WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/COMTD/79 
20 November 2012 
 (12-6412) 
  
  
 
REPORT (2012) OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. This report covers the work of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) in 2012.  An 
overview is provided of the work of the CTD's Regular Session and Dedicated Session on Small 
Economies, the CTD's work on Aid for Trad e, and the work of the Sub-Committee on 
Least-Developed Countries.
1 
II. REGULAR SESSION 
2. The CTD in Regular Session held three formal meetings on 11 April (84th Session), 16 July 
(85th Session) and 19 November 2012 (86th Session).  The minutes of these meetings are contained in 
documents WT/COMTD/M/84, WT/COMTD/M/85 and WT/COMTD/M/862, respectively.  At the 
84th Session, Ambassador Mothae Anthony Maruping (L esotho) was elected to serve a second term as 
CTD Chairman. In the Chai rman's absence, the 84th Session and the 86th Session were chaired by 
Ambassador Elin Østebø Johansen (Norway). 
3. Members agreed to continue to invite a num ber of intergovernmental organizations on an 
ad hoc meeting-by-meeting basis.  A full list of in tergovernmental organizations with observer status 
in the Committee is contained in document WT/COM TD/W/22/Rev.6.  The CTD continues to have 
outstanding requests for observer status from the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Gulf Or ganization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), the 
Organisation internationale de  la Francophonie, the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), the 
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting C ountries (OAPEC) and the Groupe de la Banque 
Africaine de Développement.  The Chairman held consultations to take this issue forward but 
Members' positions remained unchanged. 
4. At the 84
th Session, the Secretariat presented the Database on Preferential Trade 
Arrangements (PTAs) to the Committee.  It was not ed that while a significant amount of information 
had been made available for the database by Memb ers implementing PTAs, there remained some gaps 
to be filled. The Members implementing PTAs were i nvited to continue to work with the Secretariat 
so that the database could be complete as soon as possible.  
                                                      
1 There were no meetings in 2 012 of the CTD's Dedicated Session on Regional Trade Agreements 
(RTAs) or the CTD's Dedicated Session  on Preferential Trade Arrangements (PTAs).  In all meetings of the 
Regular Session, however, the Chair provided updates to  the Committee on the notified RTAs and PTAs that are 
to be considered in Dedicated Sessions.  The Special Se ssion of the CTD, dealing with the issue of special and 
differential treatment, has its own reporting channel. 
2 To be issued. WT/COMTD/79 
Page 2  
 
  5. The principal areas addressed by the CTD in Regular Session during the period covered in 
this report included the following:   
A. Technical cooperation and training; 
B. Notifications regarding market access for developing and least-developed countries 
(LDCs); 
C. Reports of the Joint Advisory Group on the International Trade Centre 
UNCTAD/WTO; 
D. Trade and development - work in the Committee on the basis of the Chairman's 
concluding statement from the Eighth Ministerial Conference;  
E. Electronic commerce; 
F. Hong Kong Decision on duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access for LDCs. 
 
