WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
7 July  2017 
(17-3651) Page: 1/24 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Aid for Trade    
 
INFRASTRUCTURE AND S ERVICES  
Joint OECD -WTO Aid -for-Trade Monitoring and Evaluation Exercise  
for the  Global Review  2017 
 
 
Contents  
1   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 2 
2   INTRODUCTION TO 2017  AID-FOR-TRADE MONITORING AND  EVALUATION 
EXERCISE  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  3 
3   STRATEGIES LINKING I NFRASTRUCTURE, SERVI CES DEVELOPMENT, AND  
INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4 
4   FASTEST GROWING SERV ICES SECTORS, CONSTR AINTS, AND ACTIONS T O 
IMPROVE THE INVESTME NT CLIMATE  ................................ ................................ ..............  8 
5   SERVICES INVES TMENT PRIORITIES, DE VELOPMENTAL IMPACT, AND 
FINANCING  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  14 
6   CONCLUSIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  18 
ANNEX 1  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  19 
ANNEX 2  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  1  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
1.1.  Infrastructure is integral to the operation of many services markets  such as transport, 
logistics, i nformation and communication technologies (ICTs), interne t services, etc. Building and 
updating trade -related infrastructure for inclusive and sustainable development, and the 
development of related services markets, are in line with the obj ectives of the Aid -for-Trade  
Initiative, the 2015 Addis Ababa Action Age nda (AAAA) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development.  
1.2.  Successive UN International Conferences on Financing for Development have highlighted the 
need to bridge an infrastructure deficit  faced by deve loping countries. Work in the G 20, the 2030 
Sustain able Development Agenda, by multilateral development banks, and the creation of new 
infrastructure focused  institutions and initiatives has brought added fo cus to this issue. Successive 
Aid-for-Trade ( AfT) monitoring exercises have also highlighted the neg ative impact of deficient or 
missing infrastructure, notably regional and cross -border infrastructure, on developing countries' 
trade performance and development prospects. Upgrading trade -related infrastructure is a key 
objective of the Aid -for-Trade Init iative.  
1.3.  The 2030 Agenda includes a specific goal (SDG 9) to build resilient infrastructure, inclusive 
and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. The 2015 A AAA recognizes that both public 
and private infrastructure have key roles to play in i nfrastructure financing, through a variety of 
different mechanisms including blended finance. While it recognizes the progress that many 
countries have made to build transparent, stable and predictable investment climates, the AAAA 
recognizes the need for further concerted action.1  
1.4.  The aim of this briefing note is to present the results of WTO -OECD M onitoring and 
Evaluation (M&E)  questionnaire with respect to the topic of infrastructure upgrading and the 
development of services markets. This  analysis is ba sed on the 111 Af T questionnaire responses 
and 145 case stories. Among the 111  questionnaire responses, 63 were received from developing 
countries (including 28 least developed countries ( LDCs)), 38  from donors (both bilateral and 
multilateral), three  from South-South partners, and seven  from regional economic communities 
(RECs). This briefing note also highlights key messages from case stories that focus on 
infrastructure, services or investment.  
1.5.  More specifically, this note expands on the following key messages emerging from the 
2017 AfT M&E Exercise:  
 Trade -related infrastructure development is a priority in the national development strategy 
(NDS) of all the developing countries that replied to the survey. Transport infrastructure is 
identified as a prior ity in 46 partner countries, following by energy -related infrastructure in  
39 partner countries, and communications infrastructure in 34 partner countries. Thirty  donor 
respondents (75%) also include the development of trade -related infrastructure among th eir 
priorities for development cooperation.  
 
 In 57 developing countries, improvements in trade -related infrastructure are linked to the 
development of rel ated services sectors. The top three  services trade sectors being prioritized 
by partner countries are  tourism and travel related services, transport services, and computer 
and related services. Most RECs also identify transport services as a priority in their regional 
development strategies.  
 
 Seventy -nine per  cent of developing country respondents (i.e. 5 0 of the 63 replies) stated that 
their national development strategy linked growth in services capacity and trade to growth in 
industrial capacity and manufacturing exports. Among partner countries, the top three  services 
sectors which are seen as contribu ting to growth of industrial capacity and manufacturing are 
transport services, computer -related services and research and development services. Most 
donor countries noted that transport, financial, and educational services are linked to growth in 
industri al capacity and manufacturing exports.  
 
                                                
1 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/64 . WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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   The highest growing services sectors in partner countries are computer and related services, 
financial services, and tourism and travel related services. Partner countries consider that the 
top five issues constrain ing growth in their national services capacity include access to finance, 
low levels of domestic investment, the absence of a national services policy framework, low 
levels of foreign direct investment  (FDI) , and the quality of services offered.  
 
 Some of these same constraints were repeated in the analysis of issues constraining growth in 
services tra de. Partner countries identify  access to finance, the absence of a national services 
policy framework, low levels of FDI, poor information and communication t echnology network 
infrastructure, and poor trans port infrastructure as the top five  issues cons training services 
trade growth.  Most donors shared the opinion that access to finance and low levels of FDI are 
the main issues constraining growth in national s ervices capacity and trade in partner countries. 
For RECs, limited access to export markets is the highest ranked constraint on growth in 
regional services trade.  
 
 Most partner countries are seeking to attract investment in tourism and travel related servi ces, 
computer and related services, and financial services. Sixty-two partner countries have included 
actions in their NDS to improve the investment climate, notably through updating investment 
policies and strategies. Furthermore, over the past five years , 47 partner countries have taken 
actions to update investment policies, 42 have taken actions to facilitate the entry and 
operations of foreign investors, and 38 have committed to trai ning officials. Over the past 
five years, donors have also taken initia tives to improve the investment climate in partner 
countries notably by training officials, and focusing on public governance and institutions.  
 
 Ninety -two per  cent of developing county respondents (58 replies in total) state that 
developments in services  capacity and trade can contribute to women’s economic 
empowerment, and 60 believe that services trade can contribute to the achievement of the 
SDGs notably SDG 3 (good health and well -being), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent 
work and economic grow th), and SDG 9  (industry, i nnovation and infrastructure). Eleven  
donors are providing targeted assistance to LDCs to utilize the opportunities available under the 
LDC services waiver.  
 
2  INTRODUCTION TO 2017  AID-FOR-TRADE  MONITORING AND EVALUATION  EXERCISE  
2.1.  This document provides an overview of the information collected on infrastructure and 
services, from the 2017 A fT M&E exerc ise. It collates material from two  sources: responses to 
self-assessment questionnaires and submissions of case stories. The self -assessment 
questionnaire was addressed to developing and least developed countries, RECs and transport 
corridors, donors (bilateral, multilateral) and South -South partners. Figure 1 below breaks down 
the responses received by respondent. Figure 2 provides a b reakdown of submissions made in 
response to the call for case stories. Further information on respondents is provided in Annex 1.  
Figure 1 . Self-assessment questionnaires by respondents  
 
  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M &E exercise (2017).  Total 
responses: 
111 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  Figure 2 . Case  stories by focus  
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
2.2.  This briefing note is structured as follows: first, it analyses the links between infrastructure, 
services development, and industrial capacity; second, it provides an overview of acti ons to 
improve the investment climate in partner countries including regulatory measures; and finally, it 
provides insights into financing needs and strategies going forward.  
2.3.  More specifically, responses to questions related to the linkages between infrast ructure, 
services and industry from section 4 of the M&E questionnaires are quantified and analysed. The 
questionnaires also include additional qualitative information which will be integrated where 
applicable.  
3  STRATEGIES LINKING I NFRASTRUCTURE, SERVI CES DEVELOPMENT, AND IND USTRIAL 
CAPACITY  
3.1.  Trade -related infrastructural development is a key priority in  partner countries, with all 
63 partner country respondents having noted its inclusion in their NDS. Based on the number of 
responses, figure 3 below illustr ates that transport infrastructure is identified as a development 
priority in the NDS of 46 partner countries, while energy -related infrastructure is included in the 
NDS of 39 partner countries, and communications infrastructure in 34 partner countries.  
 
