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WT/COMTD/AFT/M/39  
 
23 May 2017 
(17-2787) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Thirty -Ninth Session on Aid for Trade    
 
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 10 FEBRUARY 2017  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Christopher Onyanga Aparr (Uganda ) 
A. Adoption of the Agenda  ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
B. Implemen tation of the 2016 -2017 Aid -for-Trade Work Programme  ........................  1 
1. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  ................................ ......................  1 
2. Mainstreaming  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  2 
3. Regional Dimension  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 3 
4. Private Sector  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  4 
5. Monitoring and Eval uation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  ...................  4 
C. Other Business  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  5 
 
A. Adoption of the Agenda  
1. The Agenda, as circulated in WTO/AIR/COMTD/AFT/7  was adopted , with an amendment to 
the order of items under Agenda item B to take into account the statement by Ambassador Gyan 
Chandra Acharya, Under -Secretary -General of UN -OHRLLS just after the statement by Botswana 
on its National Aid -for-Trade Strategy.   
B. Impleme ntation of the 2016 -2017  Aid-for-Trade Work Programme  
1. Resource Mobiliz ation and Implementation Activities  
2. Botswana  reported on a new Aid -for-Trade (AfT) strategy (developed with the 
Commonwealth Secretariat) aiming to drive its national export growth and diversification 
objectives as well as to improve its international competitiveness  and maximize the allocation of 
development support . The strategy identifies three priorities for national development: 
(1) Eradicating Poverty and Reducing Inequality; (2) Diversified Export -led Economic Growth and 
Employment Creation; and (3) Strengthening Human Development outcomes.  It also includes nine 
AfT objectives : improve trade performance and terms of trade;  increase employment and 
entrepreneurial opportunities for wo men;  diversification of export s ectors (Goods and Services);  
improve i nternational competitiveness;  modernize trade -related i nfrastructure;  enhance capacity 
for trade f acilitation;  strengthen the legal and regulatory frameworks to support t rade;  increase 
the skills base within the country; and  increase capacity of public sector officials supporting trade 
and development efforts.  Botswana will use the strategy to engage with development partners  to 
ensur e adequate implementation and meaningful results .  
3. Amba ssador Gyan Chandra Acharya, Under -Secretary -General of UN -OHRLLS  discussed the 
implementation of the Vienna and Istanbul Programmes of Action, focusing on energy 
infrastructure, sustainable agricultural development, transit infrastructure and private sect or 
development  and reported  on the inter -agency consultations held at the WTO. He called  for more 
AfT resources to help lower trade costs, connect to global value chains (GVCs)  and to meet the 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . Ambassador Acharya presen ted the UN -OHRLLS 
Programme of Action focusing on the priorities of energy infrastructure, sustainable agricultural 
development, transit infrastructure and private sector development. He argued for greater and WT/COMTD/AFT/M/39  
 
