RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
20 May 2020  
(20-3737) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Forty -Eighth Session on Aid for Trade    
 
 
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 11 FEBRUARY  2020 
Chaired by H.E. Chad Blackman, Barbados  
 
Contents  
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGEN DA ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
B. AID-FOR-TRADE WORK P ROGRAMME 2020 -2021 – UPDATE BY THE CHAIR PERSON  .... 1 
C. IMPLEMENTATION OF AI D-FOR-TRADE WORK ACT IVITIES  ................................ ..... 2 
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  ................................ .......................  2 
II. Mainstreaming  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  3 
III. Regional Di mension  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 6 
IV. Private Sector  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  7 
V. Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  ....................  8 
D. OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 8 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGEN DA 
1. The Agenda, as circulated in WTO/AIR/COMTD/AFT/ 16/Rev.2  was adopted  witho ut 
amendment s.  
B. AID-FOR-TRADE WORK P ROGRAMME  2020-2021 – UPDATE BY THE CHA IRPERSON  
2. The Chair recalled that he had convened an informal open -ended Committee on Trade and 
Development (CTD) Aid -for-Trade (AfT) meeting on 21 January 2020  to discuss a Work Programme 
for the biennium 2020 -21. A draft of the  Work Programme ha d subsequently been circulated to 
Members in document  JOB/DEV/59 , with Member s requested to submit  comments before 
3 February  2020. Brief comments had  then been received from two Members  that underscored the 
need for  AfT effectiveness (as part of the next monitoring and evaluation exercise ) and consideration 
to "living wages" as part of  further work on the economic empowermen t of women and youth.  
3. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the group of Least Developed Countries (LDC) , 
regarded  the 2020 -2021 Aid -for-Trade Work Programme  as relevant to  LDCs and subscribed to its 
inclusive approach, methodology and formulation . A little more time was needed to ensure positive 
assent from all LDC members , but he was confident  that the Work Programm e could be  adopt ed by 
the next General Council . The LDCs wanted to see the Initiative  strengthened for effective and long -
lasting results  in areas such as women's economic empowerment and poverty reduction. He also 
recalled  the expectation  that Aid for Trade  would help  LDCs diversify their goods and services 
production and strengthen their productive capacity.   
4. With a view of promoting market access, it was necessary to develop physical infrastructure 
as well as administrative and customs proced ures. From this perspective, LDCs needed to possess 
the right technological means to strengthen their economic competitiveness, particularly at the level WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
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  of Micro , Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).  He requested all donors, including development 
banks , international organizations,  the private sector , and Sout h-South partners to provide  
substantial levels of  Aid for Trade  at favourable conditions  which would  take into account the fragile 
and vulnerable nature  of their economies.  Improving the supply -side capacity of LDCs  still merited 
further work within the new Work Programm e. A statement by the LDCs was circulated after the 
meeting in document WT/COMTD/AFT/W/82.  
5. The representative of Jamaica, on behalf of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of  
States , welcomed the 2020 -2021 Aid -for-Trade Work Programme which focused on economic 
empowerment and export diversification through digital connectivity and sustainability. The ACP 
Group also welcomed the inclusive approach taken in the elaboration of th e Work Programme. She 
noted that Aid for Trade represented an important tool in helping developing and least developed 
Members to strengthen their supply -side capacity as well as trade -related infrastructure so as to 
better implement WTO and other trade ag reements, increase their participations in global value 
chains and reap the benefits of international trade. Collectively, these efforts were also aligned with 
efforts to achieve global goals and social well -being for citizens in a sustainable and inclusiv e 
manner. She then highlighted some past areas of focus which could guide upcoming AfT work such 
as supporting economic empowerment and diversification with a particular emphasis on MSME s, 
women and youth as supported by findings of the 2019 monitoring and  evaluation exercise.  
6. The ACP group supported further activities under the 2020 -2021 Aid -for-Trade Work 
Programme that would build on those of 2018 -2019. They should promote more inclusivity for all 
and support real trade capacity building and further inte gration of developing countries, small and 
vulnerable economies and LDCs.  
