RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
20 May 2019 
(19-3476) Page: 1/13 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Forty -Fifth Session on Aid for Trade    
 
 
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 6 FEBRUARY 2019  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Diego Aulestia (Ecuador ) 
 
Contents  
A. ADOPTION OF THE A GENDA  ................................ ................................ .........................  1 
B. IMPLEMENTATION OF  THE 2018 -2019 AID -FOR-TRADE WORK PROGRA MME  ...............  1 
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  ................................ ......................  1 
II. Mainstreaming  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  3 
III. Regional Dimension  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5 
IV. Private Sector  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  6 
V.  Monitoring and E valuation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  ...................  8 
C. OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 13 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGEN DA 
1. The Agenda, as circulated in WTO/AIR/ COMTD/AFT/ 13, was adopted  witho ut amendment s.  
B. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE  2018 -2019 AID -FOR-TRADE WORK PROGRAMME  
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  
2. The representative of the European Union  provided  detail s on the E uropean Union 2017 
Aid-for-Trade  Strategy1 and 2018 Progress Report .2 The European Union's updated strategy, the 
second since inception  of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative, defined the priorities and mechanisms  of 
Aid-for-Trade (AfT) assistance  provided by the E uropean Union. Its objectives included : to align EU 
AfT with market -driven opportunities ; to focus increasingly and specifically on least developed 
countries ( LDCs); to help implement the Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs), including as a 
horizontal  theme the economic empowerment of women ; and to operationalize the priorities of the 
EU-Africa Allianc e. The EU -Africa  Alliance aimed : to boost strategic investment and strengthe n the 
role of the private sector to create jobs ; to invest in education and skills ; to strengthen  the business 
environment and investment climate ; and to tap the full potential of economic integration and trade.  
3. The Progress Report  used a qualitative, resu lts-based  and impact -oriented type of reporting. 
It illustrated how A id for Trade helped partner countries benefit from E uropean Union trade 
agreements and schemes across thematic perspectives , and steer towards  sustainability and 
inclusiveness objectives. It also showed  how A id for Trade was contributing to broader political 
                                                
1 Achieving Prosperity through Trade and Investment, Updating the 2007 Joint EU Strategy on Aid for 
Trade, retrieved on 3 April at: https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/aid -trade -communication -achieving -prosperity -
through -trade -and-investment_en  
2 EU Aid for Trade Progress Report 2018, retrieved on 3 April 2019 at: 
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/eu -aftreport -2018-final.pdf  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  priorities such as the EU -Africa Alliance .3 The Progress Report note d an increased prominence of A id 
for Trade in the development policies of the E uropean Union and most  of its  member States . In 
2016, the European Union and its member States  had committed EUR 13.5 billion in  Aid for Trade 
with 42% of the amount going to Africa, 22% to Asia, 12% to the Americas, 11% to Europe and 
22% to LDCs. T he overall amount accounted for 32% of funds globally disbursed .  
4. The representative of the United States  updated  the Committee on the Co mmercial Law 
Programme .4 The programme had recently offered  training in the Kyrgyz Republic to support  ongoing 
efforts by the Kyrgyz  Republic to accede to the WTO Agreement on Government Procuremen t (GPA).5  
5. The representative of the World Bank Group  (WBG)  discussed  the WBG’s trade strategy  which 
focused on: trade facilitation, transport logistics, and trade finance;  support for market access and 
international trade cooperation; and  managing shocks and promoting greater inclusion . Amidst a 
rapidly shifting global trade landscape, the Bank’s work on trade would : shift focus from the 
aggregate gains from trade to the distribu tional effects of market opening by acknowledging the 
downside risks arising from the interplay of cross -border trade, investment and technological 
change . It would also  better measure the impact of trade barriers beyond tariffs  and continue to 
improve und erstanding international production networks  or global value chains (GVCs) . 
6. The 2020 World Development Report  to be issued in Autumn 2019  would be on  GVC and 
Development  and would take stock of GVCs and their development impacts, the factors that drove 
them, those that impede d greater developing country participation  in them, as well as the policies 
needed to maximize the benefits of , and mitigate the risks of GVC insertion . He added  that a 
supporting environment that allow ed low- and middle -income  countries to trade with one another , 
but as importantly with high -income countries, was essential to  deliver ing the 2030  Sustainable 
Development  Agenda , including the WBG goals of ending extreme poverty (SDG 1 ) and boosting 
shared prosperity  (SDG 10 ).  
7. The rep resentative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization  (UNIDO)  
update d the Committee on its Programme for Country Partnership (PCP)6 and work on quality 
infrastructure to facilitate access to market and support regional and global trade integration. 
UNIDO's PCP continue d to serve as a high impact solution towards inclusive and sustainable 
industrial development in Africa and other part s of the world through technical assistance , public 
finance and private investment in key areas that generate d jobs and led to poverty reduction.  
8. In 2019, t he pilot phase of the PCP model was extended to Cambodia, Turk menistan and 
Morocco . The PCP in Camb odia focuse d on sustainable tourism, agro - and creative industry value 
chains and industrial diversification focusing on special economic zones. The PCP in Turkmenistan 
would  contribute to agro -progressing value chains, textiles, renewable energy , strength ening 
relationships between tourism and productive industries, construction materials and sustainable 
development of the mining sector. The PCP in Morocco would  contribute to development of industrial 
zones, agro -industry, energy, circular economy, e -comme rce and Industry 4.0. There was also an 
agreement to initiate p rocesses for four new PCPs for Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Rwanda and Zambia .  
9. Building quality infrastructure  was another pillar of UNIDOs mandate to develop and enhance 
producers and manufacturers,  commercial opportunities to compete in global markets and to 
participate in international value chains. In cooperation with the International Network of Quality 
Infrastructure and founded by the Government of Finland, UNIDO produced a set of guidelines on 
quality infrastructure  launched with support from the Swiss State  Secretariat for Economic Affairs 
during the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee Meeting held in Geneva in June 2018.  
10. The representative of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development  (EBRD)  
highlight ed its AfT activities. The EBRD provide d AfT financing mostly through its gen eral investment 
operations aimed at creating better financing opportunities. It provide d financial support to private 
                                                
