WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/COMTD/W/181 
21 October 2011 
 (11-5274) 
Committee on Trade and Development  
  
 
PARTICIPATION OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES  
IN THE GLOBAL TRADING SYSTEM 
 
Note by the Secretariat
* 
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. ...... 3 
I.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. .. 4 
II.  OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................... ........ 5 
A.  DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' TRADE FELL DURING THE CRISIS BUT QUICKLY REBOUNDED 
IN THE AFTERMATH  ..................................................................................................................... 5  
B.  DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' PARTICIPATION IN WORLD TRADE CONTINUED GROWING  ................ 6  
III. MERCHANDISE TRADE DEVELOPMENTS ..................................................................... 8  
A.  TOTAL TRADE DEVELOPMENTS DIFFERED WIDELY AMONG REGIONS  ......................................... 8  
B.  CHINA AND ASIA'S INTRA -REGIONAL TRADE STRENGTHENED SOUTH -SOUTH TRADE  ............... 9  
C.  DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' PARTICIPATION IN WORLD TRADE INCREASED IN ALL 
PRODUCT CATEGORIES  .............................................................................................................. 10  
D.  THE SHARE OF FUELS IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' EXPORTS SHRANK AS PRICES FELL 
AND MANUFACTURES EXPANDED  ............................................................................................. 12  
E.  DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' MERCHANDISE TRADE BY REGION  .................................................. 14  
1.  Latin America ................................................................................................................. ........ 15 
2.  Developing Europe ............................................................................................................. ..... 16 
3.  Africa ........................................................................................................................ ................ 18  
4.  Middle East ................................................................................................................... ........... 19  
5.  Developing Asia ............................................................................................................... ........ 20 
IV.  TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES ............................................................................ 22  
A.  DATA AVAILABILITY - A WORD OF CAUTION  ............................................................................ 22  
B.  PARTICIPATION OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES IN  TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES BY 
SECTOR  .............................................................................................................................. ........ 22 
C.  THE GLOBAL CRISIS AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES  .......... 25 
V.  OUTLOOK FOR DEVELOPING ECONOMIES IN 2011 ................................................ 29  
ANNEX ......................................................................................................................... ........................ 31  
                                                      
* This document has been prepared under the Secr etariat's own responsibility and without prejudice to 
the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 2  
 
  T
HE DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT FOR TRADING ACROSS BORDERS  .......................................................... 31  
APPENDIX ...................................................................................................................... ..................... 33  
Appendix Table 1:  Merchandise exports of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 ..................................................................................................................... ............ 33  
Appendix Table 2:  Merchandise imports of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 ..................................................................................................................... ............ 37  
Appendix Table 3:  Commercial services expo rts of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 ..................................................................................................................... ............ 41  
Appendix Table 4:  Commercial services impo rts of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 ..................................................................................................................... ............ 45  
Appendix Table 5:  Changes in export pric es of primary commod ities, 2000-2010 ...................... 49  
Appendix Table 6:  Most dynamic products in  developing economies' exports, 2008-2010 ......... 49  
Appendix Table 7:  Network of developing economies merchandise trade by product 
and region, 2008 and 2010 ..................................................................................................... . 50 
Appendix 8:  Composition of rep orter and partner groups ............................................................. 52  
 
    WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 3 
 
 
  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 Following financial turmoil in the United St ates, world merchandise trade began falling in 
August 2008 and bottomed out in February 2009.  From the third quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 
2009, the value of developing economies' merchandise trade fell by about 40 per cent, more abruptly 
than developed countries' trade.  African and Middle Eastern exports were particularly affected due to 
the severe drop in primary commodity prices. 
  In response to the crisis, governments in th e world's largest economies considerably lifted 
their spending.  China's imports began increasi ng massively in February 2009, which largely 
contributed to supporting developing economies' recovery.  The group's trade rebounded much faster 
than that of developed countries until the second quarter  of 2011.  On an annual basis, the value of 
developing economies' trade in merchandise and comme rcial services fell slightly less than the world 
average in 2009, and rebounded much faster in 2010.  Their share in world trade consequently gained 
3 to 4 percentage points between 2008 and 2010, in  contrast with previous global crises where 
developing economies had proven particular ly vulnerable to external shocks. 
 
 In 2010, the volume of developing Asia's  merchandise trade rebounded spectacularly, which 
lifted the dollar value of both the region's export and imports to a level 9 per cent higher than in 2008. 
Conversely, the value of other developing economi es' trade was still below its pre-crisis level, 
although the decrease was less pronounced than that  of developed countries'.  Depressed demand from 
North America and the European Union, together with the fast rebound in developing Asia's trade, 
resulted in a marked increase of South-South trade which now absorbs about half of developing economies' merchandise exports.  The most prominen t features in South-South trade developments 
between 2008 and 2010 were the stre ngth of developing Asia's intra -regional trade and the dynamism 
of China's exchanges with developing economies inside and outside the region.  
 Commodity price developments were overall fa vourable to developing economies.  Prices of 
fuels and cereals dropped dramatically during the cris is and in 2010 were s till on average considerably 
lower than in 2008, which influenced positively import-dependent countries' terms of trade.  
Conversely, prices of a number of commodities that  are typically exported by developing economies, 
such as coffee, cocoa, tea, agricultural raw materials, and non-fuel minerals reached levels in 2010 that were on average consider ably above those of 2008. 
 
 Middle Eastern exports were mainly affected by  the cut in the region's fuel exporters' revenue, 
which was however not matched by a sharp decline in  imports.  Fuel prices also weighed on Africa's 
export performance, which was further held back by  declines in Morocco's and Tunisia's exports, hit 
by the fall in demand from the European Union.   Most other smaller African countries however 
registered positive performances thanks to favourable  price developments of non-fuel minerals and 
agricultural exports.  Latin America's trade in 2010 reached almost the same level as two years earlier, 
registering the best performance among developing re gions outside Asia.  Although the whole region 
was, on average, severely affected by the fall in demand from the United States, Mexico reinforced its 
ties with its partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and registered a positive export performance.  The region also largely benef itted from its endowment in non-fuel minerals and 
dynamic trade developments with China.  Besi de fuel exporters, many  small island developing 
economies posted particularly sharp declines in thei r merchandise exports and imports.  Their tourism 
sector was furthermore severely affected by the ec onomic downturn in the European Union and North 
America, their main markets. 
   WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 4  
 
  I. INTRODUCTION 
1. This document has been prepared by the S ecretariat to assist the Committee on Trade and 
Development (CTD) in meeting its requirement to continuously review the participation of 
developing economy Members in the multilateral tradi ng system.  It updates previous studies on this 
topic produced for the Committee in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2009.
1  The first part of this 
report provides an overview of developing econo mies' trade during the global crisis and its 
aftermaths, which follow the period examined in the previous study.  The sec ond part reviews detailed 
aspects and salient features of de veloping economies' merchandise trade from 2008 to 2010, while the 
third part focuses on their trade in commercial services.  The report is concluded, in its fourth part, by 
an outlook for developing economies in 2011 based on WTO's latest forecast of world trade and GDP 
growth.  The report is completed by an annex,  which describes some aspects of developing 
economies' domestic conditions for tr ading across borders.  A statistical appendix containing a series 
of specific tabulations and the composition of regi ons and economic groupings used in this report is 
also included.2  
2. Wherever relevant tables include memora ndum items on the trade performance of the 
least-developed countries (LDCs), which are a subset  of developing economies.  Specific aspects of 
their trade are, however, not discussed as they ar e the subject of another recent in-depth study.3 
                                                      
1 The 2009 document is WT/COMTD/W/172/Rev.1. 
2 Data published in this document (unless otherwise indicated) are derived from the WTO's 
International Trade Statistics Report 2011 and the WTO's Statistics Database 
(www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/statis_e.htm).  For more information on the definitions of indicators and 
detailed sources of data, see the Technical Notes in the above mentioned report or the WTO's Statistics website. 
3 WT/COMTD/LDC/W/51.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 5 
 
 
  II. OVERVIEW 
A. DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' TRADE FELL DURING THE CRISIS BUT QUICKLY REBOUNDED IN THE 
AFTERMATH  
3. Following financial turmoil in the United St ates (US), world merchandise trade began falling 
in August 2008 and bottomed out in February 2009.  Developing economies' trade followed 
developed countries' in an abrupt fall that spanned fro m the third quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 
2009.  Over this period of time, developing econo mies' quarterly merchandise exports and imports 
dropped by about 40 per cent in value terms, wh ereas those of developed countries decreased by 
35 per cent.4 
4. In response to the crisis, governments in devel oping Asia, particularly in China and India, 
raised their spending significantly.  China's ec onomic stimulus programme resulted in a massive 
increase in imports which largely contributed to su pporting developing economies ' trade in the region 
and beyond.  From the first quart er of 2009 onward, developing econom ies' trade began recovering at 
a much faster pace than developed countries.  Their merchandise  exports and imports rose on average 
by 7.5 per cent in each quarter between April 20 09 and June 2011, whereas the corresponding growth 
for developed countries was 4.5 per cent. 
 
Chart 1:  World, developed and developing economies quarterly merchandise trade, 2007-2011 
 
(Billion dollars) 
050010001500200025003000350040004500
07Q1 08Q1 08Q2 08Q3 09Q1 10Q1 11Q1World exports Exports ImportsDeveloping economiesDeveloped economiesWorld exports
 
 
5. When looking at annual results, developing ec onomies' rapid recovery enabled them to 
register drops in their trade slightly lower than the world average in 2009, and to rebound much faster 
in 2010.  The magnitude of the drop and subse quent recovery was considerably larger for 
merchandise than for commercial services. 
                                                      
4 Hong Kong, China re-exports and imports for re-exports are excluded throughout the report. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 6  
 
  Chart 2:  World and developing economies' trad e in goods and commerci al services, 2000-2010 
 
(Annual percentage change) 
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30
Developing economies imports Developing economies exports World tradeMerchandise trade Trade in commercial services
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 302000-200820092010
 
 
6. One of the factors that amplified the drop and subsequent increase in merchandise trade 
compared to trade in services is the particular vol atility of fuel and primary commodity prices, which 
fell by 30 per cent in 2009 and rebounded by 26 per cent in 2010 (see Appendix Table 5).  Developing 
economies' merchandise exports, which comprise a la rge share of primary commodities (35 per cent 
in 2010), were particularly affected. 
7. Global manufacturing is another reason why merchandise trade fluctuated more than trade in 
commercial services.  A service is generally exch anged only once between its  producer and final 
consumer.  Conversely, intermedia te products are shipped from one country to another as they go 
through different production stages along fragmente d production chains.  Thus, while increases in 
global demand generally trigger larger increases in  cross-border movements of goods, the global 
recession resulted in a sharper drop in international merchandise trade flows.5 
B. DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' PARTICIPATION IN WORLD TRADE CONTINUED GROWING  
8. Before the onset of the global economic crisis, the participation of developing economies in 
world trade was at an historic high.  It had risen particularly fast since 2000, thanks to the accelerated 
growth in global manufacturing, booming commodity prices and the pivotal role played particularly 
by China, India and Brazil both as sources of s upply and demand.  From 2000 to 2008, the value of 
developing economies' trade in g oods and commercial services tripled, rising considerably faster than 
world trade. 
9. While historically developing economies have be en relatively more vulnerable to external 
shocks, the economic impact of this crisis was fo r the first time less severe for them than for 
developed economies.  Their share in world trade con tinued rising, gaining 3 to 4 percentage points in 
the period from 2008 to 2010.  In 2010, their merc handise exports accounted for over 40 per cent of 
world trade, 10 percentage points higher than ten years ago.  The rapid ec onomic growth in major 
developing economies resulted in considerable increases of their import's share in both trade in 
merchandise and commercial services.  Although their service sector is still, on average, less 
developed than in advanced econom ies, developing econom ies' exports now account for 31 per cent 
of the world's international transactions in commercial services. 
                                                      
5 Official statistics indeed capture "gross" movement  of goods across border.  There is currently a high 
interest in assessing trade in value-added, that is, the "net" contribution of each coun try and economy to the final 
value of globally-manufactured products.  To support the exchange of projects, experiences and practical 
approaches on this topic, the WTO recently launched the "Made In the World Initiative".  For further 
information see www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/miwi_e/miwi_e.htm .  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 7 
 
 
  Chart 3:  Share of developing economies in world trade, 2000-2010 
 
(Percentage) 
2025303540
Commercial service ex portsCommercial service im portsMerchandise im portsMerchandise ex ports
28%32%34%38%38%41%
36%
31%
 
 
10. Developing Asian economies were the engine of growth for developing economies' trade 
throughout the period from 2008 to 2010.  The share of the region's exports of goods and commercial 
services in world trade gained 3.2 percentage point s, whereas the corresponding gain for its imports 
was 3.5 percentage points.  China again registered  the most impressive performances.  It overtook 
Germany to become the world's l eading merchandise exporter in 2009, and expanded the share of its 
exports of goods and commercial services in world tr ade from 8.1 per cent in 2008 to 9.5 per cent in 
2010.  The contribution of its imports to world trade rose by 2 percentage points during that period, to reach 8.4 per cent. 
Table 1:  Developing economies' trade in goods and commercial services between 2000 and 2010:   
Asian economies lead the expansion6 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
  Exports  Imports 
  Value  Share in world  Value  Share in world 
  2010   2000 2008 2010  2010  2000 2008 2010        
Developing economiesa 7,269  30.0 36.6 39.4  6,803  28.2 33.8 37.7       
Developing Asiaa 4,452  17.3 21.0 24.2  4,196  16.6 19.7 23.3 
China 1,752  3.6 8.1 9.5  1,519  3.2 6.4 8.4 
India 349  0.8 1.6 1.9  440  0.9 2.0 2.4 
Other a 2,352  12.9 11.3 12.8  2,237  12.4 11.3 12.4 
Non-Asian developing 
economies 2,817  12.7 15.6 15.3  2,608  11.6 14.1 14.5 
Brazil 232  0.8 1.2 1.3  241  0.9 1.1 1.3      
Memorandum items            
Developed countries 10,488  67.9 59.3 56.9  10,705  70.4 63.0 59.4 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS) 677  2.1 4.1 3.7  522  1.4 3.2 2.9 
 aExcluding Hong Kong, China re-exports or imports for re-exports.   
 