Figure 3 . Infrastructural Priorities in Partner Countries  
0 10 20 30 40 50Communications InfrastructureEnergy InfrastructureTransport Infrastructure
Partner Countries
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  3.2.  Addressing trade -related infrastructural development is also a prior ity for donors (see 
example in B ox 1). Questionnai re responses show that 30 donors have integrated trade -related 
infrastructure in their development strategies, and 23 donors have policy incentives targeted to 
infrastructural development. Furthermore, trade -related infrastructural development is featured in 
33 donor -partner country development dialogues. As illustrated in figure 4 below, energy -related 
infrastructure features in most donor -partner country development dialogues, followed by 
transport infrastructure, and finally communications infrastructure .  
3.3.  Similarly, energy and transport infrastructure rank as the highest featured sectors in 
donor -REC development dialogues. Twenty -eight donor respondents noted that infrastructure 
featured in their dialogues with regional partners. By sector, 17 donors sta ted that energy and 
transport infrastructure each featured in developmen t dialogues with RECs, while 16  donors 
mentioned that communications infrastructure is part of their development dialogues with RECs 
(see figure 4).  
3.4.  The development of transport infra structure is also included in Sout h-South development 
dialogues. Two  out of three  South -South countries have development strategies which prioritize 
transport infrastructure. In Chile's questionnaire response, the respondent referred to a special 
policy in itiative which supports the development of Paraguay's road infrastructure, a project which 
focuses on the development of a bi -oceanic corridor linking Argentina,  Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.  
Figure 4 . Infrastructural  Priorities in Donor      Box 1 . Infrastr ucture in Australia’s  
Dialogues        Aid-for-Trade Strategy    
Source : OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)    
 
Source: OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade Case Story 155 
(2017)  
 
3.5.  Case Story ( CS) 61 presented by Afghanistan's Ministry of Commerce and Industry explains 
that developments to Iran's Chabahar port can facilitate trade, economic development and 
regional integration for a landlocked Afghanistan. As such, the 2016 Chabahar Agreement, signed 
by India, Iran and Afghanistan, provides for investments to modernize the po rt's infrastructure. 
Investments to improve Chabahar port offers an alternative route for Afgh an goods to reach 
New Delhi in five  days, cutting the transit time through Pakistan by half. It can also decrease 
transit costs from Afghanistan to India by US $500 to 1 ,000 per container, decrease the time 
required to transit a shipment by 10 days to 20 days, and provide opportunities for Afghan 
investors to invest in the Chabahar Free Trade Zone.  Addressing poor economic infrastructure is 
one of the key objectives of Australia’s Aid 
for Trade Investment Strategy. Case Story 
(CS) 155 explains that high quality 
infrastructure increase s economic 
integration and connectivity, which allows 
for the development of production networks 
and supply chains. Examples of Australia’s 
infrastructural assistance were in 2011 and 
2013 when Cambodia suffered se vere 
flooding. Damage to infrastructure an d lost 
economic activity from these catastrophes 
were estimated in the hundreds of millions 
of dollars. In response, Australia launched 
the Cambodia Emergency Flood 
Rehabilitation Project, to restore rural 
communities’ access to markets and to 
critical ser vices including schools and health 
centres (CS 155).  
0 10 20 30Communications
InfrastructureTransport
InfrastructureEnergy
Infrastructure
Partner Country RECsWT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  3.6.  In CS 76, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBR D) notes that Bosnia 
and Herzegovina's economic development requires the development of its transport infrastructure 
to ensure sustainable regional connectivity. Despite the country's geographical proximity with the 
European Union ( EU), Bosnia and Herzegov ina's connectivity has been affected by uncompetitive 
rail transport. The EBRD has been involved in two railway development projects which focus on 
rehabilitation, building new tracks, reconstructing tunnels, and installing new signalling systems. 
Both pro jects were co -financed by European Investment Bank ( EIB) and supported by multiple 
other donors including the EU, Canada, Italy, Japan and the United States (US) . Both projects also 
form part of the Trans -European Transport Network, a context in which EBRD  also financed 
multiple road rehabilitation projects.  
3.7.  Regional infrastructural development initiatives have also been undertaken in 
communications. In CS 16, the African Development Bank (AfDB) highlights regional and national 
ICT infrastructural projects as part of the Connect Africa Initiative. In light of the challenges for 
African (landlocked) countries to access submarine cables, the main objective of Connect Africa 
projects is to facilitate the broadband connectivity of African countries through impro vements to 
regional fibre -optic infrastructure. According to CS 16, a number of submarine cable backbone 
projects have been proposed in recent years with coverage of 70,000  km of coastal line and an 
estimated cost of US $6.4 billion. Table 1 below provides an overview.  
Table 1 . Regional Fibre -Optic Connectivity Projects  
Project  Description  
Central African 
Backbone (CAB)  Implementation of a telecommunications network comprising onward 
terrestrial fibre connections linked to undersea optical fibre cable syst em 
in the African Western Coast (SAT3) with the aim of linking several 
Central African countries and providing the region with a digital 
broadband access to the global fibre network. The broadband backbone 
intends to leverage the fibre optic infrastructure  laid along the oil pipeline 
between Kribi (Cameroon) and Doba (Chad), and will interconnect in its 
phase 1 three countries: Cameroon, Chad, and Central African Republic.  
 
East Africa Broadband 
Network (EABN)  Implementation of an integrated East African B roadband ICT 
Infrastructure Network aimed at providing cross -border connectivity 
between five EAC Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, 
Uganda) and link with global gateways through submarine fibre cable 
systems.  
 
South Africa Region 
Backbone  (SATA)  To improve cross border links to interconnect the Southern Africa n 
Development Community (SADC) m ember states. The objective is to 
improve cross border connectivity of the South Africa Region Backbone's 
participating Members countries through optic al fibre networks and link 
them to submarine cable systems including the Eastern African 
Submarine Cable System (EASSy).  
 