3 The EU -Africa Alliance, viewed at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/africaeuropealliance_en  on 
10 April 2019.  
4 Commercial Law Development Programme, viewed at http://www.cldp.doc.gov  on 10 April 2019.  
5 Agreement on Government Procurement, viewed at 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/gproc_e/gp_gpa_e.htm , on 10 April 2019.  
6 The Programme for Country Partnership, viewed at https://www.unido.org/programme -country -
partnership  on 10 April 2019.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  and public entities and was involved in policy dialogue. The goals were to incentivise exports, 
improve trade -related infrastructure and e fficient use of resources, support  higher  value -added 
production , and promote  economic growth and diversification. EBRD had stepped up its support for 
value chain integration, notably through the "Value Chain Competitiveness Programme"7, under the 
EBRD -EU Trade and Competitiveness Program me, that aim ed to support local value chain 
development and promote exports to the E uropean Union and other markets.  EBRD financing also 
include d investments in : cross-border transport and storage infrastructure; communication 
infrastructure; building productive capacity in agriculture, industry, mineral resources and travel and 
tourism; regional power pools ; and projects to promote regional energy markets.  
11. The EBRD 's Trade Facilitation Programme  promote d trade by mitigating counter -party risks, 
through  guarantees and other risk -sharing instruments.8 "Trade Ready", EBRD's  new trade support 
initiative for micro, small, and medium enterprises ( MSMEs ), enable d it to access trade finance and 
business advice to unleash its international trade potential.9 Economic ally empower ing women, 
young people, people living in remote or rural areas and MSMEs was a core component of the EBRD 's 
Economic Inclusion Strategy.10 The EBRD also promote d a vision for equality of opportunity , 
regardless of gender, age and socio -economic status  as reflected in its Strategy for the Promotion 
of Gender Equality 2016 -2020.11  
II. Mainstreaming  
12. The representative of the United  States  provided an overview of its recently  completed 
14th Trade Policy Review (TPR) in December 2018.12 The United States provided t raining and 
technical assistance that helped countries make decisions about the benefits of trade arrangements 
and reforms, implement their international and regional obligations and enhance their abilit y to take 
advantage of the opportunities of the multilateral trading system. Accordingly, U nited States 
assistance address ed a broad range of issues so that communities, rural areas and small business es, 
including female entrepreneurs, benefit ed from trade  rules negotiated in the WTO and other fora.  
13. The representative of Nepal  provided an overview of the country's s econd TPR held on 3 and 
5 December 2018.13 During the period  under review , Nepal had undergone  a transformation in its 
political landscape which established it as a federal democratic republic. In 2015, t he promulgation 
of the new constitution laid down a solid foundation for Nepal’s socio -economic transformation by 
ensuring  democracy, federalism, secularism, and the inclusive participation o f all in State affairs.  
14. With the "Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali vision", t he current Government aimed to achieve 
socio-economic transformation, faster poverty alleviation, high economic growth and productive 
employment. Untapped potential in hydropower, tourism, infrastructure and agriculture followed by 
demographic dividend s were  unique opportunities to devise Nepal’s trajectory to socio -economic 
transformation. The Investment Summit of Nepal14, which was scheduled to take place from 29 to 
30 March 2019 , and Visit Nepal 2020 would support  the achievement of its socio-economic goals.15 
15. During the Nepal TPR, participants had provided constructive criticism  and appreciated  Nepal' s 
robust economic growth and its reform initiatives despite the devastating earthq uakes of 2015 which 
had hurt the country's industry, trade, infrastructure and economy . The focus was to update 
compliance  with WTO rules and commitments, face its trade and development challenges and 
explore untapped  opportuniti es.  
                                                
7 Value Chain Competitiveness Programme (VCCP ) viewed at www.ebrd.com  on 10 April 2019.  
8 The EBRD Trade Facilitation Program me, viewed at https://www.ebrd.com/work -with-us/trade -
facilitation -programme.html  on 10 April 2019.  
9 The EBRD Trade Ready, viewed at https: //www.ebrd.com/tradeready  on 10 April 2019.  
10 The Economic Inclusion Strategy (EIS) , viewed at https://www.ebrd.com/ebrd -economic -inclusion -
strategy.pdf  on 10 April 2019.  
11 The EBRD' s Strategy for the Promotion of Gender Equality 2016 -2020, on 3 April 2019 at 
https://www.ebrd.com/gender -strategy.html  
12 The Trade Policy Review , United States, on 3 April 2019 at 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp482_e.htm  
13 Trade Policy Review, Nepal, viewed at https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e /tpr_e/tp481_e.htm  on 
10 April 2019.  
14 Nepal Investment Summit 2019, viewed at https://investmentsummitnepal.com/  on 10 April 2019.  
15 Visit Nepal 2010, retrieved on 3 April 2019 at https://www.nepalvisit2020.com/  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  16. The constitution of Nepal encourage d foreign capital, technological investment, technology 
transfer as well as development of industries and products in areas of comparative and competitive 
advantage . In Nepal, the A id for Trade received had contributed in advancing socio -economic 
development in general and trade capacity building specific ally. The E nhanced Integrated Framework 
(EIF) mechanism ha d also supported trade mainstreaming into national and sectoral development 
plans, building institutional, human and productive capac ity and, inter alia , product development. 
The representative  emphasised the need to enhance the flow of Aid for Trade towards  least 
developed  and landlocked developing countries . Aid for Trade  should be demand -driven and result -
oriented and focus on its fundamental objectives : building  trade -related infrastructure ; 
strengthening supply -side capacity ; and transferring technology .  
17. The representative of Benin  thank ed the regional and multilateral partners  for their support 
towards  developing countries and LDCs.  Benin was pleased  to continue cooperat ing with the 
European Union through Aid for Trade and through the Africa -EU Allianc e.16 He emphasised the role 
of Aid for Trade, particularly in LDCs, in removing limitations, improving capacity , eliminating 
poverty  and advancing towards achieving the 2030 SDGs.  
18. The Chair announced that , at the next Committee on Trade and Development (CTD)  meeting , 
an opportunity would be provided to  those  Members that w ould have completed their TPR s (Ecuador, 
East African Co mmunity, Bangladesh and Samoa)  to provide an update.  
19. The representative of the Enhanced Integrated Framework  update d the Membership on 
progress. Since the last update on 6 November 2018, the EIF ha d committed US$7.5 million with 
ten new investments made in LDCs.  On the institutional side , she said that the EIF had started 
working with Liberia and Benin to deepen trade mainstreaming and institutional capacity, ensuring 
that the results achieved so far were truly sustainable. The EIF had also renewed its commitments 
in Mozambique to support national capacity to formulate and implement the updated trade strategy 
to enable the country to reap the gains of the international trading system . In Lao PDR,  the EIF was 
targeting increased investments in, and exp orts of, competitive sectors  including rice, maize and 
tea, thereby  leading to sustainable and improved incomes for poor households  and particularly  for 
women.  
20. On productive capacity , strengthening strategic value chain development in agriculture 
remain ed at the centre of the EIF's  productive capacity work  with investments in Burkina Faso in 
shea butter , and agriculture technology analytical work in East Africa. Additionally, the tourism 
sector was gaining momentum, with recent investments  made  in Liberia and Uganda. Further, 
Rwanda was then working on improving e -payment solutions, strengthening the regulatory 
framework for consumer protection and boosting the capacity of its MSMEs.  
21. The EIF had noted positive results from productive capacity initiatives t hat had led to LDC 
products reaching 20 regional and international markets. Some of the export examples include d 
soybeans from Togo to the Netherlands and Viet  Nam; mangoes from Guinea to Belgium and France; 
and hides and skins from Niger to France and Italy.  
22. With particular reference to MSMEs, the EIF ha d proven to be key in empowering small 
entrepreneurs and farmers in LDCs. Over the past six months, nearly 400 people and 
125 associations  had increased their understanding of trade -related issues, rangi ng from value -chain 
development to trade facilitation to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures ( SPS) measures, while 
nearly 300 MSMEs had brought  their activities in the productive sector to the next level.  A WTO-led 
analysis on trade -related implications of  LDCs' graduation  had been approved that would  serve as a 
tangible contribution towards  the greater integration of graduating countries into the multilateral 
trading system.  
23. She also highlighted other key developments . Towards the end of 2018, the EIF had  finalized 
the 2019 -2022 Strategic Plan "Inclusive Trade for Better Lives"  which contributed to empowering 
LDCs to use trade and investment to integrate into global trade for sustainable development and 
poverty reduction.17 The EIF would also continue to im prove the monitoring and evaluation of results. 
                                                