A. 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND TRAINING  
6. At the 85th Session, the Committee took note of the Annual Report on Technical Assistance 
and Training, 1 January to 31 December 2011 (WT/COMTD/W/186), and of the Technical 
Cooperation Audit Report for 2011 (WT/COMTD/W/187).  In introducing the reports, the Secretariat 
provided an overview of the WTO's technical assist ance activities in 2011, as well as of some of the 
challenges being faced in implementing activities in li ght of the difficult financial situation.  Members 
were also informed of the implementation of results -based management (RBM) by the Secretariat.  At 
the 86th Session, the Secretariat provided an update on the status of the Doha Development Agenda 
Global Trust Fund (GTF).  Members were informed that  there had been a slight deterioration in the 
timeliness of contributions per quarter as compared to previous years, and that the number of 
countries contributing to the GTF had decreased in r ecent years.  While this would not impact on the 
implementation of planned activities for 2012, it had the potential to impact negatively on 2013 activities, if the trend continued.   
B. 
NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING MARKET  ACCESS FOR DEVELOPING AND LEAST -DEVELOPED 
COUNTRIES (LDCS ) 
7. In 2012, a notification under the Transparen cy Mechanism for PTAs concerning preferential 
tariff treatment for LDCs was made by Korea (W T/COMTD/N/12/Rev.1/Add.1).  Notifications under 
the Enabling Clause concerning Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes were made by the 
United States (WT/COMTD/N/1/Add.8) and Switzerland (WT/COMTD/N/7/Add.5).  
8. With regard to RTAs, a notification under the Enabling Clause was made concerning the 
entry into force for Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,  Indonesia, Lao PDR and the Philippines of the 
Agreement establishing the ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (WT/COMTD/N/35/Add.1).  A notification under the Enabling Clause was also  made concerning the accession of Rwanda and 
Burundi to the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Customs Union (WT/COMTD/N/14/Add.2).  
9. The RTA notifications concerning the Gulf Cooperation Council Customs Union, the 
ASEAN-Korea Agreement and the India-Korea Ag reement remained on the CTD's agenda during 
2012.  The communication from China, Egypt and I ndia titled "Systemic and specific issues arising 
out of the dual notification of the Gulf C ooperation Council Customs Union" (WT/COMTD/W/175) 
also remained on the agenda.  A number of interven tions were made on both su bstance and procedure. 
Divergent views were expressed on how to deal w ith the issues relating to the RTAs notified under 
both the Enabling Clause and GATT Article XXIV and their implications.  WT/COMTD/79 
 Page 3 
 
 
  C. REPORTS OF THE JOINT ADVISORY GROUP ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE 
UNCTAD /WTO 
10. The Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on the Inte rnational Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC) 
held its 45th Session on 30 June and 1 July 2011, and its 46th Session on 21 and 22 May 2012.  The 
reports of these meetings, contained resp ectively in documents ITC/AG/(XLV)/242 and 
ITC/AG(XLVI)/248, were presented to the CTD in 2012.  
11. Ambassador Hisham Badr (Egypt), the Chairman of the 45th Session of the JAG, presented 
the report of this meeting to the CTD at its 84th Session.  He said that the Group had broadly 
welcomed progress made in the development of an RBM approach to project development and 
delivery, as well as in the introduction of qua lity assurance mechanisms.  The Group had also 
commended the ITC on its technical assistance programmes.  Appreciation was expressed for the 
ITC's increased focus on delivery to  the most vulnerable countries.  The JAG had been informed that 
the ITC was striving to make four significant a nd innovative contributions to building more 
inclusiveness into the world trading system. The four contributions concerned access to trade and 
market information, to decision-making tools, to  markets and to income. The JAG had also been 
informed that the growth in the ITC's delivery in 2010 had been satisfactory and sustained with a 13% 
expansion compared to 2009.  The target of US $40 million had been exceeded and 55% of delivery 
had focused on the LDCs, landlocked developing co untries (LLDCs), small-island developing states 
and Sub-Saharan African countries.  
12. The report of the 46th Session of the JAG was presented by its Chairman, Ambassador 
Francisco Pírez Gordillo (Uruguay), at the CTD's 85th Session.  He said that the Group had endorsed 
the Strategic Plan for 2012-2015 and the new Strate gic Framework, with particular support for the 
ITC's commitment to move towards socio-economic impact measurement.  Efforts with regard to 
transparency and communication were acknowledged as integral parts of the ITC's contribution to 
better governance of the organization.  Support was expressed for the ITC's initiatives to promote regional integration and intraregional trade.  The strong emphasis on non-tariff measures (NTMs) and 
on developing trade intelligence for LDCs, LL DCs and Sub-Saharan African countries was 
appreciated.  Delegations expressed their wish to see the ITC further expand its activities in the field 
of the green economy - and more generally in the pr omotion of an inclusive and sustainable model of 
development, focusing on poverty reduction and th e empowerment of women and youth.  Discussion 
confirmed the strategic importance of large pr ogrammes for the sustainability of the ITC's 
impact-oriented strategy.   
13. The CTD took note of the JAG reports and fo rwarded them to the General Council for 
adoption.   
D. 
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT - WORK IN THE COMMITTEE ON THE BASIS OF THE CHAIRMAN 'S 
CONCLUDING STATEMENT FROM THE EIGHTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
14. At the Eighth Ministerial Conference (MC8), Ministers, inter alia , reaffirmed the link 
between trade and development and called on Memb ers to fully operationalize the mandate of the 
CTD as a focal point for development work.  The CTD was directed to report the results of its work 
under the MC8 mandate to Ministers at the Ninth Session. 
15. Accordingly, an item concerning the MC8 manda te was placed on the agenda of the CTD 
meetings in 2012.  The Chairman called on Memb ers to consider submitting written proposals for 
concrete work to be undertaken by the Committ ee in relation to the MC8 mandate.  At the 
85th Session, Members considered a proposal by Cuba and Ecuador (WT/COMTD/W/188 and 
WT/COMTD/W/188/Add.1) for an update to a Secret ariat document on the implementation of special 
and differential treatment provisions.  A non-pape r by the African Group, listing a number of WT/COMTD/79 
Page 4  
 
