chains information , 
and guidance on safe return  to work. The UK would  continue to engage with the CTD  on how to best 
support developing countr ies through this crisis. 
54. The representative of Norway  said that development cooperation represented 1% of national 
income and an adjustment and reallocation of that financing  was in  progress. Guidelines for this 
exercise included to  limit the loss of life as a result of the pandemic ; to reduce the amount of people 
ending up in extreme poverty ; to support the development of a vaccine ; and to promoted  security 
in a broad sense . The aid directed to global health would increase significantly to USD 480 million in 
2020. Norway would also continue its aid -for-trade support in  these challenging times.  
55. The representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization  (UNIDO)  said 
that the crisis had underscored the continued relevance of building supply -side capacit y. Building 
resilient economies and productive capacity was at the forefront of government s' agenda s. 
Furthermore, COVID -19 had accelerated a much -needed transition toward d igitalization, 
industry  4.0 and circular economy. He highlight ed progress in implementing UNIDO 's innovative 
model for accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States : the 
Programme for Country Partnership . These partnerships were multi-stakeholder partnership s led by 
the host government. They were explicitly based on engagement with differen t donors, development 
partners , international financial institutions  and the private sector, with the intent to achieve 
inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Evaluations had confirmed the model as an 
effective way to promote coherence and susta inable change at country level.  
56. So far, the UNIDO Country Programme Partnerships had been rolled out in Cambodia, 
Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Peru and Senegal. New PCPs were under development in 
Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Rwanda and Zambia. The PCP model had first been launched in Ethiopia, in 
2015. After the first phase of five years came to an end in December 2019, an independent 
evaluation was undertaken and finalized in March 2020. The programme had mobilized some  
USD 1.32 billion in funding . In Senega l, the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development 
Bank had confirmed, earlier in 2020  year, investments totalling  USD 70 million in PCP flagship 
projects – notably the establishment of integrated agro -poles. In parallel, the Government and the 
national private sector have each pledged around USD 25 million. In Peru, UNIDO's  PCP focus ed on 
supporting the transition to a circular economy and in early 2020 the Government approved the 
Road Map towards a circular economy in the industrial sector.  
57. Mean while, the PCPs in Morocco, Egypt and Cambodia were moving towards the 
implementation phase and the Governments of these countries and UNI DO were looking forward to 
collaborating with development partners. In Morocco, the PCP ha d a focus on e -commerce, 
Industry 4.0. and the circular economy . In Egypt the focus was also on green industry, on 
sustainable industrial parks and on mainstreaming Industry 4.0. In Cambodia the focus was on agro -
value chain development, including linkages with the tourism sector, an d on industrial diversification, 
innovation and Special Economic Zones development. The Green Climate Fund recently confirmed 
funding to support technology needs assessment for special economic zones ( SEZs).  
58. In response to the COVID19 pandemic, UNIDO was engaged in the UN's COVID -19 Response 
and Recovery Multi -Partner Trust Fund, and ha d submitted several proposals to the Joint Sustainable 
Development Goals Fund in efforts to help countries recover . WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  59. The representative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  (UNCTAD)  
gave a n overview of its recent publications on trade an d commodities . The first report was a 
preliminary assessment o n the impact of COVID -19 on commodity exports to China published in 
May. The report said that commodity exports to China had suffered an  estimated drop of 
USD 15.33 billion as compared to  a non COVID -19 scenario. Commodity depend ent exporting 
countries had seen  their export s decline between USD 3 and USD 8 billion.  
60. The second report was called "Commodity at a G lance Special I ssue on strategic Battery Raw 
Materials " published in June 2020. The report looked at  the materials used to manufacture electric 
car batter ies. The Democratic  Republic of the Congo  (DRC)  accounts for over two -thirds of global 
cobalt  production , but value added for the country was  limited and all  processing was done abroad. 
The A id for Trade community could help DRC and other material suppliers  move up the value chain 
by tackling their limited infras tructure , technology financing and logistical capacity challenges , so as 
to encourage va lue additio n. 
61. The third report examined  COVID -19 and tourism , and discussed how  many countries had 
seen their tourism income almost instantly evaporate. UNCTAD estimate d that the tourism industry 
could lose between USD 2.2 trillion  world -wide. The massive fall in tourism arrival also meant a rise 
in the un employment of unskilled workers – particularly negative for women who were more likely 
to be entrepreneurs in tourism and ma de up about 64% of workers in the accommodation and food 
services sectors.  Tourism depend ent develop ing countries require d support to strengthen their social  
protections to prevent  the worst economic hardship for people and communities that depend  on 
tourism.  
II. Mainstreamin g 
62. The representative of the European Union  underlined that, with its Memb er States , it remain ed 
the world 's largest donors of Aid for Trade. According to 2017 aid for trade figures, the EU  had 
provided EUR 14.5 billion, representing an increase of 7.5% over the previous year.  In 2017, the EU 
had published a new strategy, which was aimed at better aligning EU aid for trade  interventions with 
market -driven opportunities and constraints. This strategy aim ed to ensure a better quantitative 
focus on LDCs, all the while contributing to the implementati on of the UN 's Sustainable Development 
Goals and supporting a stronger participation of women in the economy and in global trade . Some 
of these objectives had already started to bear fruit. In 2017,  EUR 2.7 billion in aid-for-trade  
disbursements had gone t o LDCs, . 