11. The share of non-Asian developing economies'  exports in world trade decreased by 
0.4 percentage points.  The share of their impor ts, however, increased by 0.4 percentage points. 
                                                      
6 Shares provided in tables and charts throughout the report may not add up to totals due to rounding. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 8  
 
  III. MERCHANDISE TRADE DEVELOPMENTS 
A. T
OTAL TRADE DEVELOPMENTS DIFFERED WIDELY AMONG REGIONS  
12. The decline in developing economies' me rchandise export value in 2009 was strongly 
accentuated by their vulnerability to commodity price fl uctuations.  Quarterly data show that exports 
of Africa and the Middle East underwent fluctuations similar to commodity prices.  They began 
declining slightly in the third quarter of 2008 then  fell sharply in the following two quarters, losing 
54 per cent of their value between the third quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.  Exports and imports of other developing regions  began declining only one quarter la ter, and also fell abruptly until 
the first quarter of 2009.  While trade flows of al l developing regions began recovering in the second 
quarter of 2009, the rise was particularly pronoun ced for developing Asia's imports, which increased 
on average by 9 per cent each quarter from April 2009 to June 2011.  This rapid rise in demand 
contributed to lifting both commodity prices and the exports of Africa and Middle East, which also rose on average by 9 per cent each quarter. 
Chart 4:  Quarterly merchandise trade of developing economies by region, 2008-2011 
 
(Indices, 2008Q1=100) 
406080100120140
08Q3 09Q1 10Q1 10Q4 11Q2Africa and Middle East 
Exports Imports
 Commodity prices World trade08Q3 09Q1 10Q1 10Q4 11Q2Other developing economies
08Q3 09Q1 10Q1 10Q4 11Q2Developing Asia
 
 
13. All in all, the value of developing economie s' exports and imports were respectively 
21 per cent and 20 per cent lower in 2009 than the previous year.  In contrast with developed 
countries, this sharp decline resulted mainly from a drop in unit prices.  In volume terms, both exports 
and imports of developing economies dropped by only 8 per cent, while those of developed countries 
fell by about 15 per cent.  Conversely, developi ng economies' rapid recovery in 2010 was mainly 
driven by significant increases in  the volume of developing Asia's exports and imports, which rose by 
12 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. 
14. Developing Asia was thus the only region who se merchandise trade values were higher (by 
9 per cent) in 2010 than the pre-crisis 2008 level.  Most countries and economies in the region contributed to – and benefited from – this performan ce.  China, India, the six East Asian traders  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 9 
 
 
  (NICs6)7 as well as a large number of smaller economies r ecovered much faster than the rest of the 
world.  On the other hand, total exports and impor ts of non-Asian developi ng economies were still 
lower in 2010 than the 2008 levels, by 8 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.  Nonetheless, these 
shortfalls were significantly less pronounced  than those of developed countries and the 
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).  The CIS in particular, having suffered very severe 
declines in 2009 due to their reliance on fuel expor ts, were the most depressed in 2010.  The region's 
exports and imports were still 16 per cent and 17 per cent lower than th e 2008 level.  In comparison, 
the 2010 exports of Africa and the Middle East we re lower than the 2008 pre-crisis levels by 
9 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.   
Table 2:  Developing economies merchandise trade by regions and selected economies, 2008 2010 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Exports  Imports 
 Value  Annual % change  Value  Annual % change 
  2010   2009 2010   2010   2009 2010 
Developing economies a 6,096  -21 29  5,748  -20 29 
Latin America 875  -23 27  888  -25 30 
Developing Europe 146  -23 13  244  -30 23 Africa 508  -30 30  470  -15 15 
Middle East 895  -31 27  562  -15 10 
Developing Asia
a 3,672  -16 30  3,584  -19 34 
China  1,578  -16 31  1,395  -11 39 
NICs (6)a 1,502  -17 29  1,451  -24 33 
Other 593  -15 31  739  -21 29      
Memorandum items:               
Worlda 14,851  -23 22  15,077  -23 21 
Non-Asian developing 
economies 2,424  -28 27  2,164  -21 20 
Developed economies 8,166  -22 16  8,914  -25 16 Commonwealth of 
Independent States 588  -36 31  414  -33 24 
LDCs (49) 165   -25 30   175   -5 13 
 aExcluding Hong Kong, China re-exports or imports for re-exports. 
 
B. CHINA AND ASIA'S INTRA -REGIONAL TRADE STRENGTHENED SOUTH -SOUTH TRADE8 
15. South-South trade developments during the crisis  and its aftermaths evidenced the emergence 
of developing Asia as a new economic pole capa ble of supporting trade flows of developing 
economies.  While demand in North American and European economies collapsed, developing 
economies' exports to de veloped and CIS countries plunged by 25 per cent in 2009, much steeper than 
trade among developing economies, which decreased by 18 per cent.  In 2010, fuelled by the rebound 
in demand from developing Asia, South-South trade rose by a spectacular 32 per cent, considerably 
faster than trade with developed and CIS countries.  South-South trade now represents 49 per cent of developing economies' exports, 3 per centage points more than in 2008. 
16. Asia's trade with economies outsi de Asia had been the driving force behind South-South trade 
since the early 2000s.  Its expansion between 2008 and 2010, however, resulted mainly from the 
resilience of intra-Asian exchanges, which decr eased only by 13 per cent in 2009.  After having 
declined from 55 per cent in 2000 to 45 per cent in 2008 , the share of intra-Asia in South-South trade 
                                                      
7 The composition is provided in Appendix 8. 
8 Statistics described in this section are sourced from the WTO network of world merchandise trade, 
which is based on export data distributed by region and country.  As a result, "imports" of a particular region or 
country from a given partner refer to the partner's exports to this region or country. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 10  
 
  grew to reach 48 per cent in 2009 and remained st eady the following year.  China's intra-regional 
imports, 24 per cent up in 2010 compared with 2008,  were the most dynamic.  Other Asian 
economies' trade among themselves and their impor ts from China also posted sound performances, up 
by 11 per cent and 14 per cent respectively in the same period. 
Table 3:  Origins and destinations of developing economies' merchandise trade 
 by economic groupings, 2008-2010 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Percentage change  Share in world 
 2010  2009 2010 08-10a  2008 2009 2010 
Exports to developed and CIS 
countries 2,940  -25 27 -5  20 19 20 
Imports from developed and CIS 
countries  2,464  -17 26 4  15 16 17 
South-South trade, of which 2,987  -18 32 9  17 18 20 
Developing Asia          
Intra-regional trade 1,427  -13 33 15  8 9 10 
Imports from non-Asian developing economies 596  -25 39 4  4 4 4 
to China 211  -16 49 25  1 1 1 
to other developing Asia 384  -29 34 -5  3 2 3 
Exports to non-Asian 
developing economies 469  -17 33 10  3 3 3 
from China 220  -16 35 14  1 1 1 from other developing Asia 249  -19 31 6  1 2 2 
Trade among non-Asian 
developing economies 495  -21 23 -2  3 3 3       
Memorandum item          
World trade 14,851  -23 22 -6  100 100 100 
 a 2008-10: statistics on percentage change refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms 
rather than the average annual percentage change.  Data in  the 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
 
17. China's imports from non-Asian economies, which comprise mainly primary commodities, 
declined by 16 per cent in 2009 and rebounded in 2010 to exceed the 2008 value by 25 per cent.  
Latin America's trade with China was particularly dynamic.  Its exports increased by 7 per cent in 
2009 and by a robust 46 per cent in 2010.  China's e xports to Latin America decreased by 22 per cent 
then rose by 59 per cent in the same period. 
18. In contrast with China, other developing As ia's imports from developing economies outside 
Asia remained 5 per cent lower in 2010 than in  2008.  Trade among Latin America, Africa, the 
Middle East and developing European countries w as 2 per cent lower.  China and other Asian 
economies however increased their exports to de veloping economies outside  Asia between 2008 and 
2010, by 14 per cent and 6 per cent respectively. 
C. DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' PARTICIPATION IN WORLD TRADE INCREASED IN ALL PRODUCT 
CATEGORIES  
19. Economies in developing Asia saw their impor ts of agricultural products decline by only 
5 per cent in 2009, and then increase by 31 per cent th e following year, considerably faster than other 
regions.  The share of developing economies' im ports in world trade in agricultural products 
consequently gained 4 percentage points betw een 2008 and 2010, to reach 37 per cent.  All 
developing regions benefitted the increase in demand  from Asia and saw their agricultural exports 
increase faster than developed countries and the CIS in 2010.  Developing economies' market share in  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 11 
 
 
  world trade in agricultural products gained 3 percentage points, from 35 per cent in 2008 to 
38 per cent in 2010.   
20. Developing economies' fuel expor ts were still 17 per cent lower in 2010 than two years 
earlier, but their share in global trade in fuels rema ined unchanged, at 57 per cent.  Depressed demand 
from developed countries shifted considerably the direction of developing economies' fuel exports 
southward.  In 2010, South-South trade accounted  for 51 per cent of developing economies' fuel 
exports, which was 5 percentage poi nts higher than two years earlier.  On the import side, developing 
economies considerably increased their share in world trade in fuels, from 32 per cent in 2008 to 
38 per cent in 2010.  Remarkably, the share of de veloped countries in developing economies fuel 
imports rose from 13 per cent to 16 per cent between 2008 and 2010. 
21. China's imports of non-fuel minerals decreased by 9 per cent in 2009, whereas in the rest of 
the world they fell by 38 per cent.  China thus lif ted the share of developing economies' imports in 
world trade in fuels and minerals, from 39 per cent in 2008 to 46 per cent in 2010.  Latin American 
exports benefitted the most and saw their share in world trade rise from 15 per cent to 17 per cent. 
Table 4:  Developing economies merchandise trade by product, 2008-2010 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Exports  Imports 
 Value  Share in 
world  Annual % 
change  Value  Share in 
world  Annual % 
change 
 2010  08 10  09 10  2010  08 10  09 10 
All products 6,096  38 41  -21 29  5,748  34 38  -20 29 
Agricultural products 512  35 38  -11 23  507  33 37  -10 25 
Developing Asia 235  16 17  -15 31  270  16 20  -5 31 
Fuels 1,348  57 57  -36 31  882  32 38  -31 37 
Africa 284  12 12  -38 31  65  2 3  -23 35 
Middle East 596  26 25  -38 29  36  1 2  -28 26 Developing Asia 283  11 12  -31 36  628  23 27  -30 38 
Non-fuel minerals 277  38 41  -28 52  311  39 46  -19 45 
Latin America 118  15 17  -25 58  21  3 3  -41 59 Developing Asia 90  12 13  -28 49  250  30 37  -13 43 
Manufactures 3,779  34 38  -16 29  3,594  32 36  -15 27 
Developing Asia 3,006  26 30  -15 30  2,130  18 21  -12 32 
 aThe import structure is derived from the WTO network of world merchandise trade. 
 
22. Developing Asia's relative resilience to the cr isis and subsequent faster recovery also 
contributed considerably to increases in developing economies' share in world trade in manufactures.  
In 2010, the region's exports and imports repres ented 30 per cent and 21 per cent of world trade 
respectively, both up by 4 percentage points compar ed to 2008.  Whereas world trade in manufactures 
was still 4 per cent lower in 2010 than in 2008, the re gion's exports and imports  had fully recovered, 
and were respectively 10 per cent a nd 15 per cent higher than the levels registered two years earlier.  
Trade among developing Asian economi es recovered particularly fast and gained 17 per cent in 2010 
compared with 2008. 
23. China's manufacture exports were 11 per cent higher in 2010 than in 2008.  Exports of office 
and telecom equipment increased by 18 per cent an d those of other manufactured products rose by 
8 per cent.  India's exports of manufactured products  gained 12 per cent in 2010 compared with 2008 
due to a considerable growth in exports of tran sportation equipment, textiles and pharmaceuticals.  
Manufacture exports of the six East Asian traders we re 9 per cent higher compared to two years ago, 
mainly due to sound increases in exports of chem icals, office and telecom equipment, transport 
equipment and other machinery.  Bangladesh and Viet Nam registered outstanding export WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 12  
 
  performances in manufactures, which virtually did not decrease in 2009 and rose considerably in 
2010. 
24. Manufactured exports of the Middle East were 12 per cent higher in 2010 than 2008.  This 
remarkable performance was achieved thanks to the completion of large infrastructure projects and 
trade-facilitating administrative reforms in many co untries of the region (see the Annex).  Mexico's 
manufactured exports were up by 5 per cent in 2010 compared with 2008, due to a large increase in 
their share of the US import market from 10.6 per cent to 12.2 per cent.  Manufactured exports of other Latin American countries and developing Europe suffered the most  from the crisis and were still 
some 15 per cent lower in 2010 than the 2008 pre-crisis level. 
D. T
HE SHARE OF FUELS IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' EXPORTS SHRANK AS PRICES FELL AND 
MANUFACTURES EXPANDED  
Chart 5:  Monthly commodity price developments, 2008-2010 
 
(Indices, January 2008=100) 
 
406080100120140160
08m1 08m7 09m2 09m12 10m12Food and beverages Metals Energy All commodities
 
 
25. The drop in commodity prices was particularly abrupt during the crisis period.  Between 
July 2008 and February 2009, fuel prices dipped by  64 per cent.  Prices of metal and food plunged by 
43 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.  By Dece mber 2010, however, food prices had regained the 
level of the July 2008 peak, whereas metal prices , having rebounded very ra pidly, were 24 per cent 
above their pre-crisis level.  Only energy pri ces were still 33 per cent below their July 2008 level. 
26. Price developments over the period from 2009 to 2010 were favourable to many 
import-dependent economies, easing their trade de ficit.  Most non-fuel commodity exporters 
experienced an improvement in their terms of trade,  which were particularly worsened in 2008.  On 
the one hand, their exports were lifted by prices of  metals and export-oriented agricultural products 
(defined broadly as raw materials, coffee, cocoa, t ea and sugar), which were higher in 2010 than in 
2008 by 19 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.  On the other hand, prices of staple products like 
cereals and energy were on average considerab ly lower in 2010 than their level of 2008, by 
25 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Chart 6:  Selected flows in developing economies' trade and world prices, 2008-2010 
 
(Annual percentage change) 
- 4 0 - 3 0 - 2 0 - 1 00 1 02 03 04 05 06 0Fuel importsFood importsTotal exportsNon-fuel mineral
exportsFuel exportsRaw materials
exportsAfrica food exportsFood exportsDeveloping economies' exports/imports
2009 2010- 4 0 - 3 0 - 2 0 - 1 00 1 02 03 04 05 0EnergyCerealsDeveloping economies
export unit valueMetalsCrude petroleumAgricultural raw
materialsCoffee, cocoa, tea, sugarFood and beveragesWorld prices
2009 2010 
 
27. Commodity price changes influenced the product structure of developing economies' exports.  
Both exports of agricultural commodities and non-fuel  minerals were 10 per cent higher in 2010 than 
in 2008.  Fuelled by Asia's dynamic recovery, ma nufactured exports increased by 8 per cent in the 
two-year period and saw their share in developi ng economies' exports rise from 58 per cent to 
62 per cent.  Fuel exports were 17 per cent dow n from their 2008 level and their share fell by 
5 percentage points, reaching 22 per cent in 2010. 
Chart 7:  Product composition of developing economies' export, 2008 and 2010 
 
(Percentage) 
Food 7%Raw 
materials 
1%Fuels 
27%Non-fuel 
minerals 4%
Chemicals 
6%Office and 
telecom 
equipment 
15%Transport 
equipment 
6%Other 
machinery 
9%
Other 
manufacture 
22%58%2008
Manufactures
Food 7%Raw 
materials 
1%Fuels 
22%Non-fuel 
minerals 5%
Chemicals 
7%Office and 
telecom 
equipment 
16%Transport 
equipment 
7% Other 
machinery 
9%
Other 
manufacture 
23%62%2010
Manufactures
 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 14  
 