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  wider  partnership to meet the SDGs. He stated that Landlocked Developing Countries ( LLDCs ) 
have not yet realized their full potential and Aid for Trade contributed greatly to lower their trade 
costs and help them connect to GVCs. Ambassador Acharya advocated that enhancing resources 
for Aid for Trade was critical.  
4. The representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization ( UNIDO ) 
inform ed the Committee on the ongoing work related to the preparations of the 2017 edition of the 
Trade Capacity -Building Resource Guide . The representative  added that the new edition will focus 
on "Promoting connectivity", gender mainstreaming, employment and youth. It will be launched 
during the Aid for Trade Global Review 2017. 
5. The representative of  UNCTAD  updated the Committee about UNCTAD E -Commerce Week  
(24-28 April 2017 ), under the theme: "Towards Inclusive E -Commerce".  The representative 
recalled that UNCTAD's Ministerial Conference held in July 2016 had adopted a new mandate to 
continue its support to developing countries, in particular least d evelope d countries ( LDCs), in 
development assistance schemes including Aid -for-Trade and the Enhanced Integrated Framework  
(EIF). On trade facilitation, the representative stated that i n January  2017, UNCTAD had organiz ed 
the first International Forum for Nationa l Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs).  The 
representative also highlighted UNCTAD's work and trainings on non-tariff m easures (NTMs) as 
well as a new project on f ostering the development of green exports through Vol untary 
Sustainability Standards. On LDC s, the representative informed the CTD about UNCTAD's  
involve ment in updating the diagnostic trade integration studies of seven  African LDCs (Djibouti, 
Ethiopia, the Gambia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, and Senegal)  in collaboration with the (EIF); and 
the imp lementation of two projects in The Gambia and in Benin.  
6. The representative of the African Development  Bank (A fDB) stated that Africa n growth 
continue d to be dominated by raw materials and unprocessed goods. Structural tra nsformation 
through industrializ ation and a more efficient integration in regional and GVCs  was an essential  
prerequisite to sustaining Africa's growth. The AfDB was organiz ing itself around  five new priorities 
("the high fives"): Feed Africa, Power Africa, Industrialise Africa, Integrate A frica and Improve the 
quality of life of Africans. In 2016, the Bank had approved and implemented various project s 
aiming at improving trade, food security and rural livelihoods. The representative stated that the 
AfDB's  objective is to make Africa self -sufficient in food by helping transform the agriculture sector 
from one of subsistence to one of job, wealth and growth creator. On transport, over the last 
two years, the representative informed that the Bank approved a budget of US$2 billion for 
regional t ransport corridors projects , helping major cities and ports across Africa . In March 2016, 
the Africa V isa Openness Index was launched, with the objective of  easing the  movement of 
people and boost ing intra-regional trade, investment and tourism. On Trade F acilitation (TF), 
through the Africa Trade Fun d, the Bank intended to moderniz e custom systems, promote 
information sharing  and transparency , as well as  reduce incidents on non-tariff barriers ( NTBs). 
Between 201 4-2016, more than 2 4 TF projects had been approved  across 18 countries. A call for 
proposal s would be launched during the second quarter of 2017.  
7. The representative of World Bank Group stated that  US$75 billion had been committed for 
the International Development Association (IDA)  - the World Bank’ s fund for the poorest countries . 
The representative added that IDA had  a strong focus on enabling participation by the poorest 
countries in trade  and economic  and on private sector development . On TF, the representative said 
that 59 countries had requeste d assistance , 49 validation missions had  been completed and 
32 countries were implementing reforms funded by the Bank . The representative informed the CTD 
about combining new  data platform that consolidated  2,000 indicators across  a wide variety of 
trade a nd competitiveness topics such as trade logistics, GVCs , investment climate, 
entrepreneurship, and the cost of business operations can be easily used and help in determining 
AfT priorities, stimulating debate and discussion .  
2. Mainstreaming  
8. The representati ves of Guatemala , Sri Lanka , the Republic of Korea , and the United States  
made statement s pursuant to their recent Trade Policy Review s (TPRs) .  
9. The representative of Guatemala  reported on the implementation of its Economic Policy 
2016-2021 aiming at reduc ing poverty, improving opportunities for the most vulnerable, and WT/COMTD/AFT/M/39  
 