ECOWAS Power Pool -
based Fibre Network  The objective of the West Africa Power Pool’s (WAPP) project is to expand 
broadband access in t he ECOWAS region by first leveraging the WAPP 
communications infrastructure network, and linking the WAPP network to 
national and regional infrastructure to bridge connectivity gaps in the 
ECOWAS region.  
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid for Trade Case Story 16 (2017 ) 
 
3.1 Is Trade -Related Infrastructure linked to Services Development?  
3.8.  This section examines the linkages between infrastructure and services development, and 
provides insight into the service sectors prioritized in national and regional development polici es 
and strategies. Infrastructural development is widely considered to be an enabling factor for 
services competitiveness and trade. Infrastructural improvements in transport, energy, and 
communications not only develop the provision of these services; the y can also attract investment 
and expand other services sectors (e.g. transport services and tourism or distribution services).  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  3.9.  Infrastructural development is critical in increasing the rural poor’s access to basic services 
and income. CS 49 describes how  a Mauritanian small and medium -sized enterprise ( SME) 
operates 22 solar energy s tations enabling more than 234, 000 mobile phone charges per year. 
They also provide solar powered irrigation pumps in rural areas resul ting in the availability of 
200 litres o f water per day. The solar panels are allowing agricultural and livestock farming to 
thrive, and in addition, the SME helps people to generate an income by providing training and 
employment opportunities in the company. According to CS 49, the business pro vides public 
service delegation of water and electricity in partnership with state and local authorities, 
installation and maintenance of electro -mechanical works, and distribution of water and electricity 
equipment, based on renewable energy.  
3.10.   Responses to  the 2017 AfT Survey showed that 57 partner countries and five RECs have 
linked improvements in trade -related infrastructure to the development of services sectors in their 
national and regional development strategies. Figure 5 ranks the services sectors p rioritized by 
partner countries. From figure 5, tourism and travel services rank the highest, followed by 
transport, computer related, then financial services.  
Figure 5 . Services Sectors Prioritized for Development in Partner Countries  
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
3.11.   On the supply side, 25 donors link trade -related infrastructure to the development of related 
services. For donors, transport services ranks as being the highest prioritized services sector, 
followed by communication servi ces, and financial services. New Zealand stated that " some 
infrastructure developments to improve safety of air traffic will contribute to tourism growth ". 
Austria also added "access to sustainable and affordable energy services" was a priority.  
3.12.   France pr ovided a EUR 2 million grant to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Djibouti 
to finance the support project for Djibouti's international trade operations. The project 
implemented by the Agence Française pour le Developpement (AFD) supports a training c entre for 
port activities, and the planning of an integrated logistical information platform which, once it has 
been set up, will help all international trade operators to manage the flow of goods and various 
functions such as handling, transit and customs  clearance.  
3.13.   According to CS 80, significant growth in traffic volumes over the years has put a strain on 
Mombasa's existing port infrastructure. Despite efforts by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to 
expand capacity and improve efficiency in cargo handling,  the port still faces capacity constraints 
and service delivery challenges. To that end, TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) has worked with the  
Tourism and Travel  
Transport 
Computer and Related  
Financial 
Professional  
Construction and Related Engineering  
Educational  
Health -Related and Social  
Environmental 
Distr ibution  
Research and Development  
Communication 
Recreational, Cultural, and Sporting  
Other Business Services  
0 5 10    15    20    25    30    35     40 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  KPA on infrastructural renovation projects. A TMEA Survey showed that these projects had reduced 
truck turnaround at t he gate  from eight hours in April 2014 to four  hours in May  2016.  
3.2 Is the Development of Services Sectors linked to Industrial Capacity and 
Manufacturing?  
3.14.   This section provides insights from the 2017 AfT M&E exercise on the linkages between the 
developm ent of services sectors, on the one hand, and industrial capacity and manufacturing 
exports, on the other hand. Research on global value chains  (GVCs)  highlights the value of 
services input for the export of merchandise goods. In addition, the availability  of ICT 
infrastructure is also creating opportunities for services export diversification.  
3.15.   In their development programmes, donors have linked growth in services capacity and trade 
to industrial capac ity and manufacturing exports. Twenty -one donors have m ade this link with 
some respondents such as th e World Bank Group (WBG) adding that services are embodied in all 
goods, so the WBG focuses on the enabling services environment in countries seeking to build 
competitiveness in manufacturing and partic ipation in GVCs . The EBRD also noted that almost all 
services sectors are linked to growth in industrial capacity and manufacturing, depending in part 
on the economy’s structure and nature of development. In that regard, EBRD regularly 
incorporates links to servic es sectors such as professional, computer and related, research and 
development, communication, distribution, education, environmental, financial, transport, and 
other business services, in the context of specific financing projects.  
3.16.   Since 2010, t he Swedi sh Government has engaged with TRALAC, a capacity -building 
organization to develop trade -related capacity in Africa. Through numerous policy relevant studies 
and workshops, TRALAC has directed resources towards capacity development and 
thought -leadership o n trade in services. Key components include the production of high -quality 
and timely research, interactions with many of the key stakeholders, and presentation of the data 
in a non -technical manner. In addition, the respondent notes that there is a clear demand for 
further work which is likely to contribute to an integration of African Continental Free Trade Area 
(CFTA) provisions on services with strategies of investment generation, industrial development, 
and regional integration.  
3.17.   Fifty partner countries  have an NDS which links growth in services capacity and trade to 
growth in industrial capacity and manufacturing exports. The top five  services sectors recognized 
for growth in industrial capacity and manufacturing are transport, research and development,  
computer and related, professional, and financial services.  
3.18.   Regionally, six  RECs have linked services growth to industrial capacity and manufacturing 
exports. Similar to partner countries, for RECs, transport services are also the main contributor to 
industrial capacity and manufacturing.  
4  FAST EST GROWING SERVICES SEC TORS, CONSTRAINTS, A ND ACTIONS TO IMPROV E 
THE INVESTMENT CLIMA TE  
4.1 Which services sectors are growing the fastest and what are the constraints 
affecting growth in services capacity and trad e? 
4.1.  The development of services can bring economic benefits in developing countries. In its 
response to the partner country questionnaire, Pakistan indicated that services  contribute to 
56-58% of the country’s GDP. This section will provide information on t he services sectors which 
are growing fastest in partner countries and will describe some of the constraints holding back the 
development of services. Section 4.2 which follows, aims to provide examples of the actions to 
improve the investment climate in p artner countries.  
4.2.  According to the 2017 AfT Survey (see figure 6), the highest growing services sectors in 
partner countries are computer and related services (identified by 32 partner countries), financial 
services, and tourism and travel related service s (identified by 31 countries). Interestingly, while 
the majority of developing countries have identified computer and related services as one of the 
fastest growing services sector, research and development (a sector which can drive technological 
innovati on) ranks lowest among the growth sectors identified.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  Figure 6 . Fastest Growing Services Sectors in Partner Countries  
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Research and DevelopmentEnvironmentalOther Business ServicesHealth-Related and SocialRecreational, Cultural and SportingDistribution ServicesProfessionalEducationalTransportCommunicationConstruction and Related EngineeringFinancialTourism and TravelComputer and Related
Number of partner country responses
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
4.3.  Notwithstanding the strong response on services growth f rom partner countries, there are 
still issues which can constrain growth in national services capacity and trade. Figure 7 below 
shows the top five constraints based on partner country responses, and figure 8 shows  the top 
five constraints from the perspec tive of donor countries.  
4.4.  The two figures below show that access to finance is the hi ghest ranked constraints f rom the 
perspective of  both partner and donor countries . Low levels of domestic investment also rank in 
the top five constraints for both partner  and donor countries. There are no  other convergences in 
the top five  constraints identified between partner and donor countries. Partner countries are 
mainly focused on the financing, regulatory and quality related constraints to services growth, 
while do nors have mainly targeted finance, education and  ICT infrastructure as constraints. Also 
important to note from the figures below is that 35 partner countries have noted that the absence 
of a national services policy framework as one of the constraints to growth in services. Among 
these 35 countries, there are 14  LDCs.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  Figure 7 . Partner Countries         Figure 8 . Donor Countries  
 
Source : Figures 7 and 8 - OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)   
 
4.5.  In their resp onses to the donor questionnaire, 11 donors stated that they are supporting 
LDCs utilize services waiver opportunities, 9 of which are providing support through broader AfT 
programmes. The W BG for example has undertaken analysis on the opportunities presen ted by the 
waiver, and engaged at the WTO on this topic. The W BG works on services in a number of LDCs 
although the  Bank notes that specific country -level activities designed to maximize the impact of 
preferences o ffered have not been requested.  
4.2 What a ctions have been taken to improve the investment climate?  
4.6.  Responses to the partner country questionnaire suggest that developing countries have been 
making efforts to i mprove the investment climate. Sixty -two partner countries stated that their  
NDS include s actions to improve the investment climate including updating investment policies, 
regulations or strategies (57 of the 63 partner country responses), reducing risks for investors (in 
43 partner countries), training officials (i n 39 partner countries), an d 41 partner countries have 
included the establishment an investment promotion agency in their NDS. Additional examples on 
actions to improve the investment climate in partne r countries are illustrated in B ox 2 below.  
Box 2 . Other actions foreseen to impro ve the investment climate in partner countries  
Benin:  Ratification of the Public -Private Partnership Act.  
 