  E. D
EVELOPING ECONOMIES ' MERCHANDISE TRADE BY REGION  
28. Developing Asia posted remarkable trade perfo rmance during the crisis and its aftermaths 
thanks to a number of factors, including its re lative independence from deve loped countries, its low 
sensitivity to commodity price fluctuations, and the sizeable measures governments have taken in 
response to the crisis.  The region's exports decreased  by 16 per cent in 2009, considerably less than in 
the rest of the world, and rebounded by 30 per cent in 2010, while its imports soared by 34 per cent.  
Being by far the largest region among developing ec onomies, Asia thus lifted the group's share in 
world exports and imports to 41 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively.   
29. Non-Asian developing economies registered c onsiderably lower trade performances, although 
less severe than developed and CIS countries.  In 2010, their exports and imports were respectively 
8 per cent and 5 per cent lower than the levels in 2008.  While fuel prices hampered export 
performances of Africa and the Middle East, those of Latin America were held back by the depressed 
demand from the US, their main market, despite a c onsiderable rise in non-fuel mineral exports to 
China.  Developing Europe and North Africa were  even more severely hit by low demand from the 
European Union (EU), whose imports from non-EU countries rebounded by only 18 per cent in 2010, 
whereas those of the US rose by 23 per cent.  Remarkably, the LDCs fared on average better than 
non-Asian developing economies, as their exports and imports reached in 2010 levels respectively 
2 per cent less, and 7 per cent more, than in 2008. 
Table 5:  Developing economies merchandise trade by regions and selected economies, 2008 2010 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage change) 
 Exports  Imports 
 Value  Share in 
world  Annual % 
change  Value  Share in 
world  Annual % 
change 
 2010  08 10  09 10  2010  08 10  09 10 
Developing economies
a 6,096  38 41  -21 29  5,748  34 38  -20 29 
Latin America 875  6 6  -23 27  888  6 6  -25 30 
Mexico 298  2 2  -21 30  311  2 2  -24 29 Other Latin 
America 577  4 4  -24 26  578  4 4  -26 30 
Developing Europe 146  1 1  -23 13  244  2 2  -30 23 
Turkey 114  1 1  -23 12  186  1 1  -30 32 
Africa 508  4 3  -30 30  470  3 3  -15 15 
North Africa 165  1 1  -36 23  161  1 1  -11 10 
Sub-Saharan 
Africa 343  2 2  -27 33  309  2 2  -17 18 
South Africa 82  1 1  -24 33  94  1 1  -27 29 
Middle East 895  6 6  -31 27  562  4 4  -15 10 
Developing Asia
a 3,672  21 25  -16 30  3,584  20 24  -19 34 
China  1,578  9 11  -16 31  1,395  7 9  -11 39 
NICs (6)a 1,502  9 10  -17 29  1,451  9 10  -24 33 
Other 593  3 4  -15 31  739  4 5  -21 29        
Memorandum items:                       
Worlda 14,851  100 100  -23 22  15,077  100 100  -23 21 
Developed economies 8,166  57 55  -22 16  8,914  63 59  -25 16 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States 588  4 4  -36 31  414  3 3  -33 24 LDCs (49) 165   1 1   -25 30   175   1 1   -5 13 
aExcluding Hong Kong, China re-exports or imports for re-exports.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 15 
 
 
  1. Latin America 
Chart 8:  Latin America merchandise exports by destination, 2008 and 2010 
 
(Percentage) 
 
Other 5%18%Mexico to 
North 
America 
27%Europe 
(developed) 
15%
Intra-Latin 
America 
22%Other 
developing 
Asia 5%
China 5%
other 
developing 
4%35%2008
Other Latin 
America to 
North AmericaDeveloping 
economies
Other 5%15%Mexico to 
North 
America 
29%Europe 
(developed) 
14%
Intra-Latin 
America 
20%Other 
developing 
Asia 6%
China 8%
other 
developing 
4%38%2010
Other Latin 
America to 
North AmericaDeveloping 
economies
 
 
30. Despite its large endowment in primary co mmodities and its reliance on depressed North 
American markets, Latin America's export were only 2 per cent less in 2010 than two years earlier, a 
remarkable performance among non-As ian developing economies.  This  was mainly due to a large 
increase in exports of non-fuel minerals to Ch ina which in 2010 accounted for 4 per cent of the 
region's total exports after increasing consecutivel y by 31 per cent and by 58 per cent in 2009 and 
2010.  The considerable increase in Latin America's exports to developing Asia partly compensated a 
sharp fall in demand from North America and the EU , the region's main export markets.  Although 
Mexico's exports to North America gained 4 per cent from 2008 to 2010, those of other Latin 
American countries fell by 20 per cent and North America's share in the region's exports declined from 45 per cent to 43 per cent.  Intra-regional trad e also dropped sharply and saw its share in Latin 
America's exports shrink from 22 per cent to 20 per cent. 
31. Due to the sharp fall in prices, the region's fuel exports fell abruptly and were 19 per cent less 
in 2010 than in 2008.  The Bolivarian Republic  of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago were 
particularly affected and posted among the most  severe declines in their exports and imports. 
32. Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru and – despite being an oil exporter – Colombia registered positive 
export performances in 2010 compared with 2008, which lifted the region's merchandise trade.  On 
the other hand, most of the countries that experience d the sharpest drops in their exports and imports 
are Caribbean Islands.  Beside the oil-exporting Bo livarian Republic of Venezuela and Trinidad and 
Tobago; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenad a, the Bahamas, Montserrat, the Netherlands 
Antilles, and Jamaica are among the nine countries in the region whose exports fell by 20 per cent or 
more between 2008 and 2010. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 16  
 
  Table 6:  Summary indicators on Latin America merchandise trade, 2008-2010 
 
(Percentage and number) 
  Exports    Imports  
 2008-10a 2009 2010  2008-10a 2009 2010 
Trade value, % change -2 -23 27  -3 -25 30 
Trade volume, % change -1 -10 10  1 -18 23     
Economies with value growth higher 
than world trade (number, total= 39) 24 29 13  22 26 12     
Main traders (% change)        
  Mexico 2 -21 30  -2 -24 29 
  Brazil 2 -23 32  5 -27 43 
  Chile 7 -18 32  -5 -31 38   Argentina -3 -21 22  -2 -32 46 
  Bolivarian Rep.  of Venezuela -31 -39 14  -18 -18 1 
Above 5, share in the region - 80 81  - 73 74     
Region trade by product (% change)        
  Agricultural products 5 -10 17  -4 -20 21 
  Fuels -19 -35 26  -7 -34 42   Other mining products 18 -25 58  -7 -41 59 
  Manufactures -4 -23 25  4 -21 32     
Product share in region's trade (%)        
  Agricultural products - 23 21  - 10 9 
  Fuels - 20 20  - 13 14 
  Other mining products - 11 13  - 2 2   Manufactures - 43 43  - 72 72 
 a 2008-10: statistics on percentage change refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms 
rather than the average annual percentage change.  Data in  the 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
 
2. Developing Europe 
Chart 9:  Developing Europe merchandise exports by destination, 2008 and 2010 
 
(Percentage) 
 
Other 6%Europe 
(developed) 
53%CIS 9%
Intra-
developing Europe 8%Africa 6%Other 
developing 
4%
Middle 
East 14%
31%2008
Developing 
economies
Other 6%Europe 
(developed) 
52%CIS 8%
Intra-
developing Europe 7%Africa 7%Other 
developing 
6%
Middle 
East 15%
34%2010
Developing 
economies
 
  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 17 
 
 
  33. In 2010, developing Europe's exports and impor ts were still 13 per cent and 14 per cent lower 
than in 2008, due to their tight links with the de pressed European economies.  However, in terms of 
euros (the currency in which most of the region' s exchanges take place), the corresponding decreases 
are only 4 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. 
34. Exports of five countries out of the region's seven fell by more than 11 per cent in 2010 
compared with 2008.  Those of Turkey, which accounts for about three quarters of both the region's 
exports and imports, registered a 14 per cent dec line.  While Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports 
dropped only by 4 per cent, Albania posted an outst anding performance as its exports soared by 
42 per cent in 2010 after decreasing by 20 per cent in  2009.  In 2010, the country not only benefitted 
from the spectacular rise in iron ore prices but also doubled its exports of petroleum and tripled those 
of electricity. 
35. Other than Turkey and Albania, whose 2010 imports were respectively 8 per cent and 
12 per cent down on their 2008 level, all developing  European countries saw their imports drop by 
more than 20 per cent.  Montenegro registered par ticularly severe declines in its merchandise trade as 
its exports and imports fell respectiv ely by 29 per cent and 41 per cent. 
Table 7:  Summary indicators on developing Europe merchandise trade, 2008-2010 
 
(Percentage and number) 
  Exports    Imports  
 2008-10a 2009 2010  2008-10a 2009 2010 
Trade value, % change -13 -23 13  -14 -30 23 
Trade volume, % change 0 -6 7  -4 -16 15     
Economies with value growth higher 
than world trade (number, total= 7) 2 2 2  0 1 1     
Main traders (% change)        
  Turkey -14 -23 12  -8 -30 32   Croatia -16 -26 13  -35 -31 -5 
  Serbia -11 -24 17  -31 -34 4 
Above 3, share in the region - 94 93  - 90 91     
Region trade by product (% change)        
  Agricultural products 7 -5 13  2 -19 27 
  Fuels -28 -39 18  -24 -43 34   Other mining products 4 -33 56  5 -38 69 
  Manufactures -15 -25 13  -9 -26 23     
Product share in region's trade (%)        
  Agricultural products - 12 12  - 9 9 
  Fuels - 5 5  - 16 16 
  Other mining products - 4 5  - 5 7 
  Manufactures - 73 74  - 68 65 
 a 2008-10: statistics on percentage change refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms 
rather than the average annual percentage change.  Data in the 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes. 
 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 18  
 
  3. Africa 
Chart 10:  Africa merchandise exports by destination, 2008 and 2010 
 
(Percentage) 
Other 6%Europe 
(developed) 
39%North 
America 
(excl. 
Mexico) 
21%
Other 
developing 
Asia 9%China 9%Other 
developing 
7%
Intra-
Africa 9% 34%2008
Developing 
economies
Other 7%Europe 
(developed) 
35%North 
America 
(excl. 
Mexico) 
17%
Other 
developing 
Asia 10%China 12%Other 
developing 
8%
Intra-
Africa 12% 42%2010
Developing 
economies
 
 
36. Africa's fuel exports to developed countries,  which made up 44 per cent of the region's total 
exports in 2008, fell by 31 per cent in 2010 compared  with two years earlier.  Thus, despite substantial 
increases in total exports to China and intra-regiona l trade, the region's total exports were, in 2010, 
9 per cent down from their 2008 level.   
Table 8:  Summary indicators on Africa merchandise trade, 2008-2010 
 
(Percentage and number) 
  Exports    Imports  
 2008-10a 2009 2010  2008-10a 2009 2010 
Trade value, % change -9 -30 30  -2 -15 15 
Trade volume, % change 1 -4 5  3 -5 8     
Economies with value growth higher 
than world trade (number, total= 53) 35 36 27  40 46 10     
Main traders (% change)        
  Oil and gas exporters (8)b -17 -39 35  0 -9 10 
  South Africa 1 -24 33  -6 -27 29 
  Egypt 1 -12 15  9 -7 18   Morocco -14 -31 25  -17 -22 7 
  Tunisia -15 -25 14  -10 -22 16 
Above 12, share in the region - 81 82  - 73 73     
Region trade by product (% change)        
  Agricultural products 21 0 21  4 -13 20 
  Fuels -19 -38 31  4 -23 35 
  Other mining products 7 -28 49  -14 -40 45   Manufactures -5 -24 25  -2 -12 11     
Product share in region's trade (%)        
  Agricultural products - 12 11  - 15 15 
  Fuels - 56 56  - 12 14   Other mining products - 8 10  - 2 2 
  Manufactures - 19 19  - 68 65 
 a 2008-10: statistics on percentage change refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms 
rather than the average annual percentage change.  Data in  the 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.
 bAlgeria, Angola, Chad, Equatorial Guin ea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria and Sudan. 
  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 19 
 
 
  37. With the exception of South Africa and Egypt, the largest African economies recorded the 
steepest declines in their exports.  Those of oil and gas exporters shrank by 17 per cent, whereas 
Morocco and Tunisia's exports dec lined by about 15 per cent in 2010 compared with 2008, as a result 
of the severe economic slowdown in Europe.  Nevert heless, most of the other 41 smaller economies 
benefitted from favourable non-fuel commodity prices.  Only 12 of them saw their exports decrease 
by more than 5 per cent, and 23 registered a pos itive export growth over this period, including 
18 LDCs. 
38. Africa's import fluctuations were remarkab ly moderate over the period, declining by 
15 per cent in 2009 then rebounding by 15 per cent in 2010.  Among othe r reasons, oil and gas 
producers' imports were on average at the same leve l in 2010 as in 2008, despite the sharp cut in their 
export revenue. 
4. Middle East 
Table 9:  Summary indicators on Middle East merchandise trade, 2008-2010 
 
(Percentage and number) 
  Exports    Imports  
 2008-10a 2009 2010  2008-10a 2009 2010 
Trade value, % change -13 -31 27  -6 -15 10 
Trade volume, % change 1 -5 6  -3 -8 5     
Economies with value growth higher 
than world trade (number, total= 13) 5 4 9  4 11 3     
Main traders (% change)        
  United Arab Emirates -8 -23 19  -10 -15 7 
  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -20 -39 30  -16 -17 2 
  Iran, Islamic Rep.  of -12 -31 28  13 -12 28   Israel -5 -22 22  -10 -27 24 
  Iraq -14 -32 26  29 12 15 
Above 5, share in the region - 77 76  - 75 76     
Region trade by product (% change)        
  Agricultural products 2 -11 15  5 -9 16   Fuels -20 -38 29  -10 -28 26 
  Other mining products -20 -45 44  -7 -34 40 
  Manufactures 12 -14 30  -5 -16 13     
Product share in region's trade (%)        
  Agricultural products - 3 2  - 13 13 
  Fuels - 65 67  - 6 6   Other mining products - 1 1  - 2 2 
  Manufactures - 21 22  - 76 75 
 a 2008-10: statistics on percentage change refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms 
rather than the average annual percentage change.  Data in  the 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
 
39. The Middle East increased considerably its ma nufacture exports to developing Asia and its 
intra-regional trade, in 2010 compared with 2008, bu t its fuel exports to developed countries and to 
developing Asia fell by 28 per cent and by 16 per cent, respectively.  The region's total exports 
consequently dropped by 13 per cent, and the shar e of developing economies as a destination for 
Middle East products increased from 51 per cent to 55 per cent. 
40. While most of the region's oil producers saw the value of their exports fall, Yemen and Qatar 
registered outstanding performances by considerably  increasing their output of Liquefied Natural Gas 
(LNG) in 2010.  Their exports rose respectively by 39  per cent and 51 per cent in 2010 to reach levels 
15 per cent and 10 per cent higher than in 2008.  Lebanon also resisted particularly well to the crisis.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 20  
 
  In 2009, its exports and imports  decreased only by 6 per cent and by 1 per cent respectively and 
reached in 2010 levels 13 per cent and 10 per cent higher than two years earlier. 
41. In contrast with other regions except Africa, Mi ddle East imports recorded particularly mild 
yearly fluctuations.  They decreased by  6 per cent in 2010 compared with 2008. 
Chart 11:  Middle East merchandise exports by destination, 2008 and 2010 
 
(Percentage) 
Other 13%Europe 
(developed) 
11%Developed 
Asia 15%N. America 
(excl. 
Mexico) 
11%
China 7%Other 
developing 
Asia 30%
M. East 
8%
other 
developing 
5%51%2008
Developing 
economies
Other 13%Europe 
(developed) 
11%Developed 
Asia 13%N. America 
(excl. 
Mexico) 
9%
China 9%Other 
developing 
Asia 31%
M. East 
10%
other 
developing 
5%55%2010
Developing 
economies
 
 
5. Developing Asia 
Chart 12:  China and developing Asia's merchandise trade developments contrasted 
with the rest of the world between 2008 and 2010 
 
(Annual percentage change) 
-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40WorldDeveloped EconomiesNon-Asian developing
economiesOther developing AsiaChinaExports
2009 2010- 4 0- 3 0- 2 0- 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0WorldDeveloped EconomiesNon-Asian developing
economiesOther developing AsiaChinaImports
2009 2010
 