7. Speaking in a national capacity, she noted that Jamaica  had benefitted from several AfT 
projects over the years. Jamaica's AfT Strategy entitled "Partnerships Towards Sustained Econ omic 
Growth and Development through Trade"1 had been developed with the assistance of the 
Inter-American Development Bank and launched in 2011. The strategy focused on trade -related 
needs around three pillars: network infrastructure ; competitiveness, and e xport diversification ; and 
trade development. The strategy was closely aligned with the national development strategy, Vision 
2030 Jamaica and the 2013 Caribbean Community Regional Trade Strategy. Within this context, 
Jamaica had been actively pursuing a w ide range of initiatives geared to promoting economic 
empowerment of women, youth and MSMEs which were significant contributors for employment and 
growth.  
8. The representative of Benin, on behalf of the African Group , said the 2020 -2021 Aid -for-Trade 
Work Programme on Empowering, Connected Sustainable Trade  set out the opportunities that digital 
connectivity offered for economic diversification with a view to contributing to empowering Members, 
particularly the least developed among them. Progress ha d been seen in economic diversification 
particularly with regard  to agricultural exports as underlined in the 2019 Review. This offered a path 
towards correcting the existing imbalance in industrial capacity between countri es. The Initiative ha d 
registered new results particularly in terms of resource mobilization especially  when it came to 
infrastructure and boosting productive capacity. The inclusive approach would contribute to the 
discussion as well as the holding of wor kshops. The African Group then underlined the need to 
conduct analytical work and reviews of the activities deployed at all levels and with all stakeholders 
involved as part of a balanced Work Programme.  
9. The Chair noted the support given by Members to the  Aid-for-Trade  Work Programme  for 
2020-2021.  He announced that the deadline for written comments would be extended to 
Monday , 17 February 2020  and then issued under the Chair's own responsibility as document 
WT/COMTD/AFT/W/81 and presented to the General Co uncil meeting of 3 -4 March 2020 . 
C. IMPLEMENTATION  OF AID-FOR-TRADE WORK ACTIVITIES  
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  
10. The representative of the Russian Federation  briefed  the Membership on  the Russia –Africa 
Summit, "For Peace, Security and Development" , which took place in October 2019 in Sochi . All 
 
1 Jamaica's Aft Strategy is available at https://publications.iadb.org/en/jamaicas -national -aid-trade -
strategy -partnerships -towards -sustained -economic -growth -and-development , viewed on April 1, 2020.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
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  54 African states had been  represented. Ministers from 109 countries  had attended  the Summit  as 
well as leaders of Afric a's major regional organizations.  He noted the role that the Russian Federation 
was playing in  support ing Africans in protect ing their sovereignty  and in setting up  modern armed 
forces. Russia had provided , and continued to provide , support to different international 
organizations.  He then made reference to industria l projects  and important infrastructure facilities  
such as  hydroelectric power plants, roads, and industrial plants that had been  built in developing 
countries by Russian specialists.  
11. Russia  had taken  important steps to  reduc e the debt burden of Africa n States, including  
relieving some  USD 20 bi llion in debt . In the last five years,  trade with African states had doubled.  
The summit had generated  92 agreements and memorandums of understanding, including  some  
between the Government of Russia and the African Union and between the Eurasian Economic 
Commission and the African Union Commission.  Contracts worth some  USD 20 billion  had been 
signed , and  a goal to increase trade twofold in the next three years had been  announced.  Russia 
was keen  to boost cooperation with Africa, and  make its  cooperation more systemic and 
comprehensive. The results of the Summit would  strengthen African states, their soverei gnty, as 
well as their economic development and independence.  
12. The representative of China  reported recent work in the area of Aid for Trade within the 
framework of the WTO and South -South cooperation. On the trade front, China remained committed 
to grantin g zero -tariff treatment on 97% of the tariff lines originating from LDCs with which it 
enjoyed diplomatic ties, as well as facilitating the imports from LDCs more generally. China had been 
a leading export destination of LDCs’ products for a decade. In Jun e of 2019, China had hosted the 
first China -Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, attracting some from 53 African countries. 