Burkina Faso:  Reform of an authority responsible for investment, of an investment promotion 
body and / or an investment development agency already in  place. 
 
Cameroon:  The Investment Promotion Agency was set up as part of the implementation of the 
Growth & Employment Strategic Document. The same applies to the adoption of investment 
incentives in Cameroon.  
 
Colombia:  At this moment, diagnoses are bein g made with the World Bank and Fedesarrollo to 
determine the next steps in this discipline.  
 
Costa Rica:  The Law protecting minority investors was adopted in August 2016 . 
44
40
353432
Access to finance
Low levels of domestic investment
Absence of national services policy framework
Low levels of FDI
Quality of services offeredWT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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Congo DR:  By merging the Business and Investment Climate Steering Committee and the 
National Agency for the Promotion of Investments . 
 
Côte d'Ivoire:  New investment code; Implementation of Single Window to Foreign Trade . 
 
Gabon:  The investment charter decree establishing the ANPI (Agence Nationale de Promotion des 
Investissements) . 
 
The G ambia:  The Gambia continues to improve good governance to have a conducive 
environment . 
 
Mauritius:  Vision 2030 and Budget 2016 -2017 has removed  various barriers to investments and  
some of them are: introduction  of an e -licensing platform, the investment P romotion Act will be 
amended to further facilitate business in Mauritius, the Non -Citizens (Property Restriction ) Act will 
soon be amended, the  Economic diplomacy will be reviewed so as to open new opportunities for 
Mauritius businesses .  
 
Myanmar:  Myanmar  Investment Law, drawn up in line with the International commitments and 
agreements, has been enacted on 18 October 2016 by Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No. 40/2016. Its 
rules are under preparation. The new law will be practicing on 1st April 2017. It has upload ed with 
Myanmar Language and its unofficial English translation on www.dica.gov.mm . Myanmar Company 
Act (1914) is now also being modernized to align with international practices to create a clear, 
consistent and stabl e framework for company affairs, to clarify the law and procedures to provide 
certainty for companies and the registrar, the Director of Investment and Company Administration 
(DICA) in Myanmar, to increase flexibility for managing companies, to improve cor porate 
governance and transparency and transparency and accountability for companies and to assist 
SMEs by lowering compliance burden. It will be promulgated in early 2017. The draft law has been 
uploaded on www.dica.g ov.mm . The Ministry of Pla nning and Finance issued the 12 -point 
Economic Policy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on 29th July 2016 and the investment 
policy that supports the implementation of the Economic Policy, was published on 
15th November  2016.  
 
Saint Lucia:  Saint Lucia has an investment policy but it has not yet been fully implemented.  
 
Sri Lanka:  Establishment of "one stop shop" at Board of Investment for investment proposals. 
National Committee appointed to improve "Doing Business Ranking ". 
 
Senegal:  These various measures are part of the implementation of the Business Climate and 
Competitiveness Improvement Programme.  
 
Tonga:  Developing a trade policy framework that will address investment issues in a coherent and 
comprehensive manner. By  developing a credible mechanism for public -private sector 
consultations on ways of enhancing competitiveness of the environment climate and general 
business environment.  
 
Yemen:  Yemen has a separate investment authority and the Investment law of Yemen has  been 
amended to comply with WTO regulations and to facilitate foreign investments. The investment 
law reduces risks to investors by providing land in the Free Zones and Industrial Zones which may 
arise as a result of land disputes. In addition there are c ommercial courts that litigation takes 
much less time than normal court and operate according to a Commercial Law.  
 
Zambia:  Investment Promotion and Facilitation through Zambia Development Agency . 
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
4.7.  The m ajority of donors (34) have AfT programmes which include actions towards improving 
the investment climate in partner countries. As shown in figure 9, most donors (28) have referred 
to training of officials and providing assistance to update investment poli cies followed by actions to 
reduce risk for investors (19) and upgrading economic infrastructure to attract FDI (14). 
Furthermore, some donors such as Portugal have provided information on bilateral programmes WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  aimed at improving the investment climate in i n partner countries, examples are provided in 
Box 3 below.  
Figure 9 . Actions Foreseen by Donors to Improve  the Investment Climate in Partner 
Countries  
28
28191413
By providing assistance to update investment policy, regulations and/or strategy
By training officials
By reducing risk for investors
By upgrading economic infrastructure to attract foreign direct investment (in the production
sector)
By supporting establishment of an investment authority, promotion or development agency
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
Box 3 . Some of Portugal' s Actions to Improve the Investment Climate  
Examples of projects financed by the Portuguese Co -operation:  
 
 Technical cooperation on public sector financial management (East -Timor)  
 
 Commission for the Cambial Cooperation Agreement between Portugal and Cape 
Verde/Macro -economic Monitoring Unit  
 
 Economic Cooperation Agreement with São Tomé e t Príncipe  
 
 Technical cooperation in public finances (Mozambique)  
 
 Cluster of Portuguese Cooperation (East -Timor)  
 
 NGO Agha Khan -Program for rural development of Cape Delga do Coast (Mozambique)  
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
4.8.  In addition, six  RECs have regional development strategies which include actions to improve 
the in vestment climate. For example, two  RECs have established regional investment autho rities, 
notably COMESA, which has a regional investment agency, and CARICOM, which has a Caribbean 
Investment Promotion Agency. Over the past five years, six  RECs have taken actions towards 
investment climate reforms.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  4.9.  In its questionnaire response, TradeM ark East Africa (TMEA) noted its support to the Kenya 
Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA – an apex membership organization for private sector in Kenya) to 
develop its National Investment Master Plan. ECOWAS referred to the West African 
Competitiveness programm e which improved the investment climate in West Africa project, 
implemented in coll aboration with W BG and funding from the EU. CARICOM mentioned the 
establishment of an Investment Code. Finally, the Walvis Bay Ndola –Lubumbashi Development 
Corridor has impr oved trade facilitation between Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of 
the Congo with support f rom the AfDB . 
4.10.   Partner countries have also been taking actions to improve the in vestment climate over the 
past five  years. These include updating investme nt policy or regulations, training officials, 
embedding investment policy in overall development strategy, focusing on investment policy and 
implementation and enforcement, and focusing on public governance and institutions. 
Figure  10 provides an illustrat ion by response ranking.  
Figure 10 . Actions Taken by Partner Countries to Improve the Investment Climate over 
the past 5 years  
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50Reforming an existing investment authority, investment
promotion agency (IPA) and/or investment…Establishing an investment authority, investment
promotion agency (IPA) and/or investment…Signing investment agreements focusing on
investor/investment treatment and protectionReviewing tax policySigning investment agreements focused on investment
promotion and facilitationSigning a bilateral investment treaty(ies) or other
investment agreementsFocusing on investment policy implementation and
enforcementFocusing on public governance and institutionsEmbedding investment policy in overall development
strategyTraining officialsFacilitating entry and operations of foreign investorsUpdating investment policy, regulations and/or strategy
Number of partner country responses
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
4.11.   Most partner countries (49) have stated that th eir development partners are supporting 
investment climate reforms. As shown in table 2, UNCTAD is reviewing investment policies in The 
Gambia, the World Bank is working with the Congo on a project to improve the investment 
climate, and the International F inance Corporation is working with Dominica on business 
registration reform.   
4.12.   In CS 100, the World Bank stated that Myanmar was well paced to attract investment but 
was underperforming due to excessive and outmoded regulations. In 2016, Myanmar’s national  
legislature passed an investment reform law, culminating a three -year WBG effort to accelerate 
economic reform and increase investment and trade. The goal of this project was to assist 
Myanmar in attracting sustainable private sector investment and genera te savings for the private 
sector through streamlined administrative procedures including regulatory processes, tax laws and 
investment approval requirements.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  4.13.   Donors have also taken actions to support national or regional initiatives to improve the 
invest ment climate in partner countries. There are some differences in the initiatives taken by 
partner countries and donors. The majority of donors for instance have been providing support by 
training officials (31 donors), focusing on public governance and ins titutions (28 donors), and 
updating investment policy, regulations or strategy (20 donors). Table 2 provides some examples 
of support to improve the investment climate cited by developing countries in their questionnaire 
responses.  
Table 2 . Examples of In vestment Climate Support  
 