16 Africa -Europe Alliance, viewed at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/africaeuropealliance_en  on 
10 April 2019.  
17 Inclusive Trade for Better Lives ttps://www.enhancedif.org/sites/default/files/eif -strategicplan -2019-
2022.pdf  on 10 April 2019  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  The launch of the new Strategy would  be preceded by three capacity development workshops for 
Francophone and Anglophone Africa , and for Asia and the Pacific.  
24. The representative of Guinea  expressed the countr y's deep  commit ment to implement ing its 
full range of WTO obligations, particularly through involvement with programmes targeted at  LDCs. 
With support from the EIF, t he country 's aim was to mainstream trade into its national poverty 
reduction programme. With participation by the highest level of domestic policy makers as well as 
development partners to ensure the necessary mobilization of resources for socio -economic 
development , trade was accorded a strategic role i n this programme  in which EIF has a role to play.  
She then  mentioned  PRODEFIMA , a capacity -building project  which benefitted from a  US$3 million 
envelope  and which came to completion  in April 2018. It had generated increased exports of the 
Guinean pineappl e and mango to France and beneficiaries included young and female participants . 
25. She then emphasised the commitment of the G uinean Government  to work on its WTO 
commitments . On 20-27 January 2018 , Guinea had presented  a capacity -building document for 
2018-2020. Th e strategy involve d human resources  capacity building, inter alia , as well as an 
integrated technical -assistance programme covering a number of sectors including women's and 
young people's groups as well as other Ministries responsible for quality assurance and export 
promotion. During the visit to Geneva, the Guinea n delegation had met with donor partners .  
26. The representative of Benin  underscored the importance of the EIF programme , a strategic 
tool in promoting and strengthening productive export capacity for the LDCs. She said that t o date , 
this tool ha d demonstrated excellent results, and was an example  of success . He congratulate d all 
the actors involved in this activity and especially the donors  for their expertise and support as they  
helped countries  achiev e progress . He also emphasised the need to continue to work with donors 
and agencies to optimize  resource management. He also c alled for continued work and experience 
sharing in the area on youth and women's employment. In closing, h e emphasi zed the importance 
of the  regional dimension referred to trade facilitation work which the EIF was about to un dertake .  
III. Regional Dimension  
 
27. The representative of the  United States  spoke about the Standards Alliance , a US programme 
which  provide d capacity -building assistance. The Alliance  was a public -private partnership led by the 
American National Standards Institute and the U nited States Agency for International Development  
that supported implementation of the TBT Agreement.18 Recent activities undertaken by the 
Standards Alliance, included  a workshop in Mozambique in December 2018 to promote best practices 
and the development of standards and conformity assessment procedures. The event had provided 
experts with the opportunity to exchange information and increase the understanding of various  
aspects of standards, metrology, conformity assessment as well as good regulatory practices . A 
second workshop had been  conducted in November  2018 in Zambia  on liquid cooking fuels 
standards. The workshop had enabled a technical exchange on a variety of i nternational standards 
including the international standard for ethanol as a home cooking and appliance fuel. A third 
programme had been  held in West Africa in October 2018. The programme was entitled "Improving 
the WTO SPS and TBT Trade Enquiry Points and  Notification Authority ". The trainings were carried 
out in Côte  d'Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal in coordination with CODINORM, the Ghana Standards 
Authority and the Senegalese Standards Association. The training focused on providing practical 
training for nat ional inquiry point s and national notification authority staff . 
28. The representative of Australia  recalled that  Aid for Trade remain ed a key focus of Australia's 
overall aid policy and budget with the bulk of its assistance being directed towards the neighbouring  
Indo-Pacific region. In 2015, Australia ha d set a target for A id for Trade to reach 20% of its overall 
foreign aid budget . In 2018 , it had exceeded that target with AfT assistance representing 23% of 
the country's  aid budget  (or approximately $A1 billion ). In 2020, Australia was set for that proportion 
to increase to 25% of total aid budget. Other areas of focus include d supporting developing country 
participation in the multilateral trading system and WTO processes, trade -related infrastructur e, 
trade facilitation including implementation of the trade facilitation agreement, regulatory and policy 
reform, e -commerce and digital trade, women's economic empowerment, private sector capability 
and working with MSMEs . 
                                                