  proposed areas of work for the CTD,  was also introduced.  In view  of the commonalities between the 
proposal by Cuba and Ecuador and one of the proposals in the African Group non-paper, these 
Members were encouraged to work together.  At the 86
th Session, proposals by Australia, Chile, 
Colombia and Singapore (WT/COMTD/W/191), and by China, Cuba, Ecuador, India and the African 
Group (WT/COMTD/W/192), were considered.  A num ber of clarifications were sought on both 
proposals.  The Chair indicated that  the Committee would need to retu rn to the proposals, and in the 
meantime encouraged the co-sponsors to continue their consultations with other Members.     
E. ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  
16. The CTD's discussion on electronic commerce (e-commerce) in 2012 took place in the 
context of the 17 December 2011 Decision on th e Work Programme on E-Commerce (WT/L/843).  
At the 85th Session, the Committee considered a propo sal by Cuba and Ecuador concerning the 
proposed terms of reference for a works hop on "E-commerce, development and SMEs" 
(WT/COMTD/W/189).  When introducing the proposal , the proponents indicated that two issues had 
been identified for discussion during the works hop, namely the access and facilitation of access to 
e-commerce by SMEs, and the issue of e-commerce a nd development.  On the basis of the discussion 
that took place, the Chairman encouraged the propone nts to continue their co nsultations in order to 
further fine-tune their proposal.  Subsequently, in  September 2012, the Chairman informed Members 
by fax that further consultations had allowed an  understanding to emerge on the programme for the 
workshop, which would be held in April 2013.  At the 86th Session, the Committee formally agreed 
that the workshop would be held on 8 and 9 April 2013.  
F. HONG KONG DECISION ON DUTY -FREE AND QUOTA -FREE (DFQF)  MARKET ACCESS FOR LDC S 
17. The Decision taken at the Hong Kong Minister ial Conference on DFQF market access for 
LDCs remains a standing item on the CTD's agenda.  Information was shared and clarification was sought on the steps being taken by Members to provi de DFQF market access to LDCs' products.  The 
LDCs took the floor, calling for an expeditious an d faithful implementation of the Decision.   
III. DEDICATED SESSION ON SMALL ECONOMIES 
18. Pursuant to paragraph 35 of the Doha Minister ial Declaration, the General Council, at its 
meeting on 1 March 2002, took note of the framework  and procedures for the conduct of the Work 
Programme on Small Economies.  The CTD was inst ructed to oversee this programme of work in 
dedicated sessions.  At the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Work Programme on Small Economies and urged the adoption of specific 
measures that would facilitate the fuller integr ation of small, vulnerable economies into the 
multilateral trading system, without creating a sub-category of WTO Members.  At Ministerial 
Conferences held in 2009 and 2011, Ministers instructed the CTD to continue the work in dedicated 
session and to monitor progress of the small economies ' proposals in the negotiating groups and other 
bodies.  
19. In 2012 the CTD in Dedicated Session held formal meetings on the Work Programme on 
Small Economies on 6 July and 19 November.  The meetings were chaired respectively by 
Ambassador Mothae Anthony Maruping (Lesotho) and, in his absence, by Ambassador Elin Østebø Johansen (Norway).  The minutes of the meeti ngs are contained in document WT/COMTD/SE/M/23 
and WT/COMTD/SE/M/24.
3  At the meeting on 6 July, Members discussed the Decision taken by 
Ministers at MC8 concerning the Work Programme on Small Economies.  The Decision, circulated in document WT/L/844, instructs the Secretariat to provi de relevant information and factual analysis for 
discussion among Members in the CTD's Dedicated Se ssion in the areas identified in item "k" of 
                                                      