63. The EU and its Member States remained the main supporters of trade-related technical 
assistance provided through the WTO , with a contribution of EUR 1 million to support the Global 
Trust Fund in 2020. The EU believed  that participation in trade ne gotiations and having effective 
capacity to fully implement WTO agreements and commitments , was essential for developing 
countries, especially LDCs . The representative of the EU reiterat ed the EU 's strong commitment to 
supporting an inclusive trading syste m and providing Aid for Trade.  
64. The representative of Australia  said that his country was a strong supporter of the 
Aid-for-Trade Initiative. In 2014 Australia had set a target to increase its aid for trade to 20% of its 
overall overseas development budget by 2020. Since  2014, the Aid -for-Trade spending ha d steadily 
increased and was  now 24% of total aid budget or approximately AUD  1 billion dollars a year. In 
May, Australia had introduced a new development policy partnerships for recovery  from COVID -19 
which substantially reshaped the aid program to address the pandemic , focusing on three  core 
areas : health security ; stability ; and economic recovery. Trade played a critical role in Australia's 
COIVD -19 development response. A t the policy level, it was critical for the development of all 
Members to avoid protectionism and keep global trade open. In this light , Australia would continue 
using Aid for Trade to address the impacts of COVID -19. 
65. Australia had agreed to provide AUD 4.5 million for the operation of the Pacific Island Forum 
Office in Geneva. Australia was also continuing its support for key WTO development partnerships, 
for example the E nhanced Integrated (EIF) Framework  and the Standards and Trade Development 
Facility (ST DF). Australia also continued its ai d-for-trade in support of key trade priorities including 
WTO negotiations and its AUD 4.5 million e-commerce Aid-for-Trade Fund which supported countries 
in Oceania to maximize the benefits of digital trade by increasing  their economist capabilities.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  66. Australia's  partnerships were pivoting to address the challenges of COVID -19. For example , 
Australia's  partnership with the World Bank's Trade Facilitation Support Program had shifted to help 
facilitate cross -border trade , including through handling of emergency confinement and protecting 
front line workers . Similarly , its partnership with the Asian Develo pment Bank to provide trade 
finance to MSMEs had ma pped the supply chain  for critical COIVD -19 medical products , such as 
respirators, mask and ventilators.  Within these new circumstances Aid -for-Trade would continue to 
be an important component of Australi a's aid programme.  
67. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDCs , thanked the donors that had spoken for 
the commitments made and for their constant support as part of the Aid -for-Trade programme. He 
judged that it  was time to provide a collective resp onse to the challenges brought about by 
COVID -19. He also welcomed the statement made by UNIDO indicating that Aid for Trade was a s 
relevant as ever. He called for investment in infrastructure,  and in particular telecommunication 
infrastructure, and techni cal assistance to build human resources capacity.  
68. The representative of the Enhanced Integrated Framework  (EIF) updated the Membership on 
its recent activities. Although the context had changed, the impact on programme and project 
delivery had been managed  well by the Executive Secretariat and its implementing partners at 
country level. Its response had been to continually assess and monitor the effects of the crisis on 
LDCs, continuously updating the entire EIF constituency as the situation evolved and off ering the 
required support based on individual LDC needs and in coordination with partners. Assessment and 
monitoring efforts ha d been guided by an EIF Business Continuity Plan, and by a dedicated COVID -19 
programme risk matrix.  EIF was also reporting on the trade impacts of COVID -19 in the LDCs 
through a dedicated section available on the EIF's Trade for Development News platform.  
69. In 2020, nine  projects worth over USD 7.8 million had so far been approved. These included 
trade productive capac ity-building projects in Cambodia, Mali and Tanzania; trade institutional 
capacity -building projects in Afghanistan and Haiti; and analytical studies in Angola and Uganda. 
The EIF's work on building women's capacity to trade in the LDCs had been strengthen ed with two 
new projects approved under the Empower Women, Power Trade initiative on improving digital skills 
for women and training on gender -responsive trade policies.   
70. At the Steering Committee meeting held on 2 July 2020, the 2019 Annual Report  had bee n 
launched . EIF projects have contributed to the creation of over 30,000 jobs  and USD 400 million of 
exports had been facilitated through direct EIF project contributions, and EIF support to specific 
sectors has contributed to over USD 1 billion of nationa l-level exports. Over 10,000 MSMEs ha d 
benefited from EIF interventions , with an estimated 2 ,200 women -owned or -led among this total . 
Development partners, governments and private sector actors had financed USD 1.9 billion worth 
of projects responding to priorities identified in analytical studies (Diagnostic Trade Integration 
Studies). Over 80,000 women overall had been direct beneficiaries of the EIF programme.  