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  fostering sustainable and inclusive development. Guatemala informed the CTD that it had received 
about US $203 million of AfT assistance between 2010 and 2015. The assistance had been  used in  
areas such as transport, storage, agriculture, fishing and industry. Guatemala indicated that TPRs 
and the Global Review were useful tools to help define th e areas that require assistance.  
10. The representative  of Sri Lanka  stated that Aid for Trade is an im portant and critical 
programme for many developing countries, especially small and vulnerable economies ( SVEs) such 
as Sri Lanka  to integrat e into the multilateral trading system  and facilitate the achievement of 
their SDGs . He added that it can play a wid er role in the implementation of SDGs and the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement ( TFA). Sri Lanka reported that the E uropean Union had committed 
EUR8  million to improve Sri Lanka's trade capacity in 2016. Sri Lanka was also working with the 
Standards and Trade D evelopment Facility ( STDF) in two trade -related development projects 
(safety and quality of fruits and vegetables exports and enhancing capacity in the cinnamon value 
chain).   
11. The representative of  the Republic of Korea recalled that his country had  contri buted 
US$300 million to Aid for Trade in 2015 – about 15% of its total Official Development Aid budget 
of US$ 2 bill ion. Korea focused on economic infrastructure, fostering exports, and on building 
productive capacity. He noted that Korea contribut ed about US$2 million  every year to the 
Customs Cooperation Fund of the World Customs Organization to support the TFA implementation . 
Korea provided duty -free q uota-free (DFQF) market access to  LDCs on  more than 90% of its tariff 
lines and had submitted its Service s Waiver notification in July 2016. Korea w ould contribute US$1 
million to the Second Phase Programme of the EIF following its pledge at the Nairobi Ministerial in 
2015. Korea ha d also donated US$0.35 million annually  since 2007 to help development partner s 
participate in WTO negotiations. Furthermore, Korea has built partnerships with its development 
partners such as the Korea -Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference that had shared 
knowledge about  Korea’s economic development experience.  
12. The rep resentative of the United States  stated that since 1999, it had invested more than 
US$18 billion in trade capacity building and US $700 million in 2015 alone. The U S had  contributed 
more than US$15 million to the G lobal Trust Fund and more than US $1.5 milli on to the STDF. The 
representative said that t hrough one of its development agency,  USAID fund ed activities in 
approximately 125 countries . USAID’s trade capacity building activities were carried out by Trade 
and Investment Hubs located throughout  Africa, through its bilateral m issions, and through other 
regional offices such as those in Central America, Asia, and Europe.  The representative added that 
USAID had  supported developing countries in WTO accession  and LDCs by sponsoring  the 
development and implem entation of diagnostic studies  through the EIF . On TF, the US 
representative said that it was s upport ing effective TF reforms  together with  Canada, Germany, 
Australia, the United Kingdom and international institutions  through the Global Alliance . The 
repre sentative concluded that the US would  continue its efforts to assist developing countries, 
especially the LDCs , to become bette r integrated into global trade both through bilateral assistance 
and support to multilateral institutions . 
13. The representative of the Enhanced Integrated Framework ( EIF) provided a progress report 
on trade mainstreaming in LDCs . She noted that i n the first phase of the EIF, the programme had 
provided support to 142 projects, with a total allocation of US$ 202 million  with the successf ul 
delivery of projects across the LDCs and especially in in Benin, Ethiopia,  Guinea -Bissau, 
Mauritania, Myanmar and Samoa.  In addition, 42 countries were provided with institutional and 
policy support projects. Thirty -three LDCs had integrated trade into their national development 
plans, 29 LDCs had formulated and implemented trade strategies and 28 had also established 
donor coordination mechanisms on trade.  Regarding the EIF Trust Fund , contribution Agreements 
with EIF Donors following the EIF Pledging C onference in December 2015 have mostly been 
completed, and funding for the new phase has begun to be disbursed. The EIF plans to hold a 
replenishment conference in 2018 . 
3. Regional Dimension  
14. No statements from Members or Observers were made on the regional d imension of Aid for 
Trade . WT/COMTD/AFT/M/39  
 
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  4. Private Sector  
15. The representative of the International Trade Centre (I TC) stated that s ince the last CTD, 
ITC held two successful flagship events: World Export Development Forum in Sri  Lanka and the 
World Trade Promotion Organiza tion in Morocco and announced that the ITC will hold its Women 
Vendors Exhibition and Forum in Turkey bringing together women from over 60  countries to talk 
and do business.  The representative said that the ITC had launched the Shetrades  initiative  in 
Pakistan and would soon launch  Shetrades in the Caribbean, Thailand, Indonesia and Rwanda. The 
ITC had  commit ted to conn ect over 600,000 women to market  through this application . On TF , the 
representative informed the CTD that the ITC had  helped over 50 countr ies including at the 
regional level in ECOWAS  and the OECS . The ITC was also working actively  on implementation of 
TF measures including  measures related to NTMs and on e -Commerce. On e -Commerce, the 
representative stated that the ITC had partnered with DHL and eBay . On SMEs  competitiveness , 
the ITC  work had focussed on export potential by mapping  trade and market data and intelligence  
on how countries and their businesses can plan their diversification strategy . The ITC announced it 
would hold its annual JAG meeting at WTO on 10  July 2017.  
5. Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  
16.  The WTO Secretariat  provided an update on the 2016 -2017 Monitoring and E valuation 
(M&E) exercise for the Aid for Trade Global Review 2017. One hu ndred and ten  questionnaire 
responses and 151 case stories  had been received . An outline of the  programme for the Aid for 
Trade Global Review 2017  was presented, along with an overview of the process up  until the 
Global Review . A call for side events would  be launched and a workshop held in May to present in 
detail the results of the M&E  exercise.  The WTO Secretariat also summarized t he discussions held 
during the Third  thematic workshop of the Aid -for-Trade Work Programme for 2016 -2017.  An 
informal report of the workshop can be found on the WTO website at this link:  
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/a4t_e/a4tradetradecost022017_e.htm  
17. The representativ e of India recalled that t he M&E exercise had been launched based on the 
General Council’s acceptance of the recommendations of the Aid-for-Trade Task Force that had 
been created as per the mandate provided in the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration . He quot ed 
from the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration that "Aid for Trade should aim to help developing 
countries, particularly LDCs, to build the supply -side capacity and trade -related infrastructure that 
they need to assist them to implement and benefit from WTO  Agreements and more broadly to 
expand their trade. Aid for Trade cannot be a substitute for the development benefits that will 
result from a successful conclusion to the DDA, particularly on market access ". He added that 
there wer e indications of decrease d interest of Members over the years to participate in the Global 
Review o f Aid for Trade. One hundred and forty six  responses had been  received by the Secretariat 
in 2011, which had then fallen to 133 in 2013 and then 111 in 2015.  He stated that t he Task Force 
in its 2006 report emphasized that additional, predictable, sustainable and effective financing was 
fundamental for fulfilling the A fT mandate , especially for LDCs. He stated that the pledges made in 
Hong Kong by donors on financial aid had not been fulfilled . He considered that holding biennial 
Global R eviews of Aid for Trade without strong evidence of additional, predictable, sustainable and 
effective financing reduce d the meaningfulness of this exercise , suggesting that they be moved to 
a three -year cycle . He proposed that in the 2017 Aid for Trade - at a Glance report, specific 
information on the projects in each country that would be counted as part of A fT commitments and 
disbursements sh ould also be included.  He requested that before the launch of  the 7th Global 
Review of Aid for Trade, a holistic review of the entire M &E exercise should be done by the CTD 
and the General Council in light of the objectives of Aid for Trade , including the preparatory 
process and the periodicity of the review.  
18. The re presentative of Chinese Taipei  requested more information about the call for side 
events and the deadline for applying.  
19. The Representative of Bangladesh  supported India's proposal  for a holistic review on the 
M&E Exercise of Aid for Trade by the General C ouncil  and the CTD. Bangladesh observed that the  
Task Force recommendations had been  agreed a long time ago.  The Task Force identified  six areas  
under Aid for Trade . Only initiatives in the area of trade capacity building  had been addressed  
while discussio ns on the activities under other areas had remain ed untouched.   WT/COMTD/AFT/M/39  
 