3 To be issued.  WT/COMTD/79 
 Page 5 
 
 
  paragraph 2 of the 2002 Work Programme (WT/L/447).  Ministers asked the Secretariat to also 
identify NTMs and their effects on small economi es.  Members discussed a Secretariat background 
paper on this subject circulated in document WT/COMTD/SE/W/26 and heard presentations on recent 
research conducted on NTMs by representatives from the ITC and UNCTAD.  At the 19 November 
meeting, Members took note of a proposal by Barb ados made on behalf of Small Economies that the 
CTD in Dedicated Session further examine NTMs and their impact on Small Economies. 
IV. AID FOR TRADE 
20. The CTD held four sessions on Aid for Trade in 2012, on 29 February, 14 May, 11 July and 
7 November.  The November meeting was exceptionally chaired by Ambassador Shree B.C. Servansing (Mauritius).  The other meeti ngs were chaired by Ambassador Mothae Anthony 
Maruping (Lesotho).  The minutes of the meetings are contained in documents 
WT/COMTD/AFT/M/23, WT/COMTD/AFT/M/24, WT/COMTD/AFT/M/25 and WT/COMTD/AFT/M/26
4, respectively.   
21. The format of each CTD Aid-for-Trade session followed the headings of the 2012-2013 
Aid-for-Trade Work Programme based on the overa rching theme of "deepening coherence".  The 
Work Programme headings include resource mob ilization (including implementation activities);  
mainstreaming;  regional integration;  the private sector;  and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).  The 
sessions provided Members, Observers and Observer Or ganizations the opportunity to discuss their 
Aid-for-Trade activities.  A background document pr epared by the Secretaria t was circulated in 
advance of the May, July and November sessions.    
22. Four dedicated thematic workshops were he ld under the auspices of the CTD in 2012 as 
follows:  Workshop on Aid for Trade and Sustai nable Development and Green Economy held on 
29 February, Aid for Trade and Trade Finance held on 15 May, Aid for Trade and Services held on 
11 July, and Aid for Trade and Intellectual Property held on 5 November.  
23. At the CTD's 23rd Session on Aid for Trade, the International Trade Finance Corporation 
(ITFC), Member of the Islamic Development Bank (I sDB), presented a draft Aid-for-Trade project for 
the Arab States.  Australia upda ted the Committee on its multilateral Aid-for-Trade related support, 
and India noted its commitment to South-Sout h cooperation and provided an overview of its 
trade-related capacity building activities.  The European Union (EU) provided information on three Aid-for-Trade related projects it was financing at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 
Development (OECD) on Aid-for-Trade M&E and also reported on two thematic reviews it was 
undertaking on trade-related assistance and private sector development.  Canada informed of a 
specific Aid-for-Trade Fund agreed with the Afri can Development Bank, and Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, 
and Turkey updated the Committee on their Aid-fo r-Trade related activitie s based on information 
reported in their Trade Policy Reviews.  Lesotho provided an update on decisions taken at the African Union (AU) Summit on boosting intra-African trad e.  The United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development (UNCTAD) presented an outline of  the provisional programme for UNCTAD XIII.  
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) provi ded information about a new regional Pacific Trade 
and Development Facility.  Senega l reported on a joint Senegal-ITC-Netherlands private sector 
project to bolster exports of mangoes to Eur ope and the ITC noted similar programmes being 
implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, South Afri ca and Uganda.  The United Nations Economic 
Commission for Africa (UNECA) and OECD presented their joint 2011 report entitled "Mutual Review of Development Effectiveness".  The OE CD also provided an overview of the Fourth 
High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness and on the mo st recent meeting of the joint OECD-DAC and 
Working Party of the Trade Committee on Aid for Trade.  The Secretariat provided a brief report on the Workshop on Aid for Trade and Sustainable Development and Green Economy. 
                                                      