Congo DR and DFID  Implementation of OHADA (Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en 
Afrique du Droit des Affaires) and flexible facility for the reform of 
the business climate.  
Congo and the World Bank  World Bank project on the di versification of the economy and 
another World Bank project on the improvement of the business 
climate.  
Dominica and the IFC  Business Registration Reform project in order to facilitate 
e-registration of businesses. This was done in conjunction with the 
IFC. Further details can be found in the following website: 
www.cipo.org  
The Gambia and UNCTAD  UNCTAD is currently reviewing Investment Policy of The Gambia 
and it is in its final stage.  
Namibia and Singapore 
Cooperation Enterprise  One-Stop-Shop Project  implementation in partnership and with 
technical assistance from Singapore Cooperation Enterprise.  
Mali and UNCTAD  E-regulation project led by UNCTAD  
Saint Lucia and Compete 
Caribbean  Through assistance from Compete Caribbean, Saint Lucia was able 
to establish a dedicated commercial court. This was aimed at 
speeding up dispute resolutions and enforcing contracts.  
Samoa and World Bank  Private Sector Support Facility Scheme  - Small Business Enterprise 
Center   Samoa Agriculture Competitiveness Enhancemen t Project - 
Samoa Agribusiness Project  
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
4.14.   Among the South -South respondents, Indonesia’s AfT programmes include the provision of 
assistance to update investment policy, regulations, and strategies, the red uction of risk for 
investors as well as the training of officials. The country has also bee n taking actions over the past 
five years, by focusing on public governance and institutions, reforming an investment authority 
and training officials.  
5  SERVICES INV ESTMENT PRIORITIES, DEVELOPMENTAL IMPACT , AND FINANCING  
5.1 Services investment  
5.1.  Developing countries and LDCs are seeking to attract investment in various services sectors. 
The development of services capacity and trade can contribute to the achievement of  the 
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in particular women’s economic empowerment. 
Responses to the 2017 AfT M&E exercise show that 60 partner countries have included investment 
in services sectors in their NDS. As illustrated in figure 12, tour ism and travel -related services rank 
as the most prioritized services sector for investment according to partner country responses, 
followed by computer and related services, and financial services. RECs have also targeted specific 
services sectors in thei r development strategies, notably transport services.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  5.2.  Both partners and donors strongly believe that the development of services capacity can 
contribute to women’s economic empowerment. Fifty-eight partner countries state that 
development in services capa city and trade can contribute to women’s economic empowerment, 
while 38 donors believe that the development of services trade is a contributor to women’s 
economic empowerment. For donors, the top five services contributors to women’s economic 
empowerment a re health and social services, education services, business and professional 
services. For partner countries, the top five services sectors which can contribute to women’s 
economic empowerment are tourism and travel -related, financial services, educational  services, 
professiona l services, and health -related and social services.  
5.3.  All seven  RECs answered that services capacity and trade can contribute to women’s 
economic empowerment. The top five services sectors identified in that regard were tourism, 
profes sional and health -related and social services. Amon g the South -South respondents, two  
respondents noted  that the development of health -related and social services can contribute to 
women’s economic empowerment.  
Figure 11 . Services Sectors prioritized for Investment by Partner Countries  
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35All services sectorsDISTRIBUTIONENVIRONMENTALHEALTH RELATED AND SOCIALOTHER BUSINESSEDUCATIONALRECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTINGRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTPROFESSIONALCOMMUNICATIONCONSTRUCTION AND RELATED ENGINEERINGTRANSPORTFINANCIALCOMPUTER AND RELATEDTOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED
Number of partner country responses
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
5.4.  In Cameroon's response to the partner country questionnaire, the respondent added that all 
services can help women earn money and thus become s elf-sufficient. In Yemen, women are 
encouraged to work in trade and other sectors, however they are constrained by insufficient 
services capacity, education, and training, which according to the respondent are essential 
components in developing any service s capacity. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 
the respondent added that trade and particularly cross -border trade various services (including 
agriculture, hunting and fishing, forestry, construction, distribution, education) promote the 
empowe rment of women and play a major role in the development of the country.  
5.5.  Mobile communication technologies in particular can positively affect the development of 
women’s services capacity and trade. In CS 15, the AfDB notes that in some West African WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  countr ies, the volume of mobile payments is high, and the largest recipients of mobile money 
remittances are often low -income females without formal bank accounts (CS 15).  
5.6.  In Bangladesh, the move to electronic procurement promises benefits to the national 
gover nment and savings for taxpayers. It could also lead to increased transparency and 
accountability in international investments made in the country. In Bangladesh, g overnment 
procurement items fall into one of three categories: goods, services, or infrastruc ture projects, and 
research by the Copenhagen Consensus finds that each taka spent to expand e -government 
procurement would yield at least 663 takas in benefits (CS 89).  
5.7.  Respondents to the 2017 Af T M&E Exercise answered that the development of services 
capacity and trade can contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. 
More specifically, 60 partner countries believe that services trade can contribute to the 
achievement of the SDGs, notably SDG  3 (good health and well -being), SDG  4 (quality education), 
and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 (industry innovation and 
infrastructure). Figure 1 2 below provides an illustration based on partner country responses.  
Figure 12 . Which SDGs can services trade help to achieve?  
0 10 20 30 40 50 6014. Life below water15. Life on land11. Sustainable cities and communities13. Climate action12. Responsible consumption and production16. Peace, justice and strong institutions2. Zero hunger6. Clean water and sanitation17. Partnership for the goals7. Affordable and clean energy1. No poverty5. Gender equality10. Reduce inequalities8. Decent work and economic growth3. Good health and well-being9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure4. Quality education
Number of Partner Country Selections
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017)  
 