  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 21 
 
 
  42. Developing Asia was the only region whose exports  and imports were higher, by 9 per cent, 
in 2010 than in 2008.  China's economic stimulus  programme, which led to a 23 per cent increase in 
the country's imports, certainly played a major role  in the region's performance.  Other developing 
Asia's imports were just 2 per cent higher in 2010 than in 2008. 
43. Beyond the effect of China's stimulus program  however, developing Asia 's remarkable trade 
performance during the crisis and its aftermath confirms that the region's economies, in particular 
China and India, have a sufficiently sound domestic  consumer base to resist economic turmoil in 
developed countries.  The region's remarkable r esilience compared with other developing economies 
also stemmed from its low sensitiv ity to commodity price fluctuations (manufactures represent 
82 per cent of its exports in 2010) as well as th e strength of intra-regional commercial links.   
44. Most of the region's large and medium-sized  economies recorded sound increases in their 
exports in 2010 compared with 2008.  The six E ast Asian traders saw their exports increase by 
7 per cent, and only Malaysia's stagnated.  Cambodi a's exports also registered a 7 per cent growth 
while those of China, India, Indonesia, Viet Nam and Bangladesh rose by more than 10 per cent.  
Fourteen economies in the region, including 11 small P acific islands, registered drops in their exports 
that exceeded 10 per cent. 
Table 10:  Summary indicators on developing Asia merchandise trade, 2008-2010 
 
(Percentage and number) 
  Exports    Imports  
 2008-10a 2009 2010  2008-10a 2009 2010 
Trade value, % change 9 -16 30  9 -19 34 
Trade volume, % change 13 -8 23  13 -6 20     
Economies with value growth higher 
than world trade (number, total= 45) 30 29 25  35 32 27     
Main traders (% change)        
  China 10 -16 31  23 -11 39 
  NICs (6) 7 -17 29  1 -24 33 
  India 13 -15 33  2 -20 27   Indonesia 13 -14 32  4 -29 46 
  Viet Nam 15 -9 26  5 -13 21 
Above 10, share in the region - 96 96  - 94 95     
Region trade by product (% change)        
  Agricultural products 12 -15 31  25 -5 31 
  Fuels -7 -31 36  -4 -30 38   Other mining products 8 -28 49  25 -13 43 
  Manufactures 10 -15 30  15 -12 32     
Product share in region's trade (%)        
  Agricultural products - 6 6  - 8 8 
  Fuels - 7 8  - 18 19 
  Other mining products - 2 2  - 7 7   Manufactures - 82 82  - 64 63 
 a 2008-10: statistics on percentage change refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms 
rather than the average annual percentage change.  Data in  the 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
Note :  Hong Kong re-exports and imports  for re-exports are excluded. 
 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 22  
 
  IV. TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES 
A. D
ATA AVAILABILITY - A WORD OF CAUTION  
45. Over recent years, the number of developing economies reporting services transactions in 
their Balance of Payments (BOP) increased signifi cantly, in particular those compiling them on a 
quarterly basis.  Yet, despite progress, the lack of  data remains a problem.  For example, for many 
African and Middle Eastern countries, the absence  of a detailed services breakdown does not allow 
the provision of estimates of their trade in importa nt sectors such as construction, financial services, 
or insurance. 
46. Very few economies publish bilateral trade flow s in commercial services, thus, for tracking 
the direction of their trade, the main source of information is currently developed economies' mirror 
data.  Finally, to the Secretariat's knowledge, l ess than a handful of developing economies compile 
Foreign Affiliates Trade Statistics (FATS), usef ul for assessing the importance of GATS mode 3 
(commercial presence).9 
B. PARTICIPATION OF DEVELOPING ECONOMIES IN TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES BY SECTOR  
47. Estimates based on BOP statistics suggest that  developed economies continue to dominate 
world trade in commercial services.  However, th e overall participation of developing economies is 
rising steadily.  In 2010, developing economies a ccounted for 31 per cent of world exports of 
commercial services compared to 28 per cent in 2008 , and 24.5 per cent in 2000.   Participation varies 
considerably by type of service.  The highest expor ts shares were recorded in construction and travel 
(40 per cent and above) while in computer and in formation services, transport, and other business 
services they ranged between 30 and 37 per cent.10 
Chart 13:  Respective shares of developing, developed and CIS economies' exports  
in world trade by category of commercial services, 2010 
 
(Percentage) 
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Developing economies Developed economies CIS
 
                                                      
9 For recent developments in services trade da ta compilation and availability, see document 
S/C/W/329. 
10 The analysis is mainly focused on services exports due to the better quality of these statistics.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 23 
 
 
  48. In 2010, around 42 per cent of world constructi on exports came from developing economies, 
up from 35 per cent in 2008.  Exports originated predominantly from developing Asia (37 per cent) 
where China and the Republic of Korea became the second and third leading global constructors.  In 
2010, the two economies accounted together for 28 pe r cent of word construction exports on a BOP 
basis.  The bulk of their overseas construction wo rk targeted other developing economies.  For 
example, China's construction exports  were boosted by several infrastru ctural projects in Africa, while 
the Republic of Korea was mainly active in build ing industry plants in Middle Eastern countries. 
49. In 2010, developing economies accounted for some 40 per cent of global travel exports 
compared to 35 per cent in 2008.  Much of this expansion stems from higher travel earnings by developing Asian economies.  Macao, China, in pa rticular, developed into an important touristic 
destination for gaming services, and, in 2010, it became the fifth leading travel exporter in the world.  
The participation of Middle Eastern countries also rose due to a booming tourism industry in the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.   Despite robust growth in Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco, 
Africa's share in world travel exports was stable at 4 per cent. 
50. In general, travel receipts remain an importa nt source of revenue for the developing group.  
For developing European countries, which include Tu rkey and Croatia, in 2010, travel revenues made 
up for almost two thirds of their total exports of commercial services.  For Africa the share was also 
high, around 50 per cent.  In the Middle East the contribution of travel increased from 36 per cent in 
2008 to 44 per cent in 2010. 
51. Developing economies play a prominent role in e xports of computer and information services.  
In 2010, their participation climbed to 37 per cent, compared to 30 per cent in 2008.  Developing Asia 
accounted for the largest part (30 per cent) followe d by Latin America (2 per cent).  Developing 
economies' contribution in this was concentrated, how ever, in a few countries.  In 2009, the first three 
leading exporters (India, China and Israel) accounted for the vast majority of the developing group's 
exports, and one quarter of world exports.  India alone contributed 18 per cent of global exports of 
computer and information services. 
52. In 2010, one third of world exports of tran sportation services originated from the developing 
economies, of which 23 per cent from developing Asia .  Transport is one of the most important 
service sectors for the developing group, represen ting some 23 per cent of their total exports of 
commercial services in 2010.  The Republic of Ko rea was the leading exporter, followed by China 
and Singapore.  According to UNCTAD's Review of Maritime Transport 2010 , more than 60 per cent 
of international seaborne trade originates from developing economies. 
53. In 2010, the contribution by developing economies to world exports of other business services 
reached 30 per cent, up from 27 per cent in 2008.
11 One quarter of global exports came from 
developing Asia.  Most of the receipts of de veloping Asian economies in the Far-East, such as 
Hong Kong, China;  Singapore;  and China were generated by merchanting and other trade-related 
services.  By contrast, in Southern Asia over 90 per cent of India's, the Philippines', and Malaysia's 
exports related to business, professional and tec hnical services.  These ec onomies recently became 
attractive Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) locati ons providing various types of services remotely 
(customer services, auditing, accounting, etc.).  For developing Asian economies, exports of other 
business services represent 30 per cent of their total commercial services receipts, a higher share than 
in the developed group.  Other business services exports, largely of business, professional, and 
technical services, are on the rise also in Latin Ameri ca.  In 2010, Brazil accounted for 1.7 per cent of 
global exports of other business services. 
                                                      
11 In the 5th edition of the IMF Balance of Payments services  classification, the category "other business 
services" covers international transactions in:  (i) mercha nting and other trade-related services;  (ii) operational 
leasing services;  and (iii) miscellaneous bus iness, professional and technical services. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 24  
 
  54. In some services sectors, such as finance, insurance, as well as communications, the 
contribution by developing economies to world tr ade is more modest, around 20 per cent.  In 
communications services, in particular, developing  economies' input declin ed in 2010, reflecting 
lower telecommunications costs especially in China and India.  Finally, with only 7 per cent of global 
receipts accrued to the developing economies, roya lties and licence fees was th e sector with their 
lowest participation rate.  The Republic of Korea was the largest recipient within the developing 
group, with a share in world exports of 1.3 per cent. 
55. Between 2008 and 2010, the share of developi ng economies in world imports of commercial 
services increased from 32.1 per cent to 35.7 per cent.  In particular, their contribution to global 
imports of transportation services rose from 43 per cent to around 47 per cent in 2010, with the 
biggest importers being in de veloping Asia and Africa. 
56. Available data suggests that developing economies benefit more from international travel.  In 
2010, their travel expenditure accounted for 35 per cent of world travel imports, up from 30 per cent 
in 2008.  For example, in 2009, despite the economic  crisis, China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 
the two largest travel spenders in the group, augmen ted their expenditure abroad by 21 per cent and 
35 per cent. 
57. Compared to 2008, developing economies' share in world imports of "other commercial 
services" also increased, reaching 30 per cent.  This rise was predominantly due to developing Asia's 
expanding imports.  However, due to data issues, it is not possible to assess the contribution of 
individual service sub-sectors. 
Chart 14:  Respective shares of developing, developed and CIS economies' imports in world trade  
by category of commercial services, 2010  
 
(Percentage) 
46.7
34.830.0
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Transport Travel Other commercial servicesDeveloping economies Developed economies CIS
 
 
  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 25 
 
 
  C. THE GLOBAL CRISIS AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ' TRADE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICES  
58. Following a robust increase in 2008, developi ng economies' trade in commercial services 
declined by 9 per cent in 2009 as a result of the gl obal economic downturn.  Within the group, Middle 
Eastern countries were the least affected with ex ports contracting by 3 per cent and imports by 
8 per cent respectively.12 
Chart 15:  Trade in commercial services by economic grouping, 2008-2010 
 
(Billion dollars) 
1063 9631142
2008 2009 2010Exports
Developing economies CIS1162 10551254
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,500
2008 2009 2010Imports
Developed economies
 
 
59. The transport sector, along with finance, was seve rely hit by the crisis.  In 2009, following the 
decline in merchandise trade, developing economies'  transport exports dropped by 23 per cent and 
imports by 19 per cent.  In developing Asian ec onomies, the fall was pronounced, with exports from 
China and the Republic of Korea collapsing by almost 40 per cent.  In Egypt and Chile, the leading 
exporters in Africa and Latin America, exports plunged.   
                                                      
12 For a detailed description of trade flows in commercial services 2000-2010 by region and by sector, 
see document S/C/W/329/Add.1. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 26  
 
  Table 11:  Trade in commercial services by region and selected economies, 2008-2010 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
  Exports  Imports 
  2010  Annual % 
change  2010  Annual % 
change 
  Value Share 
/world   2009 2010   Value Share 
/world   2009 2010 
Developing economies  1,142 30.9  -9 19  1,254 35.7  -9 19 
Latin America 127 3.4  -9 10  158 4.5  -9 20 
Brazil 30 0.8  -9 15  60 1.7  -1 36 
Developing Europe 54 1.5  -10 0  29 0.8  -10 9 
Turkey 33 0.9  -5 2  18 0.5  -6 18 
Africa 85 2.3  -9 10  139 4.0  -11 10 
Egypt 24 0.6  -14 11  13 0.4  -22 2 
Middle East 97 2.6  -3 3  184 5.2  -8 9 
Israel 25 0.7  -10 12  18 0.5  -14 5 
Developing Asia  780 21.1  -10 25  743 21.2  -9 24 
China 170 4.6  -12 32  192 5.5  0 22 
India 123 3.3  -13 33  116 3.3  -9 45     
Memorandum items                
World  3,693 100.0  -12 9  3,511 100.0  -11 9 
Developed 
economies 2,471 66.9  -13 5  2,150 61.2  -12 4 Commonwealth of 
Independent States 79 2.1  -17 12  107 3.0  -19 16 
LDCs (49) 19 0.5   -3 10   55 1.6   -7 8 
 
60. In general, developing economies reacted bette r than developed economies to the worsening 
of economic conditions.  In 2009, their commercial ser vices trade contracted much less than in the 
developed group.  Yet, quarterly statistics show that, in the first half of 2008, before the onset of the 
financial crisis, developing a nd developed economies' commercial services exports were progressing 
at a similar pace.    WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 27 
 
 
  Chart 16:  Half-yearly exports of commercial services by economic groupings, 2008-2010 
 
(Percentage change, year-on-year) 
-20-15-10-50510152025
1st half 2008 2nd half 2008 1st half 2009 2nd half 2009 1st half 2010 2nd half 2010 Developing economies Developed economies
 
 
61. To some extent, one of the reasons for this  divergent performance could be the slightly 
different structure of developed and developing econo mies' commercial services trade, and how these 
sectors reacted to the adverse economic context. 
62. For example, travel accounts for one third of developing economies' total commercial services 
exports compared to some 22 per cent in develo ped economies.  In 2009, developing economies' 
travel exports declined by 4 per cent, a fall less pr onounced than in the developed group (12 per cent).  
The economic downturn hit heavily the tourism sector , in particular, of many small island economies 
such as the Maldives, Mauritius, and the Caribbean , dependent on the European and US markets.  
However, several developing economies continued to  run positive growth.  Middle Eastern countries 
were only marginally affected by the crisis as intr aregional tourism intensified.  In 2009, Lebanon's 
travel receipts rose by 16 per cent and the United Arab Emirates' by 3 per cent.  Similarly, in 
developing Asia, Macao, China, the second largest tr avel exporter in the developing group, recorded a 
7 per cent rise thanks to the high number of vis itors predominantly from China, and Hong Kong, 
China. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 28  
 
  Chart 17:  Structure of developed and developing economies' commercial services exports, 2010 
(Percentage) 
Transport
23%
Travel
33%Communi-
cations 
services
2%Construc-
tion
3%Insurance 
services
1%Financial 
services
4%Computer 
and 
informa-
tion 
services
7%Royalties 
and licence 
fees
1%Other 
business 
services
25%Personal, 
cultural, 
and recrea-
tional 
services
0.5%Developing economies
Transport
20%
Travel
22%
Communi-
cations 
services
3%Construc-
tion
2%Insurance 
services
3%Financial 
services
9%Computer 
and 
informa-
tion 
services
5%Royalties 
and licence 
fees
9% Other 
business 
services
26%Personal, 
cultural, 
and recrea-
tional 
services
1%Developed economies
 
 
63. Moreover, computer and information services, which gradually gained importance in 
developing economies' services receipts, contracted only by 2 per cent in 2009.  In general, the IT 
sector proved resilient to the global crisis.  Sustai ned by a steady demand for innovative software, cost 
efficient technologies and the need to address IT security concerns, several developing economies recorded double-digit growth.  In 2009, in the Ph ilippines and Malaysia, computer services exports 
expanded by 52 per cent and 42 per cent respectively.  In India, the leading exporter, IT services 
exports rose by 8 per cent in the fiscal year 2009-20 10 (April 2009-March 2010), at the trough of the 
crisis.
13  Mirror data of the US and the EU, which show rising imports of computer services from 
India, appear to confirm this trend.  A similar positive trade pattern was obs erved in Latin America, 
where, in 2009, Argentina's and Costa Rica's computer services exports rose by 18 per cent and by 11 per cent. 
64. Furthermore, the basket category "other bus iness services", which represents a quarter of 
developing economies' exports, dec lined by 5 per cent during the recession, compared to a 10 per cent 
drop in the developed group.  The slowdown in me rchanting and trade-rela ted services in many 
developing economies, resulting from the drop in me rchandise trade, is largely responsible for this 
decline.  As a matter of fact, the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry coped well with the deteriorating economic conditions and the expor ts of developing economies engaged in these 
activities continued to grow.  For example, in the Philippines, exports of business, professional, and 
technical services were up by 25 per cent and in Ch ina by 3 per cent in 2009.  In India, IT-enabled 
BPO services receipts rose by 6 per cent in the fiscal year 2009-2010 (April 2009-March 2010). 
65. The last example can be provided by the fina nce sector.  Financial services exports represent, 
on average, some 4 per cent of developing economie s' total commercial servi ces exports, roughly half 
than in the developed group.  The financial crisis resulted in a sharp drop in world trade in financial 
services.  Transactions declined both in the developed and the developing economies.  Nevertheless, 
the overall impact of these events was less severe on the developing group.  In Hong Kong, China and 
in Singapore, which account together for more than  half of the developi ng economies' financial 
services receipts, exports decreased by 6 and 7 per cent respectively.  By comparison, in the EU financial services exports plummeted by 20 per cent. 
                                                      