71. EIF programmatic priorities included continued support to the LDCs in the COVID -19 pandemic 
through the EIF Business Continuity Plan. This would include dedicated support streams  on analytical 
work, support to MSMEs, women and youth reintegration, promotion of F oreign Direct Investment 
in LDCs and adapting graduation strategies . The representative of the EIF  thanked th e partnership, 
and especially the EIF Donors, for their valuable support in enabl ing LDCs to continue to benefit 
from trade opportunities, especially within the challenging  operational context. The EIF remain ed 
committed to assisting the LDCs on the path to effective trade mainstreaming and to sharing and 
promoting best practices.  
72. The representative of the Standards and Trade Development Facility  (STDF)  explained that it 
had put in place a range of actions in cooperation with its partners and other Members to mitigate 
and manage the risk  of COVID -19. The STDF had issued a report , available on its website , explaining 
how the global partnership was managing the risk faced. This  categori zed the risk posed and the 
mitigation measures taken across the globe in partnership and knowledge work on the project 
portfolio.  
73. A virtual STDF Working Group meeting had taken place on 7 April  2020,  and Members had 
approved three new project pre paration grants and three new projects for West Africa , Central 
America and Mali. There had also been a webinar on 26  May 2020, as STDF partners outlined their 
COVID -19 response and resources available for developing countries . Work was advancing in a rang e WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  of forms from contingency planning, in review of preparedness, more use of electronic meetings, 
electronic venues for training, social distancing , and trainings and the greater use of national 
consultants reviewing work plans and the like.  
74. The STDF had a lso launched its 2019 annual report "Facing the Future, Shaping Safe Trade 
Outcomes". The report highlighted examples of country progress and results across the STDF's work 
from tools transforming agriculture , to technologies facilitating trade of borders , as well as the 
award -winning E-phyto Project. The annual report also identified a number of lessons and 
opportunities that were key for the future: moving forward in partnership through the SDGs  global 
platform,  making sure that safe trade was also inclu sive and sustainable trade, increasing access 
to knowledge to influence change and focusing on learning as well as monitoring and evaluation and 
the importance of innovation . The Annual report drew on the STDF's new strategy for 2020  "Safe 
and Inclusive Tr ade Horizons for Developing Countries ". The strategy also provided a clear reminder 
of the ease and the speed at which disease s can spread worldwide and the interconnectedness of 
global supply chains , underscoring the importance of building food safety , plants and animal health 
capacity as a global public good.  
III. Regional Dimension  
75. No item was raised under "Regional Dimension".  
IV. Private Sector  
76. The representative of the International Trade Centre  (ITC)  said that d uring this period of 
uncertainty , demand for assistance had increase d as developing countries and their MSMEs sought  
help in coping with the pandemic. Trade was an important part of recovery and resilience . ITC's first 
reaction was to understand the pandemic's impact and the consequences o f subsequent lockdown 
measures on MSMEs. It had  conducted a global survey across 110 countries throughout its networks, 
including its youth empowerment network and SheTrades outreach, which had provided  data to 
guide its project interventions. The vast maj ority (60%) of business respondents communicated they 
had been strongly affected by the pandemic  (75% for countries in Africa ). The survey confirm ed that 
the major impact of COVID19 was on supply chain and demand side shocks, triggering a cash crisis 
for MSMEs and exacerbating existing issues in access to finance.  
77. The lockdown restrictions had led to a rapid global shift onto digital platforms. For example, 
e-commerce ha d shown its value to small firms as many ha d been forced to integrate digital solutions  
in order to keep on serving customers or search new sources of demand.  Another  example, the e -
commerce eComConnect programme in central America linking women -owned business es to global 
markets in traditional clothes and home decoration ha d yielded good business turnover results , and 
diversified production into mask exports within the region. Similar situations had been observed in 
ITC's project in Asia-Pacific or in Africa.  In the case of FastTrackTech, the Netherlands Trust Fund  IV 
initiative to support digital entrepreneurs in Africa, ITC had  migrated all of its training and 
consultancy activities  online . ITC had  also strengthened partnerships around the AfCFTA  by signing  
a strategic agreement with the African Import -Export Bank (Afreximbank) which aim ed to train small 
business owners and young entrepreneurs to trade within Africa . 
78. To mark the UN MSME da y, ITC had released the "SME Competitiveness Outlook 2020 " with 
its focus on COVID -19 and the impact on MSMEs. One of its finding was that , in Africa , exporters of 
industrial goods expected to lose more over USD 2.4 billion in 2020 due to COVID -19. In early 
October  2020  ITC would be hosting its annual Joint Advisory Group , as well as a special virtual 
event  "Emerging Stronger: Good Trade in a Post -COVID -19 World ".  
79. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDCs , thanked the STDF, ITC and EIF for the 
work and support u ndertaken for LDCs. In terms of the COVID -19, he recalled that the unknow n in 
terms of the spread of the pandemic remained  pervasive and called for adapt ing to an eve r-changing 
situation. He asked for Members ' flexibility when  addressing  the concerns expre ssed by LDCs.  
V. Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  
80. No point was raised under this agenda item . WT/COMTD/AFT/M/49  
 
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  D. OTHER BUSINESS  
 
81. No item was raised under "Other Business".  The meeting was adjourned . 
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