A total of 84 deals worth USD 20.8 billion had been reached in trade, agriculture, tourism and other 
fields over  the three -day event. In addition, in November of 2019, China had held the 2nd China 
International Import Expo and provided 40 LDCs with free exhibition booths.  
13. On the capacity -building front, China had support ed LDCs to better integrate into the 
multilateral  trading system and global trade. On 1 8 November  2019, China  had made another 
contribution of USD 500,000 to renew China’s LDCs and Accessions Program me. Since the inception 
of China’s program me in 2011, China had contributed USD 3.7 million , providing tangible assistance 
to LDCs and countrie s in accession . Eight accession Roundtables ha d been successfully hel d, the 
most recent of which had been held on 4-6 December 2019 in Moscow , Russia . Over 
100 representativ es from acceding countries and WTO Members had attended the meeting.  
14. On 22-23 November  2019, China organized a workshop on Intellectual Property and 
Development in Beijin g in which of ficials from 12 developing countries  had participated.  The 
representative noted that  the Chinese Government and people were engage d in an intense struggle 
against the novel coronavirus epidemic. She expressed appreciation for the support and assistance 
received from the international community. While working to ov ercome these difficulties, China 
remained committed to engaging and supporting the Aid -for-Trade Initiative.  
15. The representative from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development  
reiterated the organisation's  commitment to the Aid -for-Trade Ini tiative and looked forward to 
working with the WTO to deliver the monitoring and evaluation exercise.  
II. Mainstreamin g 
16. The representative of Peru updated the Committee on its fifth Trade Policy Review (TPR) , held 
on 22 and 24 October 2019. At this occasion, t he country had made a presentation on its main 
achievements and progress in economic and trade policy. Peru had also received comments from 
various delegations recognizing the country's economic and trade performance and welcoming 
reforms made since the la st TPR in 2013.  
17. Peru had maintained  an open and liberalizing trade policy for 25 years that sought to promote 
economic growth and foster the country's  insertion into global markets and value chains  to increase 
the well -being and development of its populati on. 
18. In this regard, Peru recognized the importance of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative as a tool to 
promote inclusive and sustainable development. Peru had participated in AfT-related activities such WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
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  as the regional workshop on "Trade and Development Led Econo mic Growth in Latin America : The 
Role of the Multilateral Trading System"  held in  2018. Within the framework of the Initiative, Peru 
had implemented cooperation projects and program mes linked to issues of productivity 
improvement, productive and export diversification, economic empowerment of youth, women and 
small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ), and trade facilitation, with various  countries and international 
organizations as donors.  
19. In this regard,  Peru view ed the issues of economic diversification and empowerment explored 
in the 2018 -2019 Aid-for-Trade Work Programme as in line with its trade priorities as part of  its 
national development strategy . Peru placed a particular emphasis on  the National Strategic Export 
Plan 2015 -2025, which s ought  to deepen the internationalization of Peruvian companies  and to 
promote the increase of exports of goods and services in a sustainable and diversified manner,  
adding value and improv ing the compet itiveness of the export sector.  This policy was supported  by 
the National Competitiveness and Productivity Plan 2019 -2030. All these efforts were part of a  
strategy seeking to  overcome the challenges still existing  in the areas of infrastructure and logist ics, 
formalization, institutional reform, sustainable development and social inclusion.  
20. Peru expressed appreciation for  the work done by the WTO since the inception of the 
Aid-for-Trade Initiative and placed importance on better using and better disseminat ing it. Peru also  
highlight ed the Initiative's contribution to economic diversification and empowerment with a view to 
promoting inclusive and sustainable development, as well as its contribution to the achievement of 
the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  
21. The representative of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)  said that Lao PDR had held 
its first TP R on 18  and 20 November 2019. In 2019, Lao PDR had embarked on a third generation 
of trade -related technical assistance.  Lao PDR had a well -functioning policy dialogue and AfT 
governance framework that guided formulation and implementation of AfT programme s. There were 
14 trade -related technical projects that supported priority interventions to improve the country's 
business environment, the further deepening of economic integration and the enhancing of firm -level 
competitiveness. The overall goal of all tr ade-related technical assistance was to assist the countr y 
in improving its economic resilience through the development of non -resource based sectors such 
as manufacturing, tourism, and agro -based industry.  Lao PDR’s first TPR had been supported by the 
Lao Competitiveness and Trade Project - a multi -donor trust fund administered by the World Bank 
Group. Lao PDR reiterated the importance of Aid  for Trade for LDC members . 