18 The Standards Alliance, viewed at https://standardsalliance.ansi.org/  on 10 April 2019.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  29. On digital trade , Australia was  working with countries to develop international digital 
standards . Standards Australia was targe ting digital standard gaps which impede d countries ' ability 
to engage in digital trade. In addition , Australia was  working with the World Economic Forum in 
Papua New Guinea on a new e -commerce and investment pilot  project  to build on the Australia -
funded coral sea cable system . This project would bring together public and private sectors in 
Papua  New Guinea to identify and implement reforms for e -commerce and investment . Australia was  
contributing to the I nternational Labour Organization's  Better Work programme  which improve d 
workplace standards in garment and footwear factories.19  This programme was improving wages, 
working hours, maternity leave and labour co nditions for over 2 million workers in factories where 
more than 75% of the workers were women . Australia  was a donor to the EIF . 
30. The representative of Japan  said that its country attached  importance to providing high -quality 
AfT assistance.  With regard to  cooperation with African countries, Japan ha d led the process of the 
Tokyo International  Conference on African Development (TICAD), launched in 1993, under the basic 
philosophy of ownership and partnership with the international community.20 In August 2019, Japan 
would convene the TICAD7 meeting in Yokohama, inviting high -level representatives from African 
countries to discuss Africa's economic transformation . 
IV. Private Sector  
 
31. The representative of the International Trade Centre  (ITC) provided examples  of new 
initiatives. In November  2018, the ITC ha d launched the INTEGRA Programme supporting youth 
economic integration in society in Guinea.21 The programme  focused on building entrepreneurship 
skills, better employment opportunities, trade and investment in stitutional strengthening, and 
connection to markets. ITC would  replicate some of its methodologies developed in the Youth 
Empowerment Programme in The Gambia,  which continue d to showcase innovative interventions 
such as the mini -grants and mini -loans sche mes to support small businesses. Both programmes 
were funded through the EU  Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.22 
32. ITC was fully committed to support ing regional integration in Africa and in December 2018 
launched the EU -ITC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP)23 in Arusha, Tanzania. 
The EUR 18 million programme aim ed to support increased exports of agribusiness and horticultural 
products, promote regional integration and access to European markets. MAR KUP assists small and 
medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.  
33. In spring 2019, the Cotton and Textile Design Center for West Africa established in the city of 
Segou  (Mali) would be launched to  enable new lines of production of African outlets using garments 
and cotton from the C4+1 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Togo ). This aimed to 
supply African fashion designers with high quality textiles as well as generating thousands of j obs. 
This was being developed through ITC 's Ethical Fashion Initiative.24 
34. Africa would  also be one of the main beneficiaries of the new SheTrades Invest initiative25 
launched in December 2018 .26 ITC and GroFin, a development finance company operating across 
Africa and the Middle East, ha d partnered to increase investment in women -owned businesses in 
14 countries across these regions. SheTrades Invest would  help strengthen the financial and 
managerial capacity of women entrepreneurs, improve their investment re adiness, and connect 
them to impact investors and financiers. As part of this strategic alliance with the ITC, GroFin would  
deploy risk -impact capital into eligible small and growing businesses to create economic growth and 
                                                