4 To be issued. WT/COMTD/79 
Page 6  
 
  24. At the CTD's 24
th Session, Korea and Japan reported on the fifth meeting of the Regional 
Technical Group (RTG).  Pakistan announced that it had joined the Centra l Asia Regional Economic 
Cooperation forum, and China updated the Committ ee on its support to multilateral trade-related 
technical assistance.  The United Nations Econom ic Commission for Europe (UNECE) provided an 
update on the Aid-for-Trade Roadmap for the Unite d Nations Special Programme for the Economies 
of Central Asia (SPECA) Initiative.  Nepal, Tr inidad and Tobago, the Philippines, and Uruguay 
updated the Committee on their Aid-fo r-Trade related activities based on information reported in their 
Trade Policy Reviews.  Dominica, on behalf of th e Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, noted 
donors' contributions to the Inter-American Deve lopment Bank's Aid-for-Trade Trust Fund.  The 
World Bank announced plans to organize a private sect or development event and also informed of the 
forthcoming launch of its Logistics Performance I ndex.  OECD provided the Committee with details 
of the 2010 reporting on Aid-for-Trade flows, noti ng that commitments had reached US$45 billion.  
UNCTAD reported on its activities in support of Aid for Trade, and the United Nations Industrial 
Development Organization announced plans for a 2012 edition of its Trade Capacity Building 
Resource Guide.  The EU noted the imminent release of its 2012 Aid for Trade Monitoring Report.  
The Secretariat updated Members on plans for the next M&E exercise. 
25. At the CTD's 25th Session, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea updated the 
Committee on their Aid-for-Trade related activities based on information reported in their Trade 
Policy Reviews.  India reported on its South-S outh cooperation activities undertaken in the area of 
training and capacity building.  UNCTAD provided an update on its Aid-for-T rade related work and 
activities, and the African Development Bank repor ted on a joint AfDB-WTO event on Aid for Trade 
and Regional Integration.  UNECA provided an update on the UNECA-Africa Trade Policy Centre 
and the WTO, on behalf of the IsDB, reported on a recently-held IsDB seminar entitled "Aid for 
Trade:  Leading towards Poverty Alleviation".  Norway reported on a rece ntly-conducted independent 
evaluation of its Aid-for-Trade related support and the EU provided a preliminary overview of its 
"Accountability Report on Improving EU Support to Developing Countries in Mobilizing Financing 
for Development".  The ITC informed the Committee about its "Sourcing from Women Vendors 
Platform", and the World Bank provided an overview of  the third version of its  Logistics Performance 
Index.  The Secretariat updated the Committee on the Fourth Global Review's central theme of value 
chains and private sector development as well as plan s for the next M&E exercise.  The Secretariat 
also provided a brief summary of the OECD's Ma naging for Development Results work, and gave a 
brief report on the Workshop on Aid for Trade and Trade Finance. 
26. At the CTD's 26th Session, the Director-General outlined  plans for the Fourth Global Review 
of Aid for Trade, to be held on 8-10 July 2013 , and explained the central theme of "Connecting to 
Value Chains".  The Secretariat gave an update w ith regard to the components of the M&E exercise, 
focussing in particular on the self-assessment quest ionnaires and Aid-for-Trade  factsheets.  UNECA 
informed of a joint AU/UNECA led regional monito ring exercise being conducted to survey how Aid 
for Trade can support the AU Action Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade.  The EU provided further 
details on its "Accountability Report on Improving EU Support to Developing Countries in 
Mobilizing Financing for Developmen t", and Japan presented the main findings of an evaluation of its 
Aid-for-Trade Policies and Programmes.  Singa pore, Korea and Bangladesh updated the Committee 
on their Aid-for-Trade related activities based on info rmation reported in their Trade Policy Reviews.  
Updates were provided by Trinidad and Tobago, the I TFC, and PIFS, on the state of play with regard 
to, respectively, the Aid-for-Trade Strategy fo r the Caribbean, the Aid-for-Trade Project for 
Arab States, and the Aid-for-Trade Strategy for the Pacific.  UNECE reported on recent UNECE and 
UNESCAP efforts in relation to the SEPCA Initiativ e.  The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) 
Secretariat updated the Committee on its recent activiti es and the EIF Focal Point for Comoros shared 
Comoros' experience with regard to mainstreami ng and provided informati on on its "Vision 2015 and 
Aid for Trade".  The OECD reported on a recen tly-held meeting of the joint OECD-DAC and 
Working Party of the Trade Committee on Aid for Trade and on its other ongoing Aid-for-Trade related activities.  The ITC reported on the Oct ober meeting of the World Export Development Forum  WT/COMTD/79 
 Page 7 
 