22. The Chairperson  listed the TPRs of the European Union; Australia; Japan; Zimbabwe; 
Tajikistan; and Macao, China that would be conducted before the next CTD AfT meeting. An 
opportunity would be given to the representatives of these Members to make a statement at the 
next meeting.  
23. The representative of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)2 updat ed the Committee on 
its most recent efforts in assisting LDCs to improve th eir trading environment for conducive and 
sustainable growth. Specifically, in November 2019, a trade institutional capacity -building project 
had been  approved in Mali. Th e unique project exemplified  the catalytic nature of EIF  support  which 
was moving  towards ensuring greater sustainability in trade mainstreaming results across many 
LDCs. In this case, the Government was contributing 83% and EIF the remaining  17% of the funding .  
24. Within the same period, Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Updates had been  approved for 
South Sudan and Lao PDR. They follow ed the initial study conducted in 2013 in South Sudan and 
the last update for Lao  PDR in 2012. Reassessing the trade environment  through these updates was 
crucial to ensuring that trade -related interventions continue d to be targeted and evidence -based. 
The studies allow ed the EIF countries to develop a clear strategy for mainstreaming trade into their 
national development plans and  poverty reduction strategy papers. A feasibility study had also been 
approved in Haiti, which was analysing the policy and investment options to improve the marketing 
of promising agricultural sectors in the country.  
25. A capacity -building project on investm ent leveraging in eight graduating LDCs from the 
Asia-Pacific region had been  approved  which would be  implemented by the World Association of 
Investment Promotion Agencies.  The E IF's efforts on trade productive capacity -building continued 
with support aime d at improving the participation of the LDCs in the most strategic value chains. 
 
2 The Enhanced Integrated Framework, available at www.enhancedif.org   WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
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  Investments had been  made to promote the export diversification of Bhutanese products in high -end 
niche markets and the creation of 'Brand Bhutan'. A  project for strengthening  the capacity of MSMEs 
to improve competitiveness in domestic, regional and international markets had also been approved 
for Tanzania, and a new project in Guinea was working to strengthen the technical and organizational 
capacities of the institutions in charge of promoting exports of mango and cashews.  
26. Supporting LDC integration into the digital economy ha d remained a key crosscutting priority. 
At the beginning of 2 020, Cambodia had launched its national e -commerce strategy, which was 
supported by the EIF. The new e -commerce strategy set out a plan of action in ten critical areas to 
tackle identified bottlenecks and drive e -commerce growth. As part of the EIF's holis tic trade 
investment in Cambodia, an e -commerce capacity -building project had also been launched and 
would  support the digitalization of MSME s, mostly women -owned , by addressing existing skills gaps , 
access to finance and vital digital services.  
27. In strengt hening monitoring and evaluation for greater learning and accountability , ongoing 
efforts include d building the capacity of LDC officials responsible for the implementation of EIF 
projects. A monitoring and evaluation  workshop had successfully completed in  Cambodia for Asian 
and Pacific LDCs. The 29th meeting of the EIF Board had successfully been hel d on 
13-14 November  2019 in Thimphu , Bhutan. Updates had been  provided on programme delivery, 
financial updates and the implementation of the Value for Money A ction Matrix. The EIF Board had 
approved the 2020 budgets and work plans. A dedicated session had also been held on LDC 
graduation.   
28. The meeting had been  followed by an extended session on 12  December 2019 to consider 
scenarios for the end of the EIF's Pha se Two. The EIF Board agreed on a  scenario that provide d 
sufficient time for countries to implement productive capacity projects, placing emphasis on value 
for money principles, prioritization of projects in the pipeline and impactful results delivery.  The EIF 
Steering Committee  had also review ed the overall effectiveness of the programme. Updates had 
been provided by the Chairperson of the EIF Board, the Executive Director of the EIF, the EIF Donor 
Coordinator and the WTO LDC Group Coordinator.  