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  20. The representative of Cameroon  supported India's statement. He stated  that the  decline in 
interest from Members about the Aid for Trade M&E exercise  should be a matter of concern for the 
CTD w hich should examine this matter. Cameroon argued that there were other matters that ha d 
not been raised and Members needed to de epen their understanding. Cameroon requested the 
CTD to deepen discussions and exchanges of views on this matter to improve the mechanism.  
21. The representative of  Japan  commended the Secretariat for its efforts in consolidating and 
analysing  the results  of the M &E exercise. He stated that this exercise was critical to understand 
the A fT priorities and status in each Member, with par ticular focus on the TFA, e -Commerce and 
infrastructure development. Japan stated that the implementation support of the TFA was timely 
as its entry into force was at hand. Japan added  that e -Commerce and infrastructure development 
were also important focu s issues.  Japan informed the CTD that it had submitted case stories on 
these areas. Japan added that grasping the nexus between SDGs and A id for Trade  was essential . 
Japan said it would remain engaged in the exercise and committed to the success of the Glo bal 
Review and beyond . 
22. The representative of  Guatemala  stated that Guatemala  was committed  to improve  the 
mechanism of the Aid for Trade  Global Review  and to facilitate the M &E exercise. Guatemala said it 
was looking forward to  reporting on its TPR. 
23. The re presentative of  Egypt  supported India's proposal  to improve the M&E exercise  
mechanism  and the Aid for Tr ade Global Review . Egypt strongly endorsed o n the benefits of the  
Global Review, but said that an enhanced sustainable mechanism  was needed. Egypt participated 
in the 2017 M&E exercise by submitting case stories  on TF . Egypt added that other elements could 
be discussed in relation with better connectivity (local sourcing, interaction between local and 
multinational companies, etc .) and suggested to furth er discuss those issues in detail.  
24. The WTO Secretariat  recalled that a significant volume of information had been collected in 
response to the call for  the M&E information. The Secretariat was collecting and reviewing this 
information, and working with ot her organizations contributing chapters to the 2017 Aid for Trade 
at a Glance  publication , to analyse the monitoring information submitted . Given the workload 
associated, the Secretariat suggested that the Committee return to these issues (a  holistic revie w 
of the Aid for Trade Initiative , including the M&E exercise, the preparatory process and the 
periodicity of the Global Reviews ), after the 11 -13 July Global Review . 
25. The Chairman  took note  of the statement by the Secretary.  
C. Other Business  
26. No other busines s was discussed .  
27. The meeting was adjourned . 
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