19 Decent Work, viewed at https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/decent -work/lang --en/index.htm  on 
10 April 2019.  
20 Tokyo International Conference of Africa's Development, viewed at https://ticad6.net/  on 
10 April 2019.  
21 INTEGRA Guinée, viewed at http://www.intracen.org/projets/integra/  on 10 April 2019.  
22 Youth Empowerment Project, viewed at https://youthempowermentproject.org/  on 10 April 2019.  
23 Market Access Upgrade Programme, vi ewed at  http://www.intracen.org/projects/Market -Access -
Upgrade -Programme/  on 10 April 2019.  
24 The Ethical Fashion Initiative, viewed at http://www.intracen.org/itc/projects/ethical -fashion/  on 
10 April 2019.  
25 The She Trades Invest Initiative, viewed at http://www.intracen.org/ITC -and-GroFin -launch -
SheTrades -Invest -for-women -entrepreneurs/  on 10 April 2019.  
26 The Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and Trad e, viewed at 
https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/mc11_12dec17_e.htm  on 10 April 2019.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  jobs for women. Businesses in Eg ypt, Ghana, Iraq, Côte d'Ivoire , Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, 
Senegal, South  Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Oman were eligible to take part.  
35. ITC was more than ever engaged to  support policymakers with data and evidence -based tools 
for ensuring  that policies and reforms were working for women. ITC was developing with the support 
of UK DFID a new set of data and policy instruments into the SheTrades Outlook index. Five countries 
of the Commonwealth had been selected in the pilot phase.   
36. ITC continue d to co-lead the multiagency response to ease access to trade information for 
business through the Global Trade Helpdesk. UNCTAD, WTO and ITC had signed an agreement on 
23 November  2018 to advance the development of HelpMeTrade.org , a one -stop shop for businesses 
and policymakers to access trade data and practical information on target markets.  In addition, ITC 
was working with the Secretariat for Economic Integration of Central America for capacitating 
women -owned businesses to transact online and benefit new market connection through digital 
platforms. In the region, ITC and USAID were  working in trade facilitation and smart cross -border 
technologies between Guatemala and El Salvador . ITC ha d also started  the implementation of the 
Colombia PUEDE project to improve the livelihoods of small -scale producers and their families in 
conflict -affected areas of the southern department of Nariño, Colombia.27 
37. ITC would be marking  International Woman’s Day in March with a competition bringing 
together business schools to show how they could  integrate SDG 5 into business plans. ITC would  
also be involved with  the UN 's MSME day in June. Finally, ITC's Executive Director, Arancha Gonzalez, 
the African Union and the European Un ion were about to  inaugurate the African Trade Observatory 
mechanism, in the margins of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African 
Union in Addis Ababa. This represent ed a concrete contribution to the advancement of the Africa 
Contine ntal Free Trade Area.  
38. The representative of Guinea  comment ed on ITC's presentation. In 2018, the Executive 
Director of the ITC  had visited Guinea with a delegation representing several divisions of the ITC in 
the context of a launch of the European Union's  Integra  programme  which aimed to settle young 
candidates for migration . Several actions  had resulted from the visit. At the time of the meeting , 
there was also an ITC delegation present to provide capacity building to the cocoa sector. She had 
also announced an event du e to take place on 11-12 March 2019 in Conakry and devoted to the  
support the  economic and trade embassies of Guinea in being better equipped to assisting potential 
investor s and young returnee migrants . The representative of the Centr al African Republic , speaking 
on behalf of the LDCs, thank ed the ITC for  its work to enhance economic and productive capacit ies. 
He encouraged the Centre to further extend its  programme s in support  of businesses and trade in 
LDCs. The representative of Benin associated himself with other delegations and express ed gratitude 
to the ITC  and its  Executive Director 's commitment . The representative s of Colombia  and Mali also 
thanked the ITC for its cooperation activities.  
39. The representative of the United States  shared information on  the public -private partnership 
that is the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation  which receive d support from the US  Agency for 
international development .28 In January 2019, a new e ngagement had been made with Zambia to 
work with the pr ivate sector on improving the skills of custom brokers and freight forwarders and 
their interactions with customs officials. Through this initiative, customs clearing agents would  be 
able to access a professional course delivered by qualified trainers.  
40. The representative of Japan  said that, with regards to assistance through the ITC, Japan  had 
contributed approximately US $800,000 to assist four ITC projects in the Middle East and Africa, 
including Syria, Jordan, and Sudan. These projects,  which had  commenc ed in 2018, aim ed to 
promote  social stability through vocational training for refugees , expand employment opportunities, 
and promot e trade -led economic growth. Japan would  continue to work together with the ITC to 
empower  youth and women in developing coun tries. 
41. The representative of Afghanistan  thanked the  WBG, the ITC, the EIF as well as Members for 
providing updated reports and information on ongoing projects. More particularly, t he European 
Union, United States and Japan  had provided reports after Afghanistan's WTO accession . And, t he 
                                                
27 Colombia Puede, viewed at http://www.intracen.org/country/colombia/  on 10 April 2019.  
28 The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, viewed at https://www.tradefacilitation.org/  on 9 April 
2019.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  European Union had supported a project aimed at building capacity  to boost and  diversify export s 
and improve  the policy framework to promote  public -private dialogue.  
42. The representative of Morocco  commend ed the ITC and UNIDO on their efforts to support 
developing countries and LDCs.  
V.  Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  
 
43. The Chair recalled that the Aid for Trade Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)  exercise on 
"Supporting Economic Diversi fication and Empowerment for Inclusive, Sustainable Development 
through Aid for Trade"  had been  launched at the end of November 2018 with a deadline for 
completion of self -assessment questionnaires set for 31 December 2018  and which was  then 
subsequently extended  to 31 January 2019 .  
44. The representative of  the Secretariat  provide d an overview of responses  to the joint 
2019 OECD -WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise . A total of 93 self -assessment questionnaires had been 
received, 62 of them from partner countrie s, 30 of which  were LDCs, 27 from donors, 3 from South -
South Partners and  1 from a Regional Economic Community.  Responses were still coming in a t the 
time of the meeting. The Chair  extended the deadline  for responses to 15 February  2019. The early 
narrative  emerging from responses would  inform  the A id for Trade At a Glance publication to be 
launched jointly by the WTO and OECD at the Global Review . The 2019 publication would  include  
contributions from the EIF , ITC, UNDP, UNIDO and the World Bank. An AfT  technical workshop 
organi zed in May 2019 would provide the opportunity for Members to comment on the draft chapters  
and analys es. He then spoke about  the Global Review , scheduled on  3-5 July 2019 , and recalled the 
deadline for submission s of side events  had been set as 31 March  2019.  
45. The representative of China  welcome d proposals for side events at the Global Review in 
July 2019. China was looking forward to participating in  the Review which aimed to help developing 
countries , and especially LDCs , derive maximum development benefits from trade.  
46. The representative of the Secretariat  provide d a summary on the workshop  held the previous 
day on  Aid for Trade, Sustainable Development and the Green Economy  with a particular focus on 
building resilient in frastructure, access to energy and power generation . Introducing the workshop, 
the Chair had recalled that economic diversification was a central theme of the 2018 -2019 
Aid-for-Trade Work Programme. Economic diversification was also integral to green growt h, climate 
change adaptation, and sustainable industrial development .29 
47. Setting the Scene, Hoe Lim, Director of the Trade and Environment Division, WTO,  had 
presented  on "Economic diversification as an engine for promoting sustainable development and the 
green economy ". His presentation focused on the "triple win" for prosperity, environment and 
resilience from green diversification. Recalling the joint publication launched at the Public Forum  
with UN -Environment, he pointed to mounting global environment challenges, including extreme 
weather events and natural disasters. The UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda had also put 
a spotlight on more sustainable production and consumption. Global warming of  1 degree celsius 
had already happened, according to I ntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  research, with 
further warming on its way and a generally negative prognosis, if action was not taken. Trade in 
agricultural products was one of the sectors he i dentified that would be affected by climate change, 
as would trade in fish products through warming and ocean acidification. He outlined the opportunity 
to use diversification and trade to promote sustainable activities to benefit the economy and the 
environment. His presentation discussed how trade was supporting this transition and diversification 
towards green economic activities. He concluded his presentation with ideas on the role that Aid for 
Trade could play in this regard.  
48. Launching session 1 on pol icy perspectives, Kusum Lata,  had spoke n on behalf of the 
United  Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). She explained the potential 
positive and adverse impacts of mitigation effects from limiting climate change to the Paris Target 
(i.e. an increase in temperature of less than 2 degrees celsius). She explained the need for a 
sustainable transition from the fossil -fuel-based economy to a renewable one, minimizing the 
economic and social impacts of the change, particularly for narrowly -focused commodity -based 
                                                