29. In 2019, a  total of USD 35 million in new projects had been designed through country 
leadership and submitted for approval to build analytical, institutional and productive capacity for 
trade in the LDCs. In  2020, new catalytical trade institutional and productive capacity -building 
investments would  be rolled out , increasin g focus on the gender dimension, particularly through the 
EIF's Empower Women  Empower Trade  initiative.  
30. The representative of  Chad, on behalf o f the LDCs , praised the EIF  as it improved the capacity 
of LDCs to integrate into the multilateral tra ding system, enhancing their productive capacity in 
goods, the competence of their labour force and their private sector overall. As EIF activities were 
of great utility for the LDCs, he called for the EIF's mandate to continue  and be  strengthened in the 
long term to ensure sustainability of projects to meet the objectives of LDCs , such as people's 
welfare. He called on donors and development partners to continue supporting the EIF in its delivery 
of real impact for people on the ground, particularly the mo st vulnerable.  
31. The representative of the Standard s and  Trade Development Facility (STDF)  updated the 
Committee on its new strategy for 2020 -2024. The strategy sought to consolidate STDF 
partnerships, its delivery models and identify areas where the STDF sh ould develop more work. The 
STDF linked to trade development, food safety and poverty reduction , directly contributing to the 
achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG s) 1, 2, 3, 8 and 17.  
32. Unsafe food led to productivity losses of USD 95 billion pe r year in low and middle -income 
countries.  Animal diseases also had a huge impact with the World Organization for Animal Health 
estimating losses in animal production amounting to USD 300 billion per year. Example included 
avian influenza at the start of l ast century and swine flu which had caused massive losses. On the 
plant side, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  and the International Plant 
Protection Convention  estimated that plant diseases were responsible for losses of 10  to 16% of the 
global harvest each year, amounting to USD 220 billion in losses every year. This provided a strong 
rational e for the STDF's action.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
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  33. He outlined trends that would underpin STDF 's work in the years to come. The first one was 
growth in the agri -food global and regional value chains as well as emerging South -South trade . 
This called for work on ensuring the readiness of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems for export 
as well as for imports as these were growing fast in emerging economies. Second, agricultur e offered 
many jobs for MSMEs, women and youth. Third, there was a greater focus on reducing trade costs 
including those linked to the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Fo urth, regional integration 
was on the increase as exemplified in the African Continental Free Trade Area. Fifth and last, 
digitali zation and access to technology which was transforming agricultural development and trade.  
34. The SDTF had the power to convene  actors from a wide array of stakeholders from across 
agriculture, trade, health and development both in the public and private sectors. The S TDF was 
also about piloting and learning from innovative and regional approaches. It was also about 
influencing and catalysing SPS development work globally. The STDF was working towards more 
synergies and collaboration to drive catalytic improvements in developing countries and greater 
access to, and use of, good practices at the global, regional and national level. Th is led to three 
outcome areas: projects and Project Preparation Grants ( PPGs), the knowledge work and STDF 
functioning as a global platform.  
35. The public and private sectors in developing and least developed countries would benefit from 
better and more effec tive SPS projects and the adoption and replication of good practices, including 
via STDF projects. Some of the good practice on latest SPS solutions included: reducing SPS trade 
costs; electronic certification; good regulatory practice ; public-private part nerships ; and, prioritizing 
SPS investments .  
36. Funding opportunities  would continue to exist for developing countries. Fifty to sixty percent 
of STDF funding was provided to  LDCs. The STDF aimed to : identify , develop or share good practice ; 
select projects that are replicable ; include regional/global approaches ; and seek projects that are 
innovative, collaborative  and inter-disciplinary . A special feature in the STDF were PPGs which  
offered  seed funding up to US D 50,00 0 to help develop SPS capacity -building projects . It could also 
be used to apply capacity evaluation and prioritization tools  or assess feasibility before project 
development . The STDF website could  help applicants apply for funding. The next deadline for online 
application forms to be completed was 17 July 2020.  He encouraged more partners to join the STDF's 
global network to : extend result s and reach worldwide; to explore options to co -fund STDF's safe, 
inclusive trade projects; to join as a donor to the Trust Fund and respond to growi ng demand; and 
to connect and collaborate on the latest SPS solutions.  
37. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDCs , viewed the STDF as playing a very 
important role as it ensured LDCs' capacity to market quality products that met international 
standa rds with a view to market access. By improving goods and agricultural produce in LDCs, the 
STDF contributed to the goal of improving the LDCs ' integration into the multilateral trading system.  
38. The representative of Colombia , whose country had benefitted fr om STDF projects , recognized 
the value of STDF work which improved trade opportunities and market access for developing 
countries. Many SPS barriers remained and needed to be further address ed. 
III. Regional Dimension  
39. The Secretariat  provided an update on a wor kshop organized by the Economic Community of 
West African States  (ECOWAS ) on 17-18 December 2019 . The w orksho p was aimed at  building the 
capacity of in -country AfT Focal Points and EIF Coordinators to identify, formulate, review and 
develop bankable AfT projects. An update on the 2019 Aid -for-Trade Global Review had been  
provided and the first EIF -supported regional project comprising Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo 
to be implemented by the Global Shea Alliance had been  highlighted.  
40. At the meeting, th e ECOWAS Commission and member States presented updates on their 
respective AfT-related strategies and action plans. ECOWAS ha d received over USD  30 billion in AfT 
financing since 2006 to upgrade the region's economic infrastructure (53% of the funds), and  build 
its productive capacity (43% of the funds). The largest flows ha d been directed to Ghana and Nigeria.  
41. Focal points and EIF coordinators explored proposals on projects in the areas of cashew, 
e-commerce and hides and skins, and learned to articulate  the rationale behind them. ECOWAS also WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
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  proposed a list of regional projects for consideration by member States on regional value chains , 
e-commerce , and, women empowerment. Finally, the ECOWAS Commission had made a 
presentation on its Trade Facilitation W est Africa and the West Africa Competitiveness Programme.  
42. The representative of Chad, on behal f of LDCs , called for the workshop held in the West African 
region to be held in other regions in Africa, Asia -Pacific and the Caribbean.  
IV. Private Sector  
43. The repr esentative of the International Trade Centre (ITC)  recalled that it had recently  
deliver ed its largest ever portfolio of trade -related technical assistance  with even more planned for 
2020. Aid-for-Trade demand remai ned high and growing , particularly at the base of the pyramid and 
in areas such as value chain development, support to  MSMEs to address sustainability, 
climate -related issues and youth entrepreneurship.  ITC would  continue to work with WTO Members 
to help with the implementati on of agreements such as the TFA but also in offering assistance and 
support in new areas such as e -commerce and investment facilitation.  
44. The World Export Development Forum has been held at the African Union headquarters in 
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in Novemb er 2019 . ITC had reaffirmed its commitment to support the Af rican 
Continental Free Trade Area.  
45. In addition, a  new programme "SheTrades West Africa ", targeting four countries of the 
Mano  River (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone) was set to  be launched on 5 March  2020 
in Abidjan with the support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency . ITC had  also recently 
launched SheTrades Invests and the SDG500 fund at Davos, in order to leverage USD 500 million 
in partnership with other N on-Governmen tal Organizations and U nited Nations agencies to improve 
the investment ecosystem for MSMEs with a particular focus on women -owned enterprises.  
46. In 2020, ITC was planning to roll out a number of new and innovative initiatives . 
Implementation would  continue on country projects under the EU Trust Fund for Migration, namely 
in The Gambia, Guinee, Burkina Faso and Mali . A new project in Senegal would  also be launched to 
boost sector competitiveness.  In Asia -Pacific , ITC would focus on supporting trade promotion and 
regional integration in ASEAN and enhancing SME competitiveness and linking them to global 
markets in Afghanistan, Iran, Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Pacific.  