5.8.  Case sto ries provided examples of Af T initiatives and investments in infrastructure and 
services with developmental impact. CS 118 for example describes how the Asian Developm ent 
Bank (A sDB) collaborated with private investors to launch the first private bank in post -crisis 
Afghanistan. In addition, A sDB partnered with the German Federal Ministry for Economic 
Cooperation and the German Investment Corporation, providing loan gua rantees for the many 
small businesses that would not otherwise qualify to borrow. The Afghanistan International Bank is 
now the largest and most profitable bank in the country (CS 118).  
5.9.  CS 97 describes a joint financing initiative in the Pacific Regional Connectivity Program 
involving the A sDB, the Government of Tonga, Tonga Cable, and the WBG supported the 
development of an 827  km submarine fibre -optic cable system linking Tonga to Fiji via the main 
Transpacific link between Australia and the US. CS 97 ex plains how high -speed internet 
connectivity has improved the lives of Tongans and improves their access to services such as WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  health, educ ation. The availability of high -speed internet has also increased opportunities in 
international trade, particularly in tourism and business outsourcing.  
5.2 Public -Private Financing Mechanisms  
5.10.   The channelling of Official Development A ssistance  (ODA) , public -private or other forms of 
blended financing initiatives could be used to address the gaps in financing infrastructur al 
development. Paragraph 48 of the A AAA of the Third International Conference on Financing for 
Development specifically refers to the key roles that public and private investments have to play in 
infrastructure financing, notably through public -private pa rtnerships.2 With the spread of digital 
connectivity, one challenge facing developing countries and LDCs is how to connect people, both 
quickly and affordably, and as previously demonstrated in figure 7, some of the main concerns of 
partner countries are r elated to access to finance, both domestic and FDI.  
5.11.   ODA disbursements to LDCs for transport and storage increased from US $1.8 billion in 2006 
to US$2.9 billion in 2015 (see figure 1 3). A sectoral analysis from the OECD Query Wizard for 
International Devel opment Statistics (QWIDS) database shows that there is less funding in the 
energy sector than in the transport and storage sector. In the energy sector, ODA funding 
increased from US $524 million in 2006 to US $2.8 billion in 2015. Figure 13 shows the ODA 
disbursements in transport/storage and energy from 2006 to 2015. Furthermore, ODA 
disbursements in communications are significantly lower than for energy and transport/storage. In 
2006, ODA disbursements i n communications amounted to US$ 111 million and incre ased to 
US$185 million in 2015.  
5.12.   Private investments in transport, energy and ICT infrastructure amounted to US $1.3 billion, 
US$4.2 billion, and US$11 billion respectively in low -income countries from 2010 to 2015.3 In 
Sub-Saharan countries, the ICT sector  held the largest share of private participation in investment 
(58%) between 2010 and 2015. Private investment and ODA financing both focus on 
infrastructural connectivity and technical assistance. These findings suggest that both the public 
and private se ctors are playing important roles in the financing of projects to improve services 
infrastructure, capacity and trade.  
Figure 13 . ODA Disbursements in Transport and Energy to LDCs, 2006 -2015  
0500100015002000250030003500
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015USD Million 
Transport and Storage Energy Generation and Supply
 
Source : OECD Query Wizard for Inter national Development Statistics (QWIDS)  
                                                
2 See: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/wp -content/uploads/2015/08/AAAA_Outcome.pdf   
3 Source: World Bank Private Participation in Infrastructure Datab ase. WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  5.13.   In addition to infrastructural development, in its CS (CS 16), the AfDB highlighted the 
importance of regulatory "backbones" in facilitating the widespread use of advanced 
communication technologies. The respondent noted for example, the need for policy and 
regulatory intervention that abolish exclusivity on market entry, reduce license fees and simplify 
licensing procedures as well as those promoting open, transparent and non -discriminatory access 
to the networks ar e the foundation for improved national and regional broadband networks.  
6  CONCLUSIONS  
6.1.  The development of infrastructure is integral to the operation of many services markets such 
as transport, logistics, ICT and internet services , etc. Building and updating  trade-related 
infrastructure for inclusive and sustainable development, and the development of related services 
markets, are in line with the objectives of the A id-for-Trade Initiative, the 2015 A AAA, and the 
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  
6.2.  Both developing country and donor respondents place importance on the development of 
trade -related infrastructure for development and in increasing the economic potential of 
developing countries. Most partner countries have prioritized transport infrastructure  in their 
national development strategies, while most donors have integrated energy infrastructure in their 
dialogues with partner countries. The development of transport and communications infrastructure 
in particular can bring benefits to the connectivit y of landlocked developing countries.   
6.3.  Partner countries have also linked growth in services capacity and trade to growth in 
industrial capacity and manufacturing exports in their national de velopment strategies. The top 
five services sectors cited by dev eloping country respondents which can contribute to growth in 
industrial capacity and manufacturing are transport, research and development, computer and 
related, professional, and financial services. Donors and RECs have also linked services growth to 
industrial capacity and manufacturing exports. For RECs, transport services are the main 
contributor to industrial capacity and manufacturing.  
6.4.  The 2017 A fT M&E survey highlights that there have been regulatory actions taken by 
developing countries to improve the investment climate, frequently with the support of 
development partners. Over the past five years, actions have been taken notably with respect  to 
the updating of investment policies and facilitating the entry of investors. Several collaborative 
effort s have also taken place between donors and partners on improving the investment climate in 
partner countries, including the training of officials and the review of investment strategies or 
policies.  
6.5.  Respondents strongly believe the development of services  capacity and trade can contribute 
to women's economic empowerm ent and the development of the SDGs. Some of the services 
sectors which can contribute to women's economic empowerment are tourism and travel -related 
services, health and social services, educa tion services, business and professional services. In 
addition, partner countries believe that services trade can contribute to the achievement of the 
SDGs notably SDG 4 (quality education),  SDG 9 (industry innovation and infrastructure), 
SDG 3 (good healt h and well -being), and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth).  
6.6.  The development of services capacity and trade can bring economic benefits in developing 
countries and LDCs yet they face constraints related to access to finance, both domestic and FDI. 
The c hannelling of ODA, public -private or other forms of blended financing initiatives could be used 
to address the gaps in financing infrastructural development. The AAAA  specifically refers to the 
key roles that public and private investments have to play in infrastructure financing , notably 
through public -private partnerships.  
 
_______________  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  ANNEX 1  
Respondents to the Self -Assessment Questionnaire  
Partner Country Respondents (6 3) 
Africa  Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Central Afri can 
Republic; Chad; Congo;  Comoros; Côte d'Ivoire;  Democratic Republic of 
the Congo;  Gabon; The Gambia; Guinea; Guinee -Bissau; Lesotho; 
Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritius; Namibia; Niger; Rwanda; Senegal; 
Sierra Leone; Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe  
 
Arab and Middle East  
 Yemen  
Asia and Pacific  
 Bangladesh; Indonesia; Lao PDR; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan;  
Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Samoa; Sri Lanka; Tonga; Viet Nam  
 
Latin America and the 
Caribbean  Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Belize; Colom bia; Costa Rica; 
Dominica; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; Grenada; Guatemala; 
Honduras; Mexico; Paraguay; Peru; S aint Lucia; Saint Kitts and Nevis; 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Uruguay  
 
Regional Economic Community/Transport Corridor respo ndents (7)  
REC/TCs  CARICOM; COMESA; ECOWAS; OECS; SIECA; TradeMark East  Africa; 
Walvis Bay Corridor Group  
 
Donor respondents (3 8) 
Bilateral donor  Australia; Austria; Belgium; Canada; Czech Republ ic; Denmark; 
European Union ; Finland; France; Germany; Ice land; Ireland; Japan; 
Korea, Republic of ; Kuwait, the State of ; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; 
Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Portugal; Slovak Republic; Spain; 
Sweden; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; United Kingdom; United States  
 