 
  and gave a brief overview of the analysis of its publication "Africa's Trade Potential – Export 
Opportunities in Growth Markets".  The Secretar iat provided brief reports on the Workshops on Aid 
for Trade and Intellectual Property and the Workshop on Aid for Trade and Services.  
V. SUB-COMMITTEE ON LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
27. During the period under review, the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries (hereafter 
referred to as the Sub-Committee) held four formal  meetings on 20 January, 16 April, 28-29 June, and 
10 October 2012.  The minutes of the meetings ar e contained in documents WT/COMTD/LDC/M/64, 
WT/COMTD/LDC/M/65, WT/COMTD/LDC/M/66, WT/COMTD/LDC/M/67, respectively.5  All the 
meetings were chaired by Ambassa dor Steffen Smidt (Denmark), who was re-elected Chairman at the 
84th Session of the CTD on 11 April 2012.  The dele gation of Bangladesh spoke on behalf of the 
LDCs at the January meeting of the Sub-Committee.  In all other meetings in 2012, the delegation of 
Haiti acted as the LDC Coordinator. 
28. In 2012, the Sub-Committee mainly focused its work on streamlining the accession process 
for LDCs, following the decision on LDC accession taken by Ministers at MC8 (WT/L/846).  The Sub-Committee also took up subjects under the WT O Work Programme for the LDCs, namely:  
(i) market access for LDCs;  and (ii) trade-re lated technical assistance and capacity-building 
initiatives for LDCs.
6  In addition, work also started on the update of the WTO Work Programme for 
LDCs.   
(i) Accession of LDCs  
29. At its 64th Session, the Sub-Committee launched its wo rk to develop the recommendations to 
strengthen, streamline and operationalize the 2002 LD C accession guidelines, pursuant to the decision 
on accession taken by Ministers at MC8 (WT/L/846).  At that meeting, Members agreed to advance 
the work through informal consultations.  At the 65th Session of the Sub-Committee, the Chairman 
gave a status report on his consultations.  
30. At its 66th Session, the Sub-Committee agreed to submit its recommendations to the General 
Council, proposing a draft Decision on the accession of LDCs, in accordance with the mandate given 
to Members by the Ministers at MC8.  The Sub-Co mmittee also agreed that the proposed Decision by 
the General Council would become an Addendum to its Decision of 10 December 2002, entitled 
"Accession of Least-Developed Countries", co ntained in document WT/L/508.  Those 
recommendations were issued as WT/COMTD/LDC/21,  and were forwarded to the General Council 
on 6 July 2012.  The General Council adopted th at draft Decision on 25 July 2012, based on the 
understanding that it was without prejudice to the ri ghts and obligations of existing LDC Members, in 
line with the Decision in favour of LDCs contai ned in Annex F of the Hong Kong Ministerial 
Declaration.  Following adoption by the Gene ral Council, the Decision was circulated as 
WT/L/508/Add.1.  
31. As of October 2012, the following LDCs were at various stages of their accession process:  
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Et hiopia, Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, 
and Yemen.7  
                                                      