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  economies such as those of the LDCs. Moving away from single -sector dependence made sense in 
both an environment and economic sense, and was being discussed in the UNFCCC forum on 
response measures. Government intervention was an essenti al part of the change needed to green 
growth in her view.  
49. Francisco Boshell had introduced the International Renewable Energy Agency, (IRENA), an 
inter-governmental authority established in 2011, together with IRENA's mandate. The energy 
sector was respon sible for two -thirds of green gas emissions. More than 90% of the emission 
reductions needed by 2050 could be met through renewables and energy efficiency. A turning point 
had been reached in 2012, when investment in renewable energy generation globally ha d overtaken 
that in carbon sources. There was then more capacity in renewable energy than in coal, with over 
10 million jobs created through these investments. The driver for change was the business case for 
investment. Renewables were inherent lower costs , with the technology itself becoming more price 
competitive against existing carbon technology. However, fossil fuels still drove 80% of economic 
activity. Addressing carbon emissions from transport, industry and buildings was more challenging, 
but electr ification and digitalization held tremendous promise. A 50% target for electrification in 
these sectors could only be achieved through an acceleration of investment of up to US $120 billion 
annually. Quality infrastructure was also essential to the spread o f renewables, and the use of 
international standards in Puerto Rico and Tanzania were cited in support of this insight.  
50. Orestes Anastasia had explained the Global Green Growth Institute's (GGGI) mandate and 
operations as an inter -governmental organization working across some 30 countries. Citing global 
trends and research on planetary boundaries, he highlighted the dangers of large -scale and 
irreversible changes, from climate change and deforestation. Green growth solutions were needed 
to make this transiti on tangible and GGGI was working with countries to implement policy solutions. 
Investment in renewable infrastructure would yield a net benefit in terms of jobs and economic 
value. The adverse impacts of climate change would spur the transition, as would n ew business 
models and reductions in the cost of new green technologies such as photo voltaic solar cells, battery 
storage and the adoption of electric vehicles. Fiji's green growth strategy was explained – a strategy 
that included the target of zero emiss ions by 2030. Ethiopia's resilient green economy strategy was 
also profiled, together with the green investment financing system, along with those of the 
United  Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Rwanda and Colombia.  
51. Questions from participants had focused on the r ole of trade policy and green growth prospects 
for LDCs. A high -level call was made to bring actors together to discuss the transition to green 
economy. Possible effect on employment was cited, together with the role of developing and 
developed countries i n a situation of a common challenge, but differentiated, responsibilities. 
A question was asked why green growth was not progressing faster if the benefits were indeed 
higher than costs. Responding to questions, a paradox was highlighted in that government s were 
not leading the transition, but nevertheless essential to promoting it. Non -tariff barriers for green 
products were cited as an area where trade  policy could focus. The creation of jobs in production 
and services dimensions of renewable energy was d iscussed. The role of innovation, not just in goods 
but also in business models, was considered critical. Transition to renewables would happen and was 
unstoppable; some were even arguing that, in some sectors, the pace was too fast. The case for 
eliminati ng trade barriers to speed up rates of adoption was made.  
52. In session 2, on practice perspectives, the need to boost rates of adoption of clean technology 
was highlighted by UNIDO in a presentation themed "Implementing inclusive and sustainable 
industrial d evelopment at the regional and country level".  Industry, and in particular manufacturing, 
was the largest energy user. The head of UNIDO's Geneva Office, Frank Van Rompaey , had explained 
different stages of industrialization in terms of early, middle and late industrial development with 
regards to industry's GDP contribution. The most polluting industries tended to be middle industries, 
such as cement, metals, non -metallic miner als and chemicals that had low technology but high 
energy needs and environmental impacts. New technology needed to be used when developing 
countries moved into these "medium industries", as this technology would be locked in for decades.  
53. More than half of  UNIDO's US $100 million technical cooperation activities was directed to 
sustainable industrialization, in particular the greening of industries and creating green industries. 
In 1994, UNIDO and U nited Nations Environment Programme  had pioneered resource -efficient, 
clearer production centers  in 65  different locations worldwide. Eco -industrial parks were being 
promoted with GIZ financing and had been established in seven  countries, with 200 companies. 
Clean technology opportunities for MSMEs and chemical lea sing were other initiatives cite d. WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45  
 