13 Reserve Bank of India, Monthly Bulletin August 2011 .  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 29 
 
 
  66. According to estimates, in 2010, developi ng economies' trade in commercial services 
rebounded strongly (by 19 per cent).  Fuelled by  rising merchandise trade flows, trade in 
transportation services recovered rapidly (by 23 per cen t).  In developing Asia, increased port activity 
boosted China's exports by 45 per cent,  and the Republic of Korea's by 33 per cent.  However, the two 
economies' exports remained significantly below pre-cr isis levels, while other leading exporters in the 
group, such as Hong Kong, China and India were ab le to even exceed their 2008 export values.   
Chart 18:  Exports of transportation services in selected developing economies, 2008-2010 
 
(Billion dollars) 
01020304050
Korea,
Republic ofChina Singapore Hong Kong,
ChinaIndia Taipei,
ChineseTurkey Egypt Chile2008 2009 2010
 
 
67. Developing economies' tourism sector fully rec overed in 2010, with receipts up on average by 
17 per cent.  In developing Asia and the Middl e Eastern countries travel exports increased 
respectively by 26 per cent and 18 per cent.  By comparison, growth was less dynamic in Africa 
where Tunisia's travel receipts continued to contr act and Morocco's stagnated.   In developing Europe, 
despite a higher number of foreign travellers to  Turkey and Croatia, travel receipts declined. 
68. Computer and information services, other bus iness services, and construction continued to 
thrive in the developing group.  In particular, e xports of computer and information services increased 
by more than 30 per cent in 2010 with China's exports increasing by 42 per cent and Costa Rica by 
60 per cent.  India's IT services exports rose by  23 per cent in the fiscal year 2010-2011 
(April 2010-March 2011).  Developing economies' othe r business and construction exports were up 
by 18 per cent and 13 per cent respectively, the latter boosted by China's escalating construction 
revenues. 
69. In 2010, turmoil in the financial markets and st alled growth in many developed countries, in 
particular in Europe, contributed to further enla rge the difference between developing and developed 
countries' trade performance.  According to preliminar y estimates this trend continued in the first half 
of 2011. 
V. OUTLOOK FOR DEVELOPING ECONOMIES IN 2011 
70. In the first two quarters of 2011, the recovery of the world economy proceeded but its pace 
was disappointing, especially in developed economies.  Output growth slowed to a crawl in the US 
and the risk of sovereign default in the euro area weighed heavily on economies in Europe and 
beyond.  The impact of slower growth was also visi ble in trade flows, which levelled off by mid-year 
in many countries including developing ones.  Th e moderation of trade and the increased risk of 
recession in developed economies prompted the WT O to revise its April forecast for world trade WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 30  
 
  downwards from 6.5 per cent to 5.8 per cent.  Howe ver, the organization still expects export growth 
for the year to be much higher in developing economies than elsewhere. 
71. In its revised forecast, the WTO projected me rchandise export volume growth of 3.7 per cent 
in developed economies and 8.5 per cent in deve loping economies and CIS combined.  CIS exports 
are less than one tenth as large as those of developing economies, so the figure for developing 
economies alone should only differ slightly from th e combined figure.  The WTO does not publish a 
separate trade forecast for developing economies, but assuming CIS export growth in line with IMF 
projections implies an increase of about 8.7 per cent for developing economies in 2011. 
Table 12:  World merchandise trade volume and GDP, 2008-2011a 
 
(Annual percentage change) 
 2008 2009 2010 2011a 
Volume of world exports     
World 2.3 -12.1 14.1 5.8 
Developed economies 0.9 -15.2 13.0 3.7 
Developing economies and CIS 4.6 -7.5 16.1 8.5 
of which: Developing economies 4.7 -7.7 16.4 8.7 
     
Real GDP at market exchange rates     
World 1.3 -2.6 3.7 2.5 
Developed economies 0.1 -4.0 2.7 1.5 
Developing economies and CIS 5.6 2.1 7.1 5.9 
of which: Developing economies 5.4 2.7 7.4 6.0 
 a Figures for 2011 are projections  
Source :  WTO Secretariat estimates, IMF for 2011 e xports of CIS, consensus estimates for GDP. 
 
72. At the time this report was prepared the world economy was at a critical juncture, with a very 
real risk of further deterioration.  If worst-case sc enarios did occur (e.g. a Greek default or a recession 
in the US) developing economies would not remain  unaffected.  Developed economies' demand for 
goods from developing countries might fall sharply, but the drop would probably not be as severe as in 2009 since the element of su rprise from the crisis would be much less.  Prices of primary 
commodities would also decline, which would ha ve a disproportionate impact on developing 
countries that export natural resources.  However, at the moment the most likely outcome remains a two-speed recovery, with even more sluggish grow th in developed economies and reduced but still 
dynamic growth in developing economies.    WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 31 
 
 
  ANNEX 
THE DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENT FOR TRADING ACROSS BORDERS  
1. This annex is based on the Doing Busi ness database and the 2010 and 2011 reports, 
co-published by The World Bank and the Internationa l Finance Corporation.  Most information is 
drawn from the "Trading across borders" chapter.  Th e complete database and reports can be found at 
http://www.doingbusiness.org . 
2. Trade facilitation has become an important part of governments' strategies to increase national 
competitiveness and diversify exports, often support ed by multilateral organizations.  The trading 
environment which exporters face within their ow n country influences their competitiveness at least 
as much as access conditions in their export markets.   Transport and communication infrastructure, 
the banking system, as well as domestic regulations and trade-related bureaucracy are determinant 
factors of enterprises' costs and ability to respond to external demand in a timely fashion.  A study in 
Sub-Saharan Africa finds that a 10 per cent reduction in exporting costs increases exports by 4.7 per cent, a greater impact than would come fro m further reductions in tariffs by richer economies.
1  
Table 1:  Costs of exporting merchandise, 2010 or most recent survey perioda 
 
Grouping or Regionb Documents to 
export (number)c Time to export  
(days)  Cost to export  
(US$ per container)d 
Developing economies, of which  7.0 24.6 1397 
Latin America 6.6 18.1 1228 
Developing Europe 6.3 15.3 1112 
Africa 7.5 30.6 1851 Middle East 6.5 21.6 1082 
Developing Asia 6.8 24.5 1037   
Memorandum items    
World 6.5 23.1 1390 
Developed economies 4.5 11.0 1063 
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 7.1 43.4 2312 
LDCs 7.6 34.1 1815 
aProcedural requirements for exporting a standardized car go of goods by ocean transport.  Procedures range from 
packing the goods at the warehouse to their departure from the port  of exit.  The time and cost for ocean transport itself are 
not included.   
 bComputed according to WTO definitions as simple aver ages across economies composing the respective groups.   
 cDocuments include documents required for clearance by  government ministries, customs authorities, port and 
container terminal authorities, health an d technical control agencies and banks.   
 dCost is recorded as the fees levied on a 20-foot container, excluding tariffs or trade taxes.   
Source:   WTO calculations based on Worl d Bank Doing Business database 
 
3. Despite the crisis, regulatory reforms aimed at  making it easier to do business accelerated in 
2009, and most took place in developing economies.   Yet, as developed economies already have 
global good practices, procedural requirements fo r exporters are still over twice as long and 
30 per cent more expensive in developing economies. 
4. It is also still considerably more difficult to export and import in Africa than in other 
developing regions:  export delays are longer than 30 days while  the average in developing economies 
is less than 25 days, and costs are more than 30 per cent higher.  Of the 50 economies where trading 
across borders is most difficult, 31 are African.  Howe ver, the latest Doing Business issues report that 
                                                      
1 Hoekman, Bernard, and Alessandro Nicita. 2009.  "Trade Policy, Trade Cost, and Developing 
Country Trade."  Policy Research Working Paper 4797, World Bank, Washington, DC. WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 32  
 
  Sub-Saharan Africa is the region that had the most reforms in making trade easier.  As a result, 
African export delays were reduced by more than two days in just two years. 
5. The time necessary to export and import was shorte ned even more in the Middle East, thanks 
to large investment in infrastruct ure across the region combined with dynamic reforms of bureaucratic 
requirements in Yemen, Jordan, Kuwait, and Iran.  Since 2008, the time to  export was reduced from 
25.3 days, a level then comparable to the average delay in developing Asia, to 21.6 days. 
6. The average export delay in developing Asia is still about 24.5 days in 2010.  This average 
does, however, not carry much meaning as conditi ons for trading across border are particularly 
contrasted in the region.  On one hand, Asian la ndlocked countries are among those in the world 
where trading across borders is most cumbersome:  in Afghanistan, Lao People's Democratic 
Republic, Nepal, Bhutan and Mongolia, the export delay averages 50 days and costs for exporting a 
container range between 2000 and 3800 dollars.  On the other hand, the region counts highly 
export-oriented economies like Singa pore;  Hong Kong, China;  the Republic of Korea;  Thailand and 
Chinese Taipei, where trading across borders is as easy as in developed countries, if not more. 
7. Although the average monetary cost for exporting is somewhat higher, outgoing shipments 
suffer quite shorter delays in developing Euro pe and Latin America (15 days and 18 days 
respectively).  Among others, the 2011 Doing Business report highlights that regional integration and 
cooperation are important factors having helped coun tries to streamline their regulations and systems 
for exporters and importers.  "Ne gotiations on free trade agreements with the United States have often 
been a driving force for improvements in trade f acilitation in Latin America and the Caribbean, as in 
Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Peru."  Furt her, "in Central America the International Goods 
in Transit (TIM) system harmonizes previously  cumbersome procedures in a single electronic 
document for managing the movement of goods across ni ne economies.  At some border locations this 
has reduced clearance times for goods  in transit by up to 90 per cent."  The report further highlights 
that over the years, efforts in several developing European countries to ease trade were "motivated by 
the need to comply with EU trade regulations or  by the conditions for accession to EU membership." 
Chart 1:  Reduction in the time to export by economic groupings and regions, 2008-2010 
 
(days) 
-1.6-1.1-0.7
-2.2
-3.7-0.5
-1.5-0.2
-4.1-2.4Developing
economiesLatin
AmericaDeveloping
Europe Africa Middle EastDeveloping
Asia WorldDeveloped
economies CIS LDCs
 
Source:   WTO calculations based on World Bank Doing Business  database (simple averages  across economies composing 
the respective groups)   WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 33 
 
 
  APPENDIX 
Appendix  Table 1:  Merchandise exports of de veloping economies and regions, 2008-2010 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Worldb 14,850.56  100.000 100.000  - -  -6 -23 22      
Developing 
economiesb 6,096.35  38.179 41.051  100.000 100.000  1 -21 29      
Latin America and 
the Caribbean 875.32  5.675 5.894  14.863 14.358  -2 -23 27 
Developing Europe 145.71  1.066 0.981  2.793 2.390  -13 -23 13 
Africa 508.05  3.557 3.421  9.316 8.334  -9 -30 30 Middle East 894.93  6.491 6.026  17.001 14.680  -13 -31 27 
Developing Asia
b 3,672.35  21.390 24.729  56.026 60.238  9 -16 30      
Afghanistan 0.43  0.003 0.003  0.009 0.007  -20 -25 7 
Albania 1.55  0.009 0.010  0.023 0.025  14 -20 42 
Algeria 57.05  0.503 0.384  1.317 0.936  -28 -43 26 
American Samoa 0.30  0.004 0.002  0.009 0.005  -47 -18 -36 
Angola 53.50  0.405 0.360  1.062 0.878  -16 -36 31 Antigua and 
Barbuda 0.07  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -11 -9 -3 
Argentina 68.13  0.444 0.459  1.163 1.118  -3 -21 22 Aruba 0.12  0.001 0.001  0.002 0.002  25 36 -8 
Bahamas 0.71  0.006 0.005  0.016 0.012  -26 -26 0 
Bahrain 13.65  0.110 0.092  0.288 0.224  -21 -31 15 
Bangladesh 19.19  0.097 0.129  0.255 0.315  25 -2 27 
Barbados 0.43  0.003 0.003  0.008 0.007  -12 -22 13 Belize 0.32  0.002 0.002  0.005 0.005  5 -15 23 
Benin 1.20  0.008 0.008  0.021 0.020  -6 -7 1 
Bhutan 0.55  0.003 0.004  0.009 0.009  5 -5 11 Bolivarian Rep.  of 
Venezuela 65.79  0.603 0.443  1.580 1.079  -31 -39 14 
Bolivia, Plurinational State of 6.29  0.041 0.042  0.108 0.103  -4 -25 28 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 4.80  0.032 0.032  0.083 0.079  -4 -21 21 
Botswana 4.69  0.031 0.032  0.082 0.077  -5 -30 36 
Brazil 201.92  1.255 1.360  3.288 3.312  2 -23 32 
Brunei Darussalam 9.20  0.065 0.062  0.171 0.151  -11 -30 28 Burkina Faso 1.29  0.004 0.009  0.012 0.021  86 30 43 
Burundi 0.10  0.000 0.001  0.001 0.002  75 11 57 
Cambodia 5.03  0.030 0.034  0.078 0.083  7 -9 17 Cameroon 4.00  0.027 0.027  0.071 0.066  -7 -22 19 
Cape Verde 0.04  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  39 10 27 
Central African 
Republic 0.14  0.001 0.001  0.002 0.002  -7 -20 17 
Chad 3.45  0.027 0.023  0.072 0.057  -20 -39 30 Chile 71.03  0.420 0.478  1.101 1.165  7 -18 32 
China 1,577.82  9.074 10.625  23.767 25.881  10 -16 31 
Colombia 39.82  0.239 0.268  0.625 0.653  6 -13 21 Comoros 0.02  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  100 78 13 
Congo 8.20  0.053 0.055  0.138 0.135  -1 -27 34 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 34  
 