47. In the Arab States , the focus would  be on connecting to internation al value chains and 
promoting regional integration , including partnering with ITFC on She Trades initiatives. In the 
Eastern Europe and Central Asia region s, ITC’s Ready for Trade project would  focus on increasing 
intra-regional and international trade by a ddressing regulatory and procedural barriers to trade . In 
Latin America and the Caribbean,  ITC was  working through a regional Central American project 
linking women -owned business es to the gifts and home decoration industries via e-commerce.  In 
the Caribbe an, ongoing projects  were being implement ed, including Coconut phase II  with funding 
from the European Union, covering 12 Caribbean countries . In addition, UKTP CARIFORUM covered  
trade intelligence for all Caribbean countries a nd planned pilots.  
48. ITC's flag ship SME Competitiveness Outlook 2020 would  be published in  the first half of the 
year with a focus on managing global risks for MSMEs.  ITC's operational plan 2020 would  also be 
released shortly and SDG 13 on climate action had been incorporated into ITCs  measurement and 
monitoring architecture. The Centre has also launched a framework to mainstream gender, youth 
and environmental sustainability issues in projects.  
49. The representative of the United Kingdom  (UK) recalled its position as  second largest 
contributor to the ITC. The UK believed in the role of Aid for Trade in support of the global trading 
system. Targeted technical assistance, linked to stable and predictable rules, allowed cross -border 
trade to transform economies, unlock g rowth and reduce poverty. Everyone was better off, and not 
only economically, when developing countries had the resources to engage at the WTO, when they 
grasp ed the meaning of this for their economies and when their governments and businesses ha d 
the capa city to trade more and better goods and services.  
50. Commitments negotiated in Geneva and signed in Ministerial Conferences had the power to 
create prosperity. They also created implementation challenges. This was why the UK had developed WT/COMTD/AFT/M/48  
 
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  a unique, cross -cutting approach to trade and development, focused on trade facilitation and 
capacity building. At its heart was a commitment to spend 0.7% of the country's national income on 
overseas aid, channelled through a joined -up strategy  working across government that  ensured 
development and global prosperity were deeply embedded into UK trade and investment policy.  
51. Trough the Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund, and support to the Commonwealth Small 
States Office, the UK helped developing countries engage in discussion s at the WTO. The UK was 
the largest donor to Enhanced Integrated Framework. The programme supporting the WTO TFA 
ensured that its five partners, the TFA Facility, the STDF , the United Nations Conference on Trade 
and Development, the Global Alliance of Tra de Facilitation and the World Bank, worked together for 
the success of the Agreement.  
52. Impact of the UK's AfT efforts included  that of  TradeMark East Africa, which had been set up 
as a non -profit company in 2010 to promote faster and cheaper trade in East A frica. It was also 
reflected in events such as the UK -African Investment Summit held on 20 January 2020. The UK 
would also be supporting the organization of the upcoming Ministerial Conference and handing over 
the Commonwealth Chair -in-Office role to Rwand a at the Heads of Government Summit in Kigali. 
The UK was also looking forward to organizing COP26 in 2021.  
53. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDC group , welcome d the work done by the ITC. 
The ITC played an important  role in enhanc ing LDC compet itiveness and in helping the informal 
sector. There was a gap to bridge for MSMEs to become more productive.  
54. The representative of  Burkina Faso  thanked its partners for helping C4 countries, in particular 
in the context of the 7th Ministerial Coordination  Meeting held in Burkina Faso. She then cited the 
Cotton Portal which had been  developed in 2017 by the ITC and WTO.  
55. The representative s of Jamaica, on behalf of CARICO M, of Saint Lucia, on behalf of the  
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States  and of Barbados  praised the work done by ITC. Members  
hoped to intensify collaboration with the Centre and cited several ITC projects aiming to support 
small businesses such as the MSME academy, SheTrades and the T rade Intelligence tools . 
56. The representative of The Gambia  highlighted the five -year, EUR 13 million Youth 
Empowerment Project conducted by the ITC. Financed by the European Union Emergency Trust 
Fund, the project sought to address the economic root causes of irregular migration.  
V. Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  
57. No item was raised under "Monitoring and Evaluation  of Implementation and Development 
Effectiveness ". 
D. OTHER BUSINESS  
 
58. No item was raised under "Other Busi ness".  The meeting was adjourned . 
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