IGOs AfDB; EBRD; IaDB; I sDB; ITC; UNDP; UNECA; UNECE; World Bank 
Group  
 
South -South Partner respondents (3)  
South -South  Brazil; Chile; Indonesia  
 
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  ANNEX 2  
Respondents Submitting Case Stories  
#  
SUBMITTED BY   
CASE STORY TITL E 
1 International Trade Centre  Moroccan businesses boost exports of processed food, seafood and 
leather goods  
2 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Affordability Report 2015/16  
3 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Affordable internet in Ghana: the status quo and the path ahead  
4 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Affordable Internet in the Dominican Republic  
5 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Delivering affordable internet in Myanmar  
6 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Nigeria: how Africa's largest economy is prioritising affordable internet  
7 Mace Promotions, Ltd.  Sustainability and Empowerment Initiative  
8 Samoa  Samoa Submarine Cable Project  
9 ITU Standardization enabling trust in cyberspace  
10 ITU ICTs for Sustaina ble Development  
11 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU Where does the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable 
Development believe broadband can drive significant progress in 
sustainable development?  
12 Chinese Taipei  Repair and Upgra de of Bonriki International Airport (Kiribati)  
13 Chinese Taipei  Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project 
(Belize)  
14 Chinese Taipei  Project for strengthening farmers' organizations and improving fruit 
and vegetable production techn ology in Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  
15 African Development Bank  Impact of mobile payments and banking on the unbanked in African 
countries  
16 African Development Bank  Connect Africa Initiative  
17 1Point Commerce  Global commerce made easy, simple, and almost local for buyers to 
buy better and sellers to sell more; enable businesses to expand into 
new markets at minimal costs and risk  
18 Intel Corporation  Intel® She Will Connect  
19 Intel Corporation  Connection equals opportunity  
20 The Internet S ociety  Promoting Content in Africa  
21 Alibaba Group  About the "Rural Taobao" Initiative  
22 Alibaba Group  The life of Taobao couriers  
23 Alibaba Group  E-commerce in rural China  
24 Indonesia  Capacity Building Programme on Quarantine Inspection and 
Agricultural Trade -Related Supply Side Capacity  
25 GSMA  1. Telenor's mobile internet training projects in India: raising 
awareness of the benefits of getting online 2. Unlocking Rural 
Coverage: Enablers for Commercially Sustainable Mobile Network 
Expansion 3.  GSMA Case Study: Bindez - Connecting the people of 
Myanmar with information and content in their own language  
26 CUTS International  Promoting Regional Connectivity through BBIN MVA: Role of TIR 
Convention  
27 eBay with ITC  E-commerce development and effo rts to bridge the "digital divide".  
28 eBay Crece Con eBay  
29 International Trade Centre  T4SD: Sustainability Map: Helping businesses chart a path to more 
sustainable trade  
30 International Trade Centre  NTM: Increase Transparency, Identify Challenges an d Reduce Trade 
Costs  
31 International Trade Centre  EuroMed TIFM: Facilitating trade and investment across the 
Mediterranean region  
32 International Trade Centre  Made in Morocco: case study on  linking SMEs to the world of 
e-commerce  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  #  
SUBMITTED BY   
CASE STORY TITL E 
33 Telenor Group  Disbursing girl stipends via Mobile Money in Pakistan  
34 360 Degrees International  Accelerating Women & Youth Economic Empowerment through Digital 
Marketing Skills for Entrepreneurs  
35 Global Affairs Canada  Integrated Border Management to Reduce Trade Costs in East Africa  
36 Yemen  Yemen fish exports access European market  
37 TFO Canada  Design Africa Programme: Market Access, Export Competitiveness and 
Digital Bridge for Made in Africa Artisans Products to Canadian and 
International Buyers  
38 Myanmar  Minist ry of Commerce, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, handed 
over the Ratification for the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)  
39 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU More than half the world is still offline, what is the main reason...?  
40 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU If we want to connect the next 1.5 billion people, where should we be 
focusing?  
41 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU The State of Broadband Report 2016 - recommendations for p olicy 
makers & world leaders. Which are the most urgent?  
42 CCTV -News China  E-commerce boosts China's rural economy  
43 Alibaba Group  Alizila News: E -commerce in Rural China  
44 Telenor Group  Telenor's mobile internet training project in India: raising aw areness 
of the benefits from getting online  
45 Telenor Group  Project Prayaas  
46 Telenor Group  Project Sampark  
47 GSMA  Unlocking Rural Coverage: Enablers for Commercially Sustainable 
Mobile Network Expansion  
48 GSMA  GSMA Case Study: Bindez - Connecting the people of Myanmar with 
information and content in their own language  
49 Sally Walkerman  CDS: Water and electricity in Mauritania  
50 Sally Walkerman  ACEP Cameroun - Microfinance  
51 Qualcomm  "Taroworks Provides Social Enterprises with New Services for  Success"  
52 Malawi  Malawi Trade Portal  
53 Centre for Empowerment 
and Development, Nepal  Coffee Cooperatives Value Chain Model for Production, Income and 
Employment (PIE): A reflection from Nepal  
54 TradeMark East Africa  Trade Certificates at a Press of  a Button: Automation of the 
Application and Issuance of Certificates of Origin in Kenya by the 
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)  
55 Egypt  Trade Facilitation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and Sudan  
56 International Trade Centre  Leveraging the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement to boost intra -
regional trade in West Africa  
57 Philippines  Philippines Customs Modernization: The Way for Trade Facilitation  
58 Czech Republic  Improvement of the Situation and Regulatory Framework in Road  
Transport in Mongolia  
59 ECOWAS  Review of E -commerce Legislation Harmonization in the Economic 
Community of West African States  
60 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Instituting a National Committee on Trade Facilitation in Bhutan  
61 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Charb ahar Port - A new trade gateway for Afghanistan  
62 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Overcoming the challenges of implementing the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement in Nigeria  
63 Germany  IT strategy in Kosovo Supporting the export of IT services and 
software  
64 German y Advising Ukraine on Agricultural Trade Issues  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  #  
SUBMITTED BY   
CASE STORY TITL E 
65 Germany  Trade Facilitation Development Cooperation - Trade Facilitation along 
the Dakar -Bamako Corridor  
66 Germany  Trade Facilitation in German Development Cooperation  
67 Earth Divas  Empowering Women Th rough E -commerce  
68 STDF Safe Trade Solutions (2015) A film produced by the Standards and 
Trade Development Facility (STDF)  
69 Bangladesh  South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) initiative to 
establish a sustainable trade and transport facili tation monitoring 
mechanisms (TTFMM) in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal  
70 United Kingdom  G-Soko market system - Linking small holder farmers to grain buyers 
across East Africa.  
71 TradeMark East Africa  Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP)  
72 TradeMark East A frica Elimination of non -tariff barriers to trade in East Africa  
73 TradeMark East Africa  Trade Certificates at the Press of a Button  
74 Jumia  Changing traders' lives via eCommerce in Africa: Case of Cameroon  
75 Japan  Achieving Quality Infrastructure th rough the ICT of Japan  
76 EBRD  Rehabilitating railway infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 
EBRD's support  
77 EBRD  EBRD and EU prepare businesses for free trade area in Georgia, 
Moldova and Ukraine  
78 TradeMark East Africa  Contribution of stand ards harmonisation and certification towards 
reduction in the conformity assessment clearance time and cost of 
testing -the case of the EAC  
79 TradeMark East Africa  Uganda Revenue Authority customs business systems enhancement 
programme  
80 TradeMark East Africa  Mombasa Port Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement Project: 
Gate18/20 and Yard 5 projects.  
81 Sweden  Services Trade, Industrial Development and the African Continental 
Free Trade Area  
82 Spinna Circle Ltd  Changing lives through the adoption of  e-commerce and mobile 
technology as a platform for global connectivity and market access for 
women entrepreneurs and small businesses in fashion and textiles.  
83 Brazil  Technical assistance provided to African countries on trade facilitation.  
84 STDF Electronic Sanitary and Phytosanitary certification for faster and safer 
trade 
85 Trini Trolley  e-commerce in the Caribbean  
86 UNESCAP  Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross -border Paperless Trade 
in Asia and the Pacific: A New Tool for  
Enhancing Dig ital Connectivity  
87 Pakistan  Pakistan's digital economy: national perspectives on bridging the 
digital divide  
88 Amazon  How a small rural business in a developing country was empowered to 
effectively expand internationally through e -commerce with Amazon  
89 Copenhagen Consensus  Bangladesh Priorities Prioritizing Smart Solutions through Benefit -Cost 
Research  
90 World Bank Group  ShopSoko connects local Artisans to Global Markets  
91 World Bank Group  Kopo Kopo empowers small businesses to shift from cash t o digital 
payments  
92 World Bank Group  Maxcom Africa makes paying utility bills fast and convenient  
93 World Bank Group  Farmia connects local Farmers to Regional Markets  
94 Asian Development Bank  Microfinance in Indonesia: Bringing Banks into the Commun ity 
95 Sidley Austin  Pro Bono Legal Advice for Trade Facilitation  
96 Asian Development Bank  Instituting e -Government Procurement in Nepal  
97 Asian Development Bank  Tonga's high speed revolution  
98 UPS The U.S. -ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive SM Es 
99 World Bank Group  Economic Opportunities for Jordanians and Syrian Refugees 
Programme for Results  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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  #  
SUBMITTED BY   
CASE STORY TITL E 
100 World Bank Group  Myanmar Investment Policy Project  
101 World Bank Group  Using automated data exchange to improve sanitary registration and 
boost r egional trade in Central America  
102 World Bank Group  Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Regional Connectivity for shared prosperity  
103 World Bank Group  Gender in Agri -Value Chains, Kosovo, Moldova, Armenia  
104 World Bank Group  Senegal - Warehouse Receipts Fina ncing Reform Initiative  
105 Asian Development Bank  CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation: Partnerships for Prosperity  
106 Asian Development Bank  SASEC Trade Facilitation Programme  
107 Asian Development Bank  CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strate gy 2020  
108 Asian Development Bank  Digital Economy Study in Central and West Asia  
109 UNIDO  Breathing New Life into Armenia's Garment Industry  
110 Asian Development Bank  Instituting e -Government Procurement in Nepal  
111 Asian Development Bank  Integrate d Information Communication Technology Strategies for 
Competitive Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific  
112 UNIDO  Building confidence, compliance, and international recognition for a 
world -class cosmetic sector in Colombia – Safe+  
113 Asian Developmen t Bank  Developing Myanmar's Information and Communication Technology 
Sector Towards Inclusive Growth  
114 The Internet Society  Zero-Rating  
115 Asian Development Bank  The Development Dimension of e -Commerce in Asia: Opportunities 
and Challenges  
116 Asian Development Bank  Towards e -Development in Asia and the Pacific  
117 Asian Development Bank  Papua New Guinea Expansion of Microfinance Project  
118 Asian Development Bank  Banking on Business in Afghanistan  
119 Asian Development Bank  Indonesia: Improving Ac cess to Finance in Aceh and North Sumatra  
120 Asian Development Bank  Trade Facilitation in South Asia  
121 Asian Development Bank  The Greater Mekong Sub Region Transport and Trade Facilitation 
Action Programme  
122 UNESCAP  Enhancing Connectivity Through I mplementation of National Trade and 
Transport Facilitation Monitoring Mechanisms (TTFMMs) in South Asian 
Least Developed Countries  
123 Asian Development Bank  Going Digital with the Pacific: Lessons from Samoa's Online Firms  
124 Asian Development Bank  A snapshot of e -commerce in Central Asia  
125 Asian Development Bank  Strengthening Trade Facilitation in the Greater Mekong Sub Region 
through Partnerships with the Private Sector  
126 CBI Exporting to Europe through ecommerce the case of CBI's support to 
tropical flower SMEs in Colombia  
127 International Trade Centre  SheTrades Initiative  
128 Ghana (West Blue 
consulting)  Ghana National Single Window Programme  
129 HUB & SPOKES II 
OIF/MCEC  Case study on the facilitation of trade between Congo and its 
neighbo urs 
130 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges du Burundi (F02)  
131 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges aux Comores (F09)  
132 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Facilitation des échan ges en Guinée (F04)  
133 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Togo - Facilitation Des échanges: premier poste de guichet unique 
(F05)  
134 Enhanced Integrated 
Framework, RDC  Projet de renforcement des capacités productives et commerciales de 
la filière palmier à huile dans le bassin elaecole du Mayombe dans la 
province du Kongo centrale (F06)  
135 Senegal  Le Guichet unique "ORBUS" (F07)  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/73  
 