  Appendix
 Table 1:  Merchandise exports of  developing econom ies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Congo, Dem.  Rep.  
of 5.30  0.028 0.036  0.073 0.087  20 -20 51 
Cook Islands 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  22 -33 80 Costa Rica 9.38  0.060 0.063  0.158 0.154  -1 -8 7 Côte d'Ivoire 10.32  0.066 0.069  0.173 0.169  -1 6 -6 
Croatia 11.81  0.090 0.080  0.234 0.194  -16 -26 13 
Cuba 3.90  0.025 0.026  0.066 0.064  -1 -21 25 Djibouti 0.10  0.000 0.001  0.001 0.002  38 13 23 
Dominica 0.04  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -12 -15 3 
Dominican Republic 6.60  0.043 0.044  0.112 0.108  -2 -19 20 
Ecuador 17.49  0.119 0.118  0.313 0.287  -7 -26 26 
Egypt 26.44  0.166 0.178  0.436 0.434  1 -12 15 El Salvador 4.50  0.029 0.030  0.077 0.074  -3 -17 16 
Equatorial Guinea 10.50  0.101 0.071  0.264 0.172  -34 -43 15 
Eritrea 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  9 0 9 Ethiopia 2.24  0.010 0.015  0.027 0.037  40 1 38 
Fiji 0.71  0.006 0.005  0.015 0.012  -23 -32 13 
French Polynesia 0.18  0.002 0.001  0.005 0.003  -36 -39 5 FYR Macedonia 3.30  0.025 0.022  0.066 0.054  -17 -33 23 
Gabon 9.37  0.060 0.063  0.158 0.154  -1 -37 58 
Gambia 0.02  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  10 10 0 Ghana 7.90  0.033 0.053  0.088 0.130  50 11 35 
Grenada 0.02  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.000  -21 -5 -17 
Guatemala 8.47  0.049 0.057  0.129 0.139  9 -7 17 Guinea 1.25  0.009 0.008  0.022 0.021  -7 -22 19 
Guinea-Bissau 0.13  0.001 0.001  0.002 0.002  -2 -7 5 
Guyana 0.88  0.005 0.006  0.013 0.014  10 -4 15 Haiti 0.58  0.003 0.004  0.008 0.010  21 20 1 
Honduras 5.74  0.039 0.039  0.103 0.094  -7 -22 19 
Hong Kong, China 401.02  - -  - -  8 -11 22 
  domestic exports 14.83  0.108 0.100  0.282 0.243  -13 -1 -12 
India 219.96  1.236 1.481  3.236 3.608  13 -15 33 Indonesia 157.82  0.885 1.063  2.319 2.589  13 -14 32 
Iran, Islamic Rep.  
of 100.52  0.721 0.677  1.888 1.649  -12 -31 28 Iraq 52.80  0.389 0.356  1.018 0.866  -14 -32 26 
Israel 58.39  0.389 0.393  1.019 0.958  -5 -22 22 
Jamaica 1.34  0.015 0.009  0.041 0.022  -45 -46 2 Jordan 7.03  0.050 0.047  0.132 0.115  -11 -20 10 
Kenya 5.15  0.032 0.035  0.083 0.084  3 -11 15 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 249.70  1.988 1.681  5.207 4.096  -20 -39 30 
Kiribati 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -27 40 -48 
Korea, Dem.  People's Rep.  of 3.01  0.013 0.020  0.034 0.049  46 -3 51 
Korea, Republic of 466.38  2.676 3.141  7.010 7.650  11 -14 28 
Kuwait 67.01  0.555 0.451  1.453 1.099  -23 -41 29 Lao People's Dem.  
Rep. 1.60  0.007 0.011  0.018 0.026  47 -5 55  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 35 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 1:  Merchandise exports of  developing econom ies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Lebanon 5.02  0.028 0.034  0.074 0.082  13 -6 20 
Lesotho 0.82  0.006 0.006  0.015 0.013  -7 -19 15 
Liberia 0.23  0.002 0.002  0.004 0.004  -5 -39 55 
Libya 47.40  0.399 0.319  1.046 0.778  -25 -41 28 Macao, China 0.87  0.013 0.0 06  0.033 0.014  -56 -52 -9 
Madagascar 1.09  0.008 0.007  0.022 0.018  -17 -20 4 
Malawi 1.07  0.005 0.007  0.014 0.017  24 26 -1 Malaysia 198.80  1.265 1.339  3.314 3.261  0 -21 26 
Maldives 0.20  0.002 0.001  0.005 0.003  -40 -49 18 
Mali 2.35  0.013 0.016  0.035 0.039  12 1 11 
Marshall Islands 0.03  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -4 -7 4 
Mauritania 2.03  0.011 0.014  0.030 0.033  14 -23 48 Mauritius 2.24  0.015 0.015  0.040 0.037  -6 -19 15 
Mexico 298.31  1.847 2.009  4.839 4.893  2 -21 30 
Micronesia 0.03  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -1 -1 0 Mongolia 2.90  0.016 0.020  0.042 0.048  14 -25 52 
Montenegro 0.47  0.004 0.003  0.011 0.008  -29 -38 14 
Montserrat 0.00  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -26 -22 -5 Morocco 17.58  0.129 0.118  0.338 0.288  -14 -31 25 
Mozambique 3.20  0.017 0.022  0.044 0.052  21 -19 49 
Myanmar 8.75  0.044 0.059  0.115 0.144  26 -3 30 Namibia 4.05  0.020 0.027  0.052 0.066  30 1 28 
Nepal 0.86  0.006 0.006  0.016 0.014  -8 -12 5 
Netherlands Antilles 0.80  0.007 0.005  0.018 0.013  -27 -26 -1 New Caledonia 1.43  0.008 0.010  0.022 0.023  10 -24 44 
Nicaragua 1.85  0.009 0.012  0.025 0.030  25 -6 33 
Niger 0.93  0.006 0.006  0.015 0.015  2 -5 8 Nigeria 82.00  0.534 0.552  1.397 1.345  -3 -35 49 
Niue 0.00  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  5 5 0 
Oman 36.60  0.239 0.246  0.627 0.600  -3 -27 32 
Pakistan 21.41  0.129 0.144  0.338 0.351  5 -14 22 
Palau 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -40 -40 0 Panama 0.83  0.008 0.006  0.021 0.014  -33 -24 -12 
Papua New Guinea 5.61  0.036 0.038  0.095 0.092  -2 -23 28 
Paraguay 4.53  0.028 0.031  0.074 0.074  2 -29 43 Peru 35.56  0.200 0.239  0.524 0.583  13 -15 32 
Philippines 51.50  0.311 0.347  0.815 0.845  5 -22 34 
Qatar 62.00  0.359 0.417  0.940 1.017  10 -28 51 Rwanda 0.30  0.002 0.002  0.004 0.005  11 -28 54 
Saint Kitts and 
Nevis 0.06  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  7 -2 10 Saint Lucia 0.15  0.001 0.001  0.003 0.002  -9 1 -10 
Saint Vincent and 
the Grenadines 0.04  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -20 -6 -15 Samoa 0.06  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -17 -36 29 
Sao Tome and 
Principe 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  3 -24 36 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 36  
 
  Appendix
 Table 1:  Merchandise exports of  developing econom ies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Senegal 2.16  0.014 0.015  0.036 0.035  0 -7 7 
Serbia 9.80  0.070 0.066  0.182 0.161  -11 -24 17 
Seychelles 0.40  0.003 0.003  0.007 0.007  -7 -8 1 
Sierra Leone 0.34  0.001 0.002  0.004 0.006  57 7 46 Singapore 351.87  2.145 2.369  5.618 5.772  4 -20 30 
Solomon Islands 0.23  0.001 0.002  0.003 0.004  8 -22 37 
Somalia ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... South Africa 81.82  0.512 0.551  1.342 1.342  1 -24 33 
Sri Lanka 8.50  0.054 0.057  0.140 0.139  1 -13 16 
Sudan 11.44  0.074 0.077  0.194 0.188  -2 -30 40 
Suriname 2.07  0.011 0.014  0.029 0.034  19 -19 47 
Swaziland 1.55  0.011 0.010  0.028 0.025  -9 -15 7 Syrian Arab 
Republic 13.50  0.098 0.091  0.256 0.221  -12 -30 24 
Taipei, Chinese 274.60  1.621 1.849  4.247 4.504  7 -20 35 Tanzania 3.69  0.019 0.025  0.050 0.060  21 -4 26 
Thailand 195.32  1.128 1.315  2.953 3.204  10 -14 28 
Timor-Leste, Dem.  Rep.  of 0.02  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  28 -35 96 
Togo 0.80  0.006 0.005  0.015 0.013  -11 -11 0 
Tonga 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -4 -17 15 Trinidad and 
Tobago 10.59  0.118 0.071  0.310 0.174  -43 -51 16 
Tunisia 16.43  0.123 0.111  0.321 0.269  -15 -25 14 Turkey 113.98  0.837 0.768  2.193 1.870  -14 -23 12 
Tuvalu 0.00  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  50 50 0 
Uganda 1.61  0.011 0.011  0.029 0.026  -7 -9 3 United Arab 
Emirates 220.00  1.517 1.481  3.974 3.609  -8 -23 19 
Uruguay 6.73  0.038 0.045  0.099 0.110  13 -9 25 
Vanuatu 0.05  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -14 0 -14 
Viet Nam 72.19  0.398 0.486  1.041 1.184  15 -9 26 Yemen 8.70  0.048 0.059  0.126 0.143  15 -17 39 
Zambia 7.20  0.032 0.048  0.085 0.118  41 -15 67 
Zimbabwe 2.50  0.014 0.017  0.037 0.041  14 3 10      
Memorandum items:            
Developed  
economies 8,166.20  57.366 54.989  - -  -10 -22 16 Commonwealth of 
Independent States 
(CIS) 588.02  4.456 3.960  - -  -16 -36 31 LDCs (49) 165.16  1.072 1.112  2.808 2.709  -2 -25 30 
NICS (6)
b 1,501.80  8.943 10.113  23.424 24.634  7 -17 29 
 a2008-10: statistics on percentage change  refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms rather 
than the average annual percentage change.  Data in th e 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
bExcluding Hong Kong, China re-exports. 
-Not applicable. 
...Not available. 
Note :  Recent figures for a number of c ountries and territories have been  estimated by the Secretariat.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 37 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 2:  Merchandise imports of de veloping economies and regions, 2008-2010 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Worldb 15,076.52  100.000 100.000  - -  -7 -23 21      
Developing 
economiesb 5,748.23  34.263 38.127  100.000 100.000  3 -20 29      
Latin America and 
the Caribbean 888.39  5.630 5.893  16.430 15.455  -3 -25 30 
Developing Europe 243.82  1.757 1.617  5.127 4.242  -14 -30 23 
Africa 469.91  2.952 3.117  8.617 8.175  -2 -15 15 
Middle East 561.83  3.692 3.726  10.776 9.774  -6 -15 10 Developing Asia
b 3,584.29  20.232 23.774  59.050 62.355  9 -19 34      
Afghanistan 4.40  0.019 0.029  0.054 0.077  46 10 32 
Albania 4.60  0.032 0.031  0.094 0.080  -12 -13 1 
Algeria 40.21  0.243 0.267  0.710 0.700  2 0 2 
American Samoa 0.55  0.004 0.004  0.012 0.010  -19 -12 -8 
Angolac 21.50  0.129 0.143  0.377 0.374  2 8 -5 
Antigua and 
Barbuda 0.56  0.005 0.004  0.013 0.010  -25 -21 -5 
Argentina 56.50  0.354 0.375  1.033 0.983  -2 -32 46 Aruba 1.00  0.007 0.007  0.020 0.017  -12 -4 -8 
Bahamas 2.58  0.020 0.017  0.058 0.045  -19 -21 2 
Bahrain 10.00  0.067 0.066  0.194 0.174  -7 -31 33 Bangladesh 27.82  0.147 0.185  0.429 0.484  17 -8 27 
Barbados 1.57  0.012 0.010  0.035 0.027  -18 -25 8 
Belize 0.71  0.005 0.005  0.015 0.012  -15 -20 6 Benin 2.20  0.014 0.015  0.041 0.038  -4 -10 7 
Bhutan 0.76  0.003 0.005  0.010 0.013  40 -3 44 
Bolivarian Rep.  of Venezuela 40.80  0.306 0.271  0.892 0.710  -18 -18 1 
Bolivia, 
Plurinational State of 5.36  0.031 0.036  0.091 0.093  5 -13 21 Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 9.22  0.075 0.061  0.219 0.160  -24 -28 5 
Botswana 5.66  0.032 0.038  0.094 0.098  9 -9 20 
Brazil 191.49  1.124 1.270  3.280 3.331  5 -27 43 
Brunei Darussalam 2.95  0.016 0.020  0.046 0.051  15 -5 20 Burkina Faso 2.05  0.012 0.014  0.036 0.036  2 -7 10 
Burundi 0.51  0.002 0.003  0.007 0.009  26 0 27 
Cambodia
c 7.50  0.040 0.050  0.117 0.130  15 -10 28 
Cameroon 4.85  0.033 0.032  0.097 0.084  -10 -20 13 
Cape Verde 0.74  0.005 0.005  0.015 0.013  -10 -14 5 
Central African Republic 0.34  0.002 0.002  0.005 0.006  13 0 13 
Chad 2.60  0.012 0.017  0.034 0.045  37 21 13 
Chile 58.96  0.382 0.391  1.115 1.026  -5 -31 38 China 1,395.10  6.978 9.253  20.366 24.270  23 -11 39 
Colombia 40.68  0.244 0.270  0.713 0.708  3 -17 24 
Comoros 0.19  0.001 0.001  0.003 0.003  9 -3 12 Congo
c 2.90  0.019 0.019  0.055 0.050  -5 -5 0 
Congo, Dem.  Rep.  
of 4.50  0.026 0.030  0.077 0.078  5 -9 15 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 38  
 