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  Detoxifying waste for recovery of e -waste amounted to a US $62 billion opportunity. The 
representative of UNIDO also touched on the circular economy.  
54. Regina Asariotis, Chief, Policy and Legislation Section, United Nations Conference on Trade 
and Development (UNCTAD), had presented on "Global  perspectives on the impact of climate change 
and its relevance to the Sustainable Development Agenda".  Ms Asariotis highlighted the importance 
of shipping in the integrated network of g lobal supply chains. With 80% of global trade carried by 
sea, international shipping and ports provided crucial linkages in global supply chains and were 
essential for the ability of all countries to access global markets. Ports were affected directly and 
indirectly by climatic change, with broader implications for international trade and for the 
development prospects of the most vulnerable nations, in particular LDCs and S mall Island 
Developing States. Given the potential economic implications of climate -related damage, disruption 
and delay, building the climate resilience of global ports was of strategic economic importance. 
Maritime transport was not only a "culprit" but also a "victim". More attention so far had been paid 
to mitigation than adaptation. E xamples of disruption to transportation systems from sea -level rises 
and air transport were presented. The results of UNCTAD's port industry survey was discussed, 
together with the need to mainstream climate change considerations into operations.  
55. Olivia R iera, Principal Economist at the EBRD had presented on "Promoting green value chains 
– trade in environmental goods and EBRD investment strategies to support the green economy 
transition". EBRD's core value was to foster open, market -oriented economies and  support private 
initiative through investments based on promoting transition, sound banking principles, additionality 
and sustainability. As part of this approach, the EBRD has introduced a new transition concept based 
on six qualities of sustainable mark et economies: competitive, well -governed, green, inclusive, 
resilient and integrated.  
56. EBRD had set a 40% target for green financing amounting by 2020 to the equivalent of 
US$4 billion in renewable energy investments, green bonds, green economy financing facilities and 
climate change measures in telecommunications. In the second part of her presentation , she focused 
on a study on trade in environmental goods. Trade in these products was going at 9% yearly, but 
accounted for only 2% of global imports. There  was a significant potential for growth, but tariffs and 
non-tariff barriers were constraining this potential. Trade in green growth was predicted to grow to 
US$2-3 trillion by 2030. An EBRD study had shown tha t reducing trade barriers would help grow 
trade in environmental goods and to achieve green policy objectives.  
57. The representative of China  praised the Secretariat and as well as various intergovernmental 
organization s for their participation in organizing the workshop . She asked whether the audio file s 
of the workshop could be made available online; if Members could join in the decision -making of 
future workshops; and whether or not other ones had been planned for the year . 
58. The Chair responded that a  podcast  of the event would be made public on the WTO  website 
in the ensuing  days; workshops were the result of Members ' engagement ; and that two further  
workshop s were planned . 
59. The representative of Bolivia  reiterate d the importance and usefulness of AfT workshops for 
developing countries to reflect on  the information provided yesterday by the experts.  
60. The representative of Benin  also praised the Secretariat for the quality of the workshop as it 
emphasi zed challenges  faced and potential opportunities . With c limate and meteorological events 
occurring more frequently , he judged that no one could  credibly question the existence  of a change 
in the global climate and its many  repercussions of economic and social lif e. He called for s ynergies 
to be buil t and for countries to mob ilize themselves to cope with th ese major events. There were 
initiatives already developed by countries,  regions, international organizations  and the private sector  
but all should cooperate to ensure that the burden was carried together . He encourage d all to get  
involved in the work and think in favour of humanity, human life and sustainability.  
61. The representative of Australia  thanked  the Secretariat for the organization of the  workshops  
and confirmed that these had resulted from Member decisions.  
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  63. The representative of the Secretariat  then reported  on a further even held the previous day: 
Workshop on Connectivity and Skills Development, including policies related to digital connectivity 
and e -commerce .30 
64. In his opening remarks, the Chair, H.E. Mr Diego Aulestia, Ambassador of Ecuador, had noted 
the opportunities and challenges that digital connectivity offered to developing countries. He recalled 
the focus on this topic at the last Global Review of Aid for Trade in July 2017 and suggested it was 
time to revisit this issue, notably the digital divide between urban and rural areas, large and small 
firms, men and women, together with the need to enhance digital skills to participate in e -commerce.  
65. Torbjörn Fredriksson, Chief ICT Policy Section from UNCTAD set the scene for the workshop 
by discussing the way that the digital economy was transforming the trade and business landscape, 
for example in forms of company market share and capitalization. He highli ghted the central role 
that digital platforms and data play ed in today 's economy as well as their policy implications, of 
which trade was but one component. He noted that while the digital economy ha d been growing at 
a rapid pace, the rate of progression v aried across regions. Many developing countries, especially 
the LDCs, were inadequately prepared to capture the emerging potentials of digitalization due to low 
internet use, lack of data or consumer protection laws, lack of information and communications 
technology ( ICT) infrastructure, low level of skills, and weak position in the data value chain.  
66. He reiterated the need to establish effective cross -sectoral coordination, collect better 
statistics, and lend more support. Aid -for-Trade funding for ICT had declined from 3% a decade ago 
to 1.2% in 2019 . He also noted multilateral development banks' low spending  in ICT and the lack of 
digital for development strategies among donors. Lastly, he provided an overview of recent eTrade 
Readiness assessments, includ ing that of Madagascar, and highlighted some of the challenges and 
good practices identified among LDCs. The  e-Trade for All initiative ha d expanded to include new 
partners, namely UNIDO, South Centre and CUTS. He recalled that  UNCTAD E-Commerce Week  
would  take place from 3 -5 April.  
67. Jaime Granados, Division Chief for Integration and Trade in the Inter -American Development 
Bank (IADB) introduced the work IADB undertakes to promote digital transformation of trade in 
Latin America and the Caribbean  (LAC) . He discussed  global digital readiness, which reveals 
asymmetries across countries, with most countries in LAC scoring close to the world average. Some 
countries that st ood to gain remain ed unprepared to harness the potential of the digital economy. 
He undersco red the need to improve digital readiness as a critical element to overcome the 
challenges brought on by digitalization and capture the opportunities in terms of productivity gains 
and a wider variety of products. He stated that the IADB st ood ready to fos ter digital transformation 
and close the gap in LAC by developing specialized human capital, enhancing digital literacy, 
supporting governments and institutions, and improving broadband infrastructure.  
68. In discussing the role digitalization plays in reducin g trade cost s, he highlighted two pillars of 
IADB's operational work, namely institutional transformation and evolving business models. Some 
areas which require d further support include d regulatory frameworks, connectivity, skills and SME 
financing. IADB 's vision for future work included promoting regulatory coherence, renewing policy 
frameworks, strengthening infrastructure, promoting Public Private Dialogue, all of which are steps 
toward the overarching goal of strengthening regional digital markets. In t hat context, he showcased 
Connect America initiative and trade facilitation country program mes to promote single window and 
border management. Digital transformation blurred the boundaries between goods, services, and 
investment which called for a need to rethink trade issues. He concluded by highlighting the 
importance of advancing the trade and development agenda.  
69. Susan Teltscher, Head of the Human Capacity Building Division at International 
Telecommunication Union (ITU) had focused on the link between co nnectivity and 
skills.  She presented global trends which show that ICT connectivity has been increasing 
continuously over the past decade, with very high mobile penetration rates globally. Her headline 
figure was that 51% of the world's population were using the internet  in 2019 . Amongst the 49%  not 
online, there was a considerable gap between internet access and usage. In LDCs, only 20% of the 
                                                