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CASE STORY TITL E 
136 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges de la République 
Démocratique du Togo (F08)  
137 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges de la République 
Démocratique du Congo  
138 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  L'état de préparation de la Côte d'Ivoire au commerce électronique 
(F10)  
139 SIECA  Integración Energética: La ex periencia de Centroamérica en el diseño 
e implementación del Mercado Eléctrico Regional  
140 SIECA  El Tránsito Internacional de Mercancías (TIM): logros y resultados en 
El Salvador  
141 Bangladesh  A2i and e -commerce  
142 Bangladesh  Access to information pr ogramme  
143 UNIDO  Strengthening the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) in Nigeria to 
increase the competitiveness of Nigeria's goods and services on the 
domestic, regional and global markets  
144 UNIDO  The promotion of agrofood quality labels in Tunisi a 
145 UNIDO  Promoting Connectivity: Easing the woes of clearance  
146 USAID  The US -ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment (US -ACTI) 
project launches live implementation of the  
ASEAN Single Window (ASW)  
147 USAID  Food Security - Mobile Money Accel erator Programme (MMAP)  
148 USAID  Women in Informal Cross Border Trade in Southern Africa  
149 USAID  A Trade Portal Improves Transparency for Imports and Exports in 
Myanmar  
150 USAID  Peru's progression to higher value technologies with Standards 
Alliance  support  
151 USAID  Removing Certificate of Origin Requirements to Facilitate Trade in 
Agricultural Products in West Africa  
152 Digital Divide  Digital Divide Data and Impact Sourcing  
153 Facebook  She means business: when women succeed, we all win!  
154 Facebook  Telecom Infra Project (TIP)  
155 Australia  Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Cambodia  
156 Australia  
 International Labour Organization Better Work Programme - Stage 3  
157 Australia  Australia -World Intellectual Property Organiz ation Funds in Trust (FiT) 
Programme  
158 Facebook  Facebook Express Wifi Empowering Entrepreneurs in Nigeria  
159 UNIDO  Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development for Shared 
Prosperity: Programmes for Country Partnership (received after 
closing of the exercise)  
160 Inter-American 
Development Bank  How to Reduce Trade Costs with Modest Investments - The Foreign 
Trade Single Window in Latin America and the  Caribbean (received 
after closing of the exercise)  
Source : OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
 
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