  Appendix
 Table 2:  Merchandise imports of  developing econom ies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Cook Islands 0.27  0.001 0.002  0.003 0.005  79 24 45 
Costa Rica 13.57  0.095 0.090  0.276 0.236  -12 -26 19 
Côte d'Ivoire 7.83  0.049 0.052  0.142 0.136  -1 -12 13 
Croatia 20.05  0.189 0.133  0.553 0.349  -35 -31 -5 Cuba 11.30  0.095 0.075  0.276 0.197  -26 -37 17 
Djibouti
c 0.42  0.004 0.003  0.010 0.007  -27 -21 -7 
Dominica 0.24  0.002 0.002  0.004 0.004  -3 -9 7 Dominican 
Republic
c 15.30  0.099 0.101  0.288 0.266  -4 -23 24 
Ecuador 20.59  0.116 0.137  0.339 0.358  9 -20 36 
Egypt 52.92  0.298 0.351  0.870 0.921  9 -7 18 
El Salvador 8.50  0.060 0.056  0.177 0.148  -13 -25 16 Equatorial Guinea 5.70  0.024 0.038  0.070 0.099  46 33 10 
Eritrea 0.69  0.004 0.005  0.011 0.012  15 -2 17 
Ethiopia 8.55  0.051 0.057  0.149 0.149  3 -7 12 Fiji 1.53  0.014 0.010  0.041 0.027  -32 -37 6 
French Polynesia 1.74  0.013 0.012  0.039 0.030  -20 -21 0 
FYR Macedonia 5.45  0.042 0.036  0.124 0.095  -21 -27 8 Gabon 2.98  0.016 0.020  0.047 0.052  15 -3 19 
Gambia 0.28  0.002 0.002  0.006 0.005  -14 -6 -9 
Ghana 10.70  0.063 0.071  0.185 0.186  4 -22 33 Grenada 0.29  0.002 0.002  0.007 0.005  -21 -22 2 
Guatemala 13.84  0.090 0.092  0.262 0.241  -5 -21 20 
Guinea 1.10  0.008 0.007  0.025 0.019  -19 -22 4 Guinea-Bissau
c 0.22  0.001 0.001  0.004 0.004  11 16 -4 
Guyana 1.40  0.008 0.009  0.024 0.024  7 -12 21 
Haiti 3.15  0.014 0.021  0.042 0.055  36 -8 48 Honduras
c 8.55  0.064 0.057  0.188 0.149  -18 -30 17 
Hong Kong, China 442.04  - -  - -  12 -10 25 
  retained imports 116.15  0.610 0.770  1.779 2.021  17 -10 31 
India 327.23  1.978 2.170  5.773 5.693  2 -20 27 
Indonesia 131.74  0.782 0.874  2.283 2.292  4 -29 46 Iran, Islamic Rep.  
of 65.02  0.354 0.431  1.032 1.131  13 -12 28 
Iraq 42.50  0.203 0.282  0.593 0.739  29 12 15 Israel 61.21  0.417 0.406  1.217 1.065  -10 -27 24 
Jamaica 5.19  0.052 0.034  0.152 0.090  -39 -40 3 
Jordan 15.40  0.105 0.102  0.306 0.268  -9 -16 8 Kenya 12.09  0.069 0.080  0.200 0.210  9 -8 19 
Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia 97.08  0.709 0.644  2.070 1.689  -16 -17 2 Kiribati 0.10  0.000 0.001  0.001 0.002  43 -3 47 
Korea, Dem.  
People's Rep.  of 4.42  0.022 0.029  0.064 0.077  23 -14 43 Korea, Republic of 425.21  2.682 2.820  7.827 7.397  -2 -26 32 
Kuwait 22.45  0.153 0.149  0.447 0.390  -10 -18 10 
Lao People's Dem.  Rep. 1.80  0.009 0.012  0.025 0.031  28 1 27 
Lebanon 18.46  0.103 0.122  0.301 0.321  10 -1 11  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 39 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 2:  Merchandise imports of  developing econom ies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Lesotho 2.20  0.012 0.015  0.036 0.038  10 -3 13 
Liberia 0.70  0.005 0.005  0.015 0.012  -14 -32 27 
Libya 10.50  0.056 0.070  0.165 0.183  15 9 5 
Macao, China 5.63  0.036 0.0 37  0.106 0.098  -4 -19 18 
Madagascar 2.65  0.023 0.018  0.068 0.046  -30 -15 -17 
Malawi 1.90  0.010 0.013  0.030 0.033  15 9 6 
Malaysia 164.73  0.967 1.093  2.821 2.866  5 -21 33 Maldives 1.10  0.009 0.007  0.025 0.019  -21 -30 13 
Mali 2.85  0.021 0.019  0.060 0.050  -15 -21 8 
Marshall Islands 0.12  0.001 0.001  0.002 0.002  20 -15 41 
Mauritania 1.82  0.012 0.012  0.035 0.032  -6 -26 27 
Mauritius 4.40  0.029 0.029  0.084 0.077  -5 -20 18 Mexico 310.62  1.961 2.060  5.724 5.404  -2 -24 29 
Micronesia 0.16  0.001 0.001  0.003 0.003  0 0 0 
Mongolia 3.28  0.022 0.022  0.065 0.057  -9 -41 54 Montenegro 2.21  0.023 0.015  0.068 0.038  -41 -38 -5 
Montserrat 0.03  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -21 -22 1 
Morocco 35.28  0.261 0.234  0.762 0.614  -17 -22 7 Mozambique 4.50  0.025 0.030  0.072 0.078  12 -6 20 
Myanmar 4.81  0.026 0.032  0.077 0.084  12 2 9 
Namibia 5.36  0.027 0.036  0.078 0.093  24 15 8 Nepal 5.28  0.022 0.035  0.065 0.092  47 22 20 
Netherlands Antilles 2.80  0.019 0.019  0.055 0.049  -9 -15 7 
New Caledonia 3.31  0.020 0.022  0.058 0.058  2 -20 29 Nicaragua 4.17  0.027 0.028  0.078 0.073  -3 -19 20 
Niger 2.15  0.010 0.014  0.031 0.037  27 12 13 
Nigeria 44.24  0.308 0.293  0.898 0.770  -11 -32 30 Niue 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -35 -35 0 
Oman 19.87  0.143 0.132  0.416 0.346  -14 -22 11 
Pakistan 39.04  0.261 0.259  0.761 0.679  -8 -25 23 
Palau 0.12  0.001 0.001  0.002 0.002  0 8 -8 
Panama 9.15  0.056 0.061  0.163 0.159  1 -14 17 Papua New Guinea 3.85  0.022 0.026  0.063 0.067  10 -9 20 
Paraguay 10.04  0.056 0.067  0.162 0.175  11 -23 45 
Peru 30.13  0.185 0.200  0.539 0.524  0 -27 38 Philippines 58.23  0.372 0.386  1.086 1.013  -4 -24 27 
Qatar 23.24  0.172 0.154  0.502 0.404  -17 -11 -7 
Rwanda 1.43  0.007 0.009  0.021 0.025  22 11 9 Saint Kitts and 
Nevis 0.29  0.002 0.002  0.006 0.005  -11 -12 2 
Saint Lucia 0.56  0.004 0.004  0.012 0.010  -15 -18 4 Saint Vincent and 
the Grenadines 0.38  0.002 0.003  0.007 0.007  2 -11 14 
Samoa 0.31  0.002 0.002  0.005 0.005  8 -20 34 Sao Tome and 
Principe 0.11  0.001 0.001  0.002 0.002  -2 -9 9 
Senegal 4.78  0.040 0.032  0.117 0.083  -27 -28 1 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 40  
 
  Appendix
 Table 2:  Merchandise imports of  developing econom ies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Serbia 16.73  0.150 0.111  0.438 0.291  -31 -34 4 
Seychelles 0.65  0.006 0.004  0.019 0.011  -38 -23 -19 
Sierra Leone 0.77  0.003 0.005  0.010 0.013  44 -3 48 
Singapore 310.79  1.970 2.061  5.750 5.407  -3 -23 26 Solomon Islands 0.41  0.002 0.003  0.006 0.007  24 -18 51 
Somalia ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
South Africa 94.04  0.619 0.624  1.808 1.636  -6 -27 29 Sri Lanka 13.51  0.086 0.090  0.251 0.235  -3 -27 32 
Sudan 10.04  0.058 0.067  0.168 0.175  7 4 4 
Suriname 1.44  0.008 0.010  0.023 0.025  11 -1 11 
Swaziland 1.70  0.010 0.011  0.031 0.030  0 -6 6 
Syrian Arab Republic 16.90  0.112 0.112  0.326 0.294  -7 -16 11 
Taipei, Chinese 251.24  1.481 1.666  4.324 4.371  4 -27 44 
Tanzania 7.83  0.044 0.052  0.128 0.136  10 -10 22 Thailand 182.40  1.104 1.210  3.223 3.173  2 -25 36 
Timor-Leste, Dem.  
Rep.  of 0.30  0.002 0.002  0.005 0.005  11 10 1 Togo 1.55  0.009 0.010  0.027 0.027  3 0 3 
Tonga 0.17  0.001 0.001  0.003 0.003  1 -14 18 
Trinidad and Tobago 6.58  0.059 0.044  0.172 0.114  -31 -27 -5 
Tunisia 22.22  0.152 0.147  0.443 0.387  -10 -22 16 
Turkey 185.54  1.244 1.231  3.632 3.228  -8 -30 32 Tuvalu 0.02  0.000 0.000  0.000 0.000  -39 -47 14 
Uganda 4.55  0.028 0.030  0.081 0.079  1 -6 7 
United Arab Emirates 160.00  1.091 1.061  3.183 2.783  -10 -15 7 
Uruguay 8.62  0.056 0.057  0.163 0.150  -5 -24 25 
Vanuatu 0.29  0.002 0.002  0.006 0.005  -9 -6 -3 
Viet Nam 84.80  0.497 0.562  1.451 1.475  5 -13 21 
Yemen 9.70  0.065 0.064  0.190 0.169  -8 -13 6 Zambia 5.32  0.031 0.035  0.091 0.093  5 -25 40 
Zimbabwe 3.80  0.018 0.025  0.053 0.066  29 -2 31      
Memorandum items:            
Developed  
economies 8,914.43  62.655 59.128  - -  -12 -25 16 
Commonwealth of Independent States 
(CIS) 413.87  3.081 2.745  - -  -17 -33 24 
LDCs (49) 174.56  1.001 1.158  2.920 3.037  7 -5 13 NICS (6)
b 1,450.52  8.814 9.621  25.724 25.234  1 -24 33 
 a2008-10: statistics on percentage change  refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms rather 
than the average annual percentage change.  Data in th e 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
bExcluding Hong Kong, China imports for re-exports. 
c Imports are valued f.o.b. 
-Not applicable. 
...Not available. 
Note :  Recent figures for a number of c ountries and territories have been  estimated by the Secretariat.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 41 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 3:  Commercial services exports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
World 3,692.52  100.000 100.000  - -  -4 -12 9      
Developing 
economies 1,141.93  27.662 30.926  100.000 100.000  7 -9 19      
Latin America and 
the Caribbean 127.08  3.295 3.441  11.913 11.128  0 -9 10 
Developing Europe 53.55  1.544 1.450  5.582 4.689  -10 -10 0 
Africa 84.58  2.205 2.291  7.971 7.407  0 -9 10 Middle East 96.55  2.501 2.615  9.042 8.455  0 -3 3 
Developing Asia 780.18  18.117 21.129  65.491 68.321  12 -10 25      
Afghanistan ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Albania 2.19  0.063 0.059  0.228 0.192  -9 -3 -7 
Algeria 3.37  0.089 0.091  0.322 0.295  -1 -18 21 
Angola 0.64  0.009 0.017  0.031 0.056  95 89 3 
Anguilla 0.13  0.003 0.003  0.011 0.011  10 -7 17 Antigua and 
Barbuda 0.50  0.014 0.014  0.052 0.044  -9 -9 -1 
Argentina 12.89  0.312 0.349  1.129 1.129  7 -9 18 Aruba 1.52  0.041 0.041  0.148 0.133  -4 -5 1 
Bahamas 2.37  0.065 0.064  0.235 0.207  -5 -11 6 
Bahrain 4.05  0.097 0.110  0.352 0.354  8 -2 11 
Bangladesh 1.21  0.023 0.033  0.085 0.106  35 5 28 
Barbados 1.42  0.040 0.038  0.143 0.124  -7 -9 2 Belize 0.33  0.009 0.009  0.033 0.029  -7 -11 4 
Benin ...  0.009 ...  0.031 ...  ... -38 ... 
Bhutan ...  0.001 ...  0.005 ...  ... 8 ... Bolivarian Rep.  of 
Venezuela 1.49  0.052 0.040  0.188 0.131  -25 -10 -17 
Bolivia, Plurinational State of 0.53  0.013 0.014  0.045 0.046  10 3 7 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 1.28  0.043 0.035  0.157 0.112  -23 -14 -11 Botswana 0.73  0.024 0.020  0.086 0.064  -20 -8 -13 
Brazil 30.29  0.750 0.820  2.712 2.653  5 -9 15 
Brunei Darussalam ...  0.023 ...  0.082 ...  ... 5 ... Burkina Faso ...  0.003 ...  0.010 ...  ... -3 ... 
Burundi ...  0.000 ...  0.000 ...  ... -24 ... 
Cambodia 1.67  0.042 0.045  0.152 0.146  4 -1 5 Cameroon 1.06  0.035 0.029  0.127 0.093  -22 -16 -7 
Cape Verde 0.50  0.015 0.014  0.054 0.044  -13 -18 6 
Central African 
Republic ...  0.001 ...  0.003 ...  ... -5 ... 
Chad ...  0.002 ...  0.009 ...  ... 101 ... Chile 10.69  0.279 0.289  1.008 0.936  0 -20 25 
China 170.25  3.811 4.611  13.778 14.909  16 -12 32 
Colombia 4.37  0.106 0.118  0.382 0.383  8 2 6 Comoros ...  0.002 ...  0.006 ...  ... -9 ... 
Congo ...  0.010 ...  0.035 ...  ... 2 ... WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 42  
 
  Appendix
 Table 3:  Commercial services exports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Congo, Dem.  Rep.  
of 0.29  0.008 0.008  0.031 0.025  -11 27 -30 
Costa Rica 4.40  0.107 0.119  0.387 0.385  7 -12 21 Côte d'Ivoire ...  0.022 ...  0.081 ...  ... -5 ... Croatia 11.23  0.384 0.304  1.389 0.983  -24 -21 -4 
Cuba ...  0.241 ...  0.870 ...  ... -5 ... 
Djibouti ...  0.003 ...  0.012 ...  ... 8 ... Dominica 0.12  0.003 0.003  0.011 0.010  -1 -3 2 
Dominican Republic 5.13  0.127 0.139  0.460 0.449  5 0 6 
Ecuador 1.26  0.032 0.034  0.115 0.111  3 -8 12 
Egypt 23.62  0.642 0.640  2.321 2.068  -4 -14 11 
El Salvador 0.94  0.027 0.026  0.097 0.083  -8 -19 13 Equatorial Guinea ...  0.001 ...  0.003 ...  ... -15 ... 
Eritrea ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Ethiopia ...  0.046 ...  0.167 ...  ... -6 ... Fiji 0.80  0.025 0.022  0.090 0.070  -16 -28 17 
French Polynesia ...  0.028 ...  0.103 ...  ... -16 ... 
FYR Macedonia 0.90  0.026 0.024  0.093 0.079  -9 -15 7 Gabon ...  0.005 ...  0.018 ...  ... -12 ... 
Gambia 0.09  0.003 0.002  0.011 0.008  -25 -11 -15 
Ghana 1.34  0.041 0.036  0.147 0.118  -14 -2 -12 Grenada 0.14  0.004 0.004  0.014 0.012  -8 -6 -1 
Guatemala 2.12  0.045 0.057  0.163 0.185  22 5 16 
Guinea 0.06  0.002 0.002  0.009 0.005  -36 -29 -9 Guinea-Bissau ...  0.001 ...  0.004 ...  ... -36 ... 
Guyana ...  0.006 ...  0.020 ...  ... -19 ... 
Haiti 0.20  0.008 0.005  0.027 0.017  -31 14 -39 Honduras 1.00  0.023 0.027  0.081 0.088  16 8 7 
Hong Kong, China 106.43  2.400 2.882  8.676 9.320  15 -6 23 
India 123.28  2.778 3.339  10.043 10.795  15 -13 33 
Indonesia 16.23  0.383 0.440  1.386 1.422  10 -14 29 
Iran, Islamic Rep.  of 7.53  0.205 0.204  0.740 0.659  -4 -5 1 
Iraq ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Israel 24.65  0.632 0.668  2.285 2.159  2 -10 12 Jamaica 2.68  0.072 0.073  0.260 0.235  -3 -5 2 
Jordan 4.78  0.113 0.129  0.410 0.419  10 -4 14 
Kenya 2.93  0.066 0.079  0.237 0.257  16 -13 33 Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia 10.35  0.238 0.280  0.859 0.906  13 3 10 
Kiribati ...  0.000 ...  0.001 ...  ... -6 ... Korea, Republic of 81.57  2.327 2.209  8.414 7.143  -9 -19 13 
Kuwait 6.92  0.270 0.187  0.974 0.606  -33 1 -34 
Lao People's Dem.  Rep. ...  0.009 ...  0.034 ...  ... 2 ... 
Lebanon 15.20  0.457 0.412  1.652 1.331  -13 -4 -10 
Lesotho ...  0.001 ...  0.005 ...  ... 25 ... Liberia ...  0.005 ...  0.017 ...  ... -22 ...  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 43 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 3:  Commercial services exports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Libya ...  0.005 ...  0.020 ...  ... 85 ... 
Macao, China 27.92  0.449 0.7 56  1.622 2.445  62 6 52 
Madagascar 0.72  0.024 0.020  0.085 0.063  -20 -35 22 
Malawi ...  0.002 ...  0.008 ...  ... -13 ... Malaysia 32.68  0.788 0.885  2.849 2.862  8 -5 14 
Maldives 0.76  0.019 0.021  0.067 0.067  7 -9 17 
Mali ...  0.011 ...  0.042 ...  ... -24 ... Mauritania ...  0.004 ...  0.013 ...  ... -1 ... 
Mauritius 2.66  0.066 0.072  0.238 0.233  5 -12 19 
Mexico 15.43  0.481 0.418  1.738 1.352  -16 -17 0 
Mongolia 0.49  0.013 0.013  0.047 0.043  -2 -17 18 
Montenegro 0.99  0.029 0.027  0.103 0.087  -10 -14 5 Montserrat 0.01  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -23 -15 -9 
Morocco 12.14  0.334 0.329  1.208 1.063  -5 -7 2 
Mozambique 0.58  0.013 0.016  0.046 0.050  18 11 6 Myanmar ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Namibia 0.57  0.014 0.016  0.051 0.050  6 -6 13 
Nepal 0.58  0.013 0.016  0.047 0.051  18 22 -3 Netherlands Antilles 1.90  0.053 0.051  0.191 0.166  -6 -1 -5 
New Caledonia ...  0.011 ...  0.041 ...  ... -17 ... 
Nicaragua 0.43  0.011 0.012  0.039 0.038  3 9 -5 Niger ...  0.003 ...  0.012 ...  ... -21 ... 
Nigeria 2.61  0.048 0.071  0.173 0.229  43 -4 49 
Oman 1.94  0.048 0.053  0.172 0.170  6 -2 8 Pakistan 2.79  0.066 0.076  0.238 0.244  10 1 10 
Panama 6.01  0.149 0.163  0.538 0.527  5 -4 10 
Papua New Guinea 0.25  0.008 0.007  0.030 0.022  -21 -49 55 Paraguay 1.36  0.028 0.037  0.100 0.119  28 18 9 
Peru 3.84  0.091 0.104  0.331 0.336  9 0 9 
Philippines 13.24  0.253 0.359  0.914 1.160  36 13 20 
Qatar ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Rwanda 0.24  0.008 0.007  0.031 0.021  -25 -24 -2 Saint Kitts and 
Nevis 0.12  0.004 0.003  0.015 0.010  -23 -19 -5 
Saint Lucia 0.38  0.009 0.010  0.034 0.034  6 -3 10 Saint Vincent and 
the Grenadines 0.14  0.004 0.004  0.014 0.012  -9 -9 0 
Samoa 0.16  0.003 0.004  0.013 0.014  20 11 8 Sao Tome and 
Principe ...  0.000 ...  0.001 ...  ... 8 ... 
Senegal ...  0.031 ...  0.111 ...  ... -9 ... Serbia 3.52  0.104 0.095  0.376 0.309  -12 -13 1 
Seychelles 0.40  0.012 0.011  0.044 0.035  -14 -15 0 
Sierra Leone 0.06  0.002 0.002  0.006 0.005  -2 -5 3 Singapore 111.91  2.577 3.031  9.314 9.800  13 -6 20 
Solomon Islands 0.09  0.001 0.003  0.005 0.008  72 27 35 
Somalia ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 44  
 
  Appendix
 Table 3:  Commercial services exports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
South Africa 13.62  0.323 0.369  1.166 1.192  10 -6 17 
Sri Lanka 2.45  0.052 0.066  0.186 0.214  24 -5 31 
Sudan 0.22  0.012 0.006  0.043 0.020  -51 -23 -36 
Suriname 0.21  0.006 0.006  0.022 0.018  -11 10 -19 Swaziland ...  0.006 ...  0.021 ...  ... -14 ... 
Syrian Arab 
Republic ...  0.098 ...  0.355 ...  ... 22 ... Taipei, Chinese 40.18  0.951 1.088  3.439 3.519  10 -14 28 
Tanzania 2.05  0.051 0.055  0.185 0.179  4 -9 14 
Thailand 33.81  0.860 0.916  3.110 2.960  2 -10 14 
Timor-Leste, Dem.  
Rep.  of ...  0.001 ...  0.004 ...  ... 6 ... Togo ...  0.007 ...  0.024 ...  ... 5 ... 
Tonga 0.03  0.001 0.001  0.003 0.003  2 -13 18 
Trinidad and Tobago ...  0.024 ...  0.086 ...  ... -17 ... 
Tunisia 5.19  0.152 0.141  0.549 0.455  -11 -10 -1 
Turkey 33.44  0.895 0.906  3.236 2.928  -3 -5 2 Uganda 0.98  0.018 0.027  0.066 0.086  40 22 15 
United Arab 
Emirates 11.03  0.233 0.299  0.843 0.966  23 6 16 Uruguay 2.46  0.058 0.067  0.211 0.215  10 -7 17 
Vanuatu 0.26  0.006 0.007  0.021 0.023  18 5 12 
Viet Nam 7.35  0.181 0.199  0.654 0.644  6 -19 30 Yemen 1.41  0.027 0.038  0.099 0.124  35 3 30 
Zambia 0.31  0.008 0.008  0.028 0.027  4 -20 29 
Zimbabwe ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ...      
Memorandum items:            
Developed  
economies 2,471.24  70.112 66.926  - -  -8 -13 5 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS) 79.35  2.225 2.149  - -  -7 -17 12 
LDCs (49) 18.89  0.459 0.512  1.658 1.654  7 -3 10 
NICS (6) 406.58  9.904 11.011  35.802 35.604  7 -10 19 
 a2008-10: statistics on percentage change  refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms rather 
than the average annual percentage change.  Data in th e 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
-Not applicable. 
...Not available. 
Note :  Recent figures for a number of c ountries and territories have been  estimated by the Secretariat.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 45 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 4:  Commercial services imports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
World 3,511.22  100.000 100.000  - -  -3 -11 9      
Developing 
economies 1,253.71  32.091 35.706  100.000 100.000  8 -9 19      
Latin America and 
the Caribbean 158.49  4.001 4.514  12.469 12.642  9 -9 20 
Developing Europe 29.13  0.823 0.830  2.565 2.324  -2 -10 9 
Africa 139.04  3.938 3.960  12.270 11.090  -3 -11 10 Middle East 184.14  5.067 5.244  15.789 14.688  0 -8 9 
Developing Asia 742.91  18.262 21.158  56.906 59.257  12 -9 24      
Afghanistan ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Albania 1.99  0.065 0.057  0.203 0.159  -16 -6 -10 
Algeria 11.38  0.289 0.324  0.901 0.907  9 7 2 
Angola 16.40  0.565 0.467  1.759 1.308  -20 -11 -10 
Anguilla 0.07  0.002 0.002  0.007 0.005  -22 -23 0 Antigua and 
Barbuda 0.21  0.007 0.006  0.022 0.017  -19 -13 -7 
Argentina 13.47  0.361 0.384  1.125 1.074  3 -10 15 Aruba 0.65  0.028 0.019  0.087 0.052  -35 -28 -10 
Bahamas 1.10  0.036 0.031  0.112 0.088  -16 -18 3 
Bahrain 1.91  0.056 0.054  0.175 0.152  -6 -14 9 
Bangladesh 4.10  0.097 0.117  0.301 0.327  17 -9 29 
Barbados 0.55  0.016 0.016  0.051 0.044  -8 -8 0 Belize 0.15  0.004 0.004  0.014 0.012  -6 -5 -2 
Benin ...  0.014 ...  0.043 ...  ... -5 ... 
Bhutan ...  0.002 ...  0.008 ...  ... -22 ... Bolivarian Rep.  of 
Venezuela 10.08  0.278 0.287  0.867 0.804  0 -8 9 
Bolivia, 
Plurinational State 
of 1.06  0.027 0.030  0.086 0.085  7 0 7 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina 0.58  0.019 0.017  0.059 0.046  -15 -7 -9 
Botswana 1.27  0.031 0.036  0.096 0.102  14 -7 22 
Brazil 59.74  1.226 1.702  3.819 4.765  35 -1 36 Brunei Darussalam ...  0.033 ...  0.102 ...  ... 3 ... 
Burkina Faso ...  0.016 ...  0.049 ...  ... -11 ... 
Burundi ...  0.007 ...  0.021 ...  ... -33 ... Cambodia 1.08  0.026 0.031  0.080 0.086  16 1 15 
Cameroon 1.76  0.071 0.050  0.222 0.140  -32 -33 2 
Cape Verde 0.31  0.010 0.009  0.030 0.025  -10 -12 2 
Central African 
Republic ...  0.005 ...  0.014 ...  ... -5 ... 
Chad ...  0.057 ...  0.179 ...  ... 8 ... 
Chile 11.57  0.318 0.329  0.991 0.923  0 -15 17 
China 192.17  4.362 5.473  13.593 15.328  22 0 22 Colombia 7.84  0.197 0.223  0.613 0.625  10 -2 13 
Comoros ...  0.002 ...  0.007 ...  ... 8 ... 
Congo ...  0.099 ...  0.308 ...  ... -5 ... WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 46  
 
  Appendix
 Table 4:  Commercial services imports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Congo, Dem.  Rep.  
of 2.50  0.051 0.071  0.159 0.199  35 -11 51 
Costa Rica 1.78  0.054 0.051  0.167 0.142  -8 -24 21 Côte d'Ivoire ...  0.069 ...  0.214 ...  ... -7 ... Croatia 3.50  0.124 0.100  0.388 0.279  -22 -16 -8 
Cuba ...  0.058 ...  0.180 ...  ... -34 ... 
Djibouti ...  0.003 ...  0.010 ...  ... -5 ... Dominica 0.06  0.002 0.002  0.006 0.005  -10 -9 -1 
Dominican Republic 2.05  0.052 0.059  0.163 0.164  8 -9 19 
Ecuador 2.91  0.080 0.083  0.248 0.232  1 -11 14 
Egypt 13.00  0.451 0.370  1.405 1.037  -20 -22 2 
El Salvador 1.02  0.034 0.029  0.106 0.082  -17 -26 11 Equatorial Guinea ...  0.045 ...  0.139 ...  ... 23 ... 
Eritrea ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Ethiopia ...  0.066 ...  0.205 ...  ... -8 ... Fiji 0.47  0.016 0.013  0.051 0.037  -21 -25 5 
French Polynesia ...  0.021 ...  0.066 ...  ... -7 ... 
FYR Macedonia 0.80  0.027 0.023  0.083 0.064  -17 -18 2 Gabon ...  0.045 ...  0.140 ...  ... -22 ... 
Gambia 0.07  0.002 0.002  0.007 0.006  -16 -4 -13 
Ghana 2.44  0.056 0.070  0.175 0.195  20 16 3 Grenada 0.09  0.003 0.003  0.009 0.008  -11 -14 3 
Guatemala 2.35  0.058 0.067  0.182 0.187  11 -3 14 
Guinea 0.38  0.011 0.011  0.034 0.030  -4 -28 32 Guinea-Bissau ...  0.002 ...  0.007 ...  ... -20 ... 
Guyana ...  0.009 ...  0.028 ...  ... -16 ... 
Haiti 1.28  0.015 0.037  0.048 0.102  129 31 74 Honduras 1.30  0.032 0.037  0.101 0.104  10 -8 21 
Hong Kong, China 50.87  1.295 1.449  4.037 4.057  8 -7 16 
India 116.14  2.425 3.308  7.558 9.264  32 -9 45 
Indonesia 25.79  0.773 0.735  2.408 2.057  -8 -19 14 
Iran, Islamic Rep.  of 19.44  0.476 0.554  1.483 1.550  13 1 12 
Iraq ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Israel 17.77  0.542 0.506  1.689 1.418  -9 -14 5 Jamaica 1.81  0.064 0.052  0.198 0.145  -21 -21 -1 
Jordan 4.16  0.108 0.119  0.338 0.332  6 -6 13 
Kenya 1.83  0.046 0.052  0.143 0.146  10 -2 12 Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia 51.00  1.369 1.452  4.265 4.068  3 -5 8 
Kiribati ...  0.001 ...  0.003 ...  ... -14 ... Korea, Republic of 92.98  2.635 2.648  8.210 7.416  -3 -17 17 
Kuwait 11.63  0.342 0.331  1.067 0.928  -6 -9 3 
Lao People's Dem.  Rep. ...  0.002 ...  0.007 ...  ... 44 ... 
Lebanon 12.99  0.371 0.370  1.157 1.036  -3 4 -7 
Lesotho ...  0.002 ...  0.007 ...  ... 5 ... Liberia ...  0.010 ...  0.030 ...  ... -59 ...  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 47 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 4:  Commercial services imports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
Libya ...  0.099 ...  0.307 ...  ... 21 ... 
Macao, China 7.11  0.155 0.2 03  0.483 0.567  27 -14 47 
Madagascar 0.92  0.041 0.026  0.126 0.073  -38 -28 -13 
Malawi ...  0.009 ...  0.029 ...  ... -1 ... Malaysia 31.97  0.830 0.911  2.586 2.550  6 -9 17 
Maldives 0.30  0.009 0.009  0.029 0.024  -13 -18 6 
Mali ...  0.028 ...  0.088 ...  ... -20 ... Mauritania ...  0.021 ...  0.066 ...  ... -20 ... 
Mauritius 1.96  0.053 0.056  0.164 0.156  2 -17 23 
Mexico 22.28  0.690 0.634  2.151 1.777  -11 -14 4 
Mongolia 0.75  0.017 0.021  0.051 0.060  26 -9 38 
Montenegro 0.39  0.014 0.011  0.043 0.031  -23 -21 -2 Montserrat 0.02  0.000 0.000  0.001 0.001  -12 -6 -6 
Morocco 5.72  0.155 0.163  0.484 0.457  2 -6 8 
Mozambique 1.09  0.025 0.031  0.079 0.087  18 9 8 Myanmar ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Namibia 0.71  0.016 0.020  0.050 0.056  21 4 17 
Nepal 0.85  0.023 0.024  0.072 0.068  1 -1 2 Netherlands Antilles 0.94  0.024 0.027  0.074 0.075  8 7 1 
New Caledonia ...  0.038 ...  0.119 ...  ... -21 ... 
Nicaragua 0.66  0.019 0.019  0.060 0.053  -5 -13 9 Niger ...  0.017 ...  0.052 ...  ... 23 ... 
Nigeria 20.16  0.623 0.574  1.942 1.608  -11 -27 22 
Oman 6.61  0.162 0.188  0.506 0.527  12 -6 19 Pakistan 6.47  0.256 0.184  0.799 0.516  -30 -36 10 
Panama 2.68  0.071 0.076  0.220 0.214  5 -17 27 
Papua New Guinea 3.39  0.050 0.097  0.156 0.271  87 5 77 Paraguay 0.68  0.016 0.019  0.048 0.054  21 -9 32 
Peru 5.79  0.151 0.165  0.471 0.462  6 -16 25 
Philippines 11.07  0.230 0.315  0.718 0.883  33 4 28 
Qatar ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
Rwanda 0.54  0.014 0.015  0.043 0.043  7 0 7 Saint Kitts and 
Nevis 0.09  0.003 0.002  0.010 0.007  -25 -17 -10 
Saint Lucia 0.20  0.006 0.006  0.018 0.016  -6 -12 6 Saint Vincent and 
the Grenadines 0.09  0.003 0.002  0.008 0.007  -13 -12 -1 
Samoa 0.08  0.002 0.002  0.005 0.006  24 3 21 Sao Tome and 
Principe ...  0.001 ...  0.002 ...  ... -9 ... 
Senegal ...  0.038 ...  0.119 ...  ... -10 ... Serbia 3.48  0.117 0.099  0.365 0.277  -18 -20 2 
Seychelles 0.33  0.009 0.010  0.028 0.027  1 -8 10 
Sierra Leone 0.13  0.003 0.004  0.010 0.011  15 -2 18 Singapore 96.10  2.408 2.737  7.502 7.666  10 -9 21 
Solomon Islands 0.17  0.003 0.005  0.010 0.013  48 -16 76 
Somalia ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ... 
 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 48  
 
  Appendix
 Table 4:  Commercial services imports  of developing economies and regions, 
2008-2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
 Value  Share in world  Share in 
developing 
economies  Percentage change 
 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010  08-10a 2009 2010 
South Africa 18.02  0.456 0.513  1.421 1.438  9 -13 25 
Sri Lanka 3.08  0.082 0.088  0.256 0.246  4 -16 24 
Sudan 2.79  0.070 0.080  0.220 0.223  9 0 9 
Suriname 0.