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  population used the internet even though 70% had a 3G network. Barriers to internet usage included  
lack of ski lls. 
70. Most people who use the internet had only basic digital skills. Even in developed countries, 
there was a considerable skills gap, with only 5% knowing how to code or write a computer 
program me. Other major skills gaps found in the area of e -commerce, included cybersecurity, big 
data analytics, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. She highlight ed the role the international 
community can play in building capacities and developing skills in the digital era.  She presented a 
number of initiatives  and activities ITU is carrying out, including the ITU Centers of Excellence 
program me, ITU  Digital Skills toolkit for policymakers, Africa Girls Can Code Initiative , among 
others.  
71. The human capacity challenges arising from growing digitization were the fo cus of 
Pierre  Sauvé's presentation for the WB G. He noted some of the legitimate concerns posed by 
structural change and automation in manufacturing. The number of jobs created in e -commerce was 
up to three times greater than the number of jobs lost in bric k-and-mortar retail outlets but concerns 
over the retail industry grabbed the headlines. The emergence of new business models allowed 
entrepreneurs to be born global and scale up rapidly. It provided opportunities for new, flexible types 
of work that compl ement traditional forms of employment. It also gave  huge first mover advantage 
which call ed for better  competition policy.  
72. He further elaborated that the digital economy could pose concerns due to an increasingly 
atomized labour market and rising inequalit y rooted in the division between returns to labo ur and 
capital. The changing nature of work was not without distributional consequences. A shift in the 
focus of social policy towards enhancing the supply of skills and protecting people, not jobs was 
perhap s needed. He stated that the most significant investments that people, firms, and 
governments could  make in the changing nature of work were in enhancing human capital, especially 
in cognitive skills, socio -behavioral skills, and adaptability, all of which  were skills in which women 
showed greater capability. He pointed to the need to redesign social safety nets and  the mobilization 
of tax revenue. To conclude, he emphasized that benefitting from e -trade required expanding 
modern education program mes with the development of skills and entrepreneurship for digital 
markets.  
73. Discussions on the presentations focused on regional digital markets in L AC, market 
concentration in the digital economy, digital skills' strategy, and ways to place digital connecti vity 
as a priority when other pressing basic needs were higher on the agenda. In reply, the  panelists 
discussed various topics including competition, taxation, and social protection.  
74. In the next section of the workshop, Mrs Esther Eghobamien -Mshelia , from the Women Arise 
Development & Humanitarian Initiative (WADHI) in Nigeria , focused on digital financial inclusion to 
improve women's livelihoods and enterprise. As one of the 122 Signatories to the Buenos Aires 
Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empo werment, Nigeria ha d developed national 
strategies to enhance gender equality through trade and digital solutions.  She presented "KOWGO," 
a financial inclusion mobile application developed by WADHI in partnership with Intel and Nigeria's 
Bank of Industry. She stated that the objective was to expand financial opportunities, bridge digital 
divide and optimize women 's entrepreneurial capacities and trade opportunities. The application 
helped women acquire financial skills and train them in financial management , such as keeping 
records and evaluating business. She explained that the tool also provide d women with a way to 
generate financial records, hence facilitating their access to loans. Through the application they c ould 
also track the repayment and recovery of their loans, making it easier for women to have access to 
loans and mitigating the risks of financial institutions investing in small businesses . More broadly, 
the application also addresse d low technological skills among women which limit ed their parti cipation 
in digital trade and their capacity to grow their businesses.  
75. Dr Rashmi Banga, Senior Economic Affairs Officer and Officer -in-charge in the Unit on 
Economic Cooperation & Integration Among Developing Countries at UNCTAD, had focused her 
presentati on on digital industrial policy. She stated that the Fourth Digital Industrial Revolution was 
characterized by an increase of digital content in industrial production through higher use of digital 
services and technologies in manufacturing. She noted that the estimated value -added by digital 
services to manufacturing exports showed wide variation between developed and developing 
countries. She explained that while developed countries were investing heavily on building their 
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  noted the trend towards greater market concentration, leading to a polarized world in which the 
share of e -commerce market was captured by a few.  
76. She pointed to the competition dimension  of the recent e -commerce policy change introduced 
in India as a welcome development. She stated the need to fully understand the different layers of 
going digital, from having broadband infrastructure, followed by data infrastructure and data 
intelligence . To accrue the value from data ownership, she stressed the need to establish data 
legislation that enshrined sovereignty. In that context, she provided an example of data policy in 
Rwanda. She recommended the establishment of targeted policies at the nati onal and regional levels, 
including through the formation of regional hub in the data economy, to enable developing countries 
to build their digital capacities. She also shared information on the regional support provided through 
a ten-point South -South di gital cooperation agenda.  
77. The final presentation by Mrs Jinjoo -Hyun, representative from the Korea International 
Cooperation Agency (KOICA), had showcased technical -assistance projects implemented in the 
South East Asian region, which was a priority region for Korea's Official Development Assistance. 
She provided an overview of the project on IT capacity building for government officials in Indonesia 
implemented from 2013 to 2016 with the Ministry of Communication and Information. KOICA al so 
provide d support to partner countries such as Viet Nam, Cambodia and Myanmar through 
modernization or construction of electronic government systems and e -government policies. Future 
areas of work would  include developing national policy for Aid for Trad e, designing common 
indicators for measuring and monitoring, and ensuring consistency of priorities.  
78. Discussions highlighted the importance of acquiring know -how and experience -sharing in 
terms of digital progress. The panelists touched on competition poli cies, taxation and digitalization 
in the financial sector. In closing, the Chair concluded by noting that the progress on e -commerce 
depend ed on a set of factors, including solid connectivity and digital skills, complemented with 
enabling policies.  
79. The rep resentative of Benin  called for  the experience -sharing of positive examples  in building  
trade capacity , digital infrastructure and financial service s. This would support developing countries' 
and regions' efforts to promote the digital economy and develop related activities.  Work was needed 
to bridge the huge internet connectivity gaps that still existed in developing countries , and 
particularly in the leas t developed among them . Otherwise , financial services and the management 
of e-commerce would  face serious challenge s despite the internet  being a vital tool for d evelopment.  
80. The representative of the European Union  thanked the Secretariat for organizing the 
workshop s. To help participants, she concurred with the Chair's idea to limit them to a top ic per day.  
C. OTHER BUSINESS  
 
81. No item was raised under "Other Business".  
82. The meeting was adjourned . 
 
 
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