5 Document WT/COMTD/LDC/M/67 is to be issued. 
6 The WTO Work Programme for the LDCs is contained in WT/COMTD/LDC/11. 
7 The accession package of Lao PDR was adopted by  the General Council on 26 October 2012.  
Lao PDR will become a WTO Member 30 days after th e domestic ratification of the accession package. WT/COMTD/79 
Page 8  
 
  (ii) Market Access for LDCs 
32. At the 65
th Session, the Sub-Committee considered four notifications submitted by India 
(WT/COMTD/N/38), China (WT/COMTD/N/39 and WT/COMTD/N/39/Add.1/Rev.1), Chinese Taipei (WT/COMTD/N/40 and WT/COMTD/N/40/Corr.1) and Korea (WT/COMTD/N/12/Rev.1/Add.1).  The representative of Haiti, on behalf of the LDCs, expressed 
appreciation to these notifying Members for thei r initiatives to improve market access for LDC 
products.  A brief exchange of questions a nd answers took place on these notifications.   
33. At the 67
th Session, the Sub-Committee considered the Secretariat Note entitled "Market 
Access for Products and Services of Export Inter est to Least-Developed Countries", contained in 
document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/56.  The Note was prepar ed to facilitate the annual review of market 
access for LDC products, pursuant to paragraph 7 of the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs.  
Members considered the document useful to exam ine the export performance as well as market access 
situation of the LDCs.  A revision of  the Note was issued on 31 October 
(WT/COMTD/LDC/W/56/Rev.1).   
(iii) Trade-related Technical Assistance and Capacity-building Initiatives for LDCs 
34. The item on TRTA and capacity-building initia tives for LDCs was considered at the 
67th Session of the Sub-Committee.  The representativ e of the EIF Executive Secretariat provided an 
update on the progress made in the implementation of  the EIF, based on the documents contained in 
JOB/DEV/21 and JOB/DEV/21/Corr.1.  As of Octobe r 2012, 47 LDCs were at various stages of the 
EIF process; the total pledges to the EIF Tr ust Fund stood at US$240 million, of which 
US$165 million had been secured.  Members' attenti on was drawn to the ongoing Mid-term Review 
of the EIF, mandated to come up with an assessment and recommendations for the future.  
35. At the same session, the representative of the Secretariat of the Standards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF) gave an overview of progress in the activities under the STDF.  A 
document to this effect was also issued as JO B/STDF/1.  The mandate, structure, planned and 
ongoing works, as well as procedures for accessing STDF f unding were explained at the meeting.  As 
of October 2012, 32 project preparation grants ( PPGs) had exclusively benefitted LDCs representing 
more than 60% of all PPGs;  in addition, the LDCs  have been beneficiaries of one third of project 
grants approved till date.  The LDCs underscored the importance of the STDF in developing their 
capacity to meet international SPS requirements. 
(iv) Update of the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs 
36. At its 65th Session, the Sub-Committee resumed its discussion concerning the update of the 
WTO Work Programme for the LDCs (WT/COMTD/ LDC/11).  The representative of Haiti recalled 
the room document submitted by the LDC Gr oup during the October 2011 meeting of the 
Sub-Committee, indicating the suggested changes by the Group for incorporation into an updated 
Work Programme.  This item was also taken up at the 67th Session of the Sub-Committee.  Members 
reiterated their willingness to engage in this exer cise.  A number of Members underlined that the 
scope of the update should remain technical in na ture.  The Chairman will be undertaking informal 
consultations in the future to adva nce the work in this regard.    WT/COMTD/79 
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  (v) Other Business 
37. At the 67th Session, the representative of Haiti inform ed Members of the holding of an LDC 
Retreat, which subsequently took place from 18 to  20 October 2012.  At the Retreat, the LDCs 
reviewed areas of priority and interest to them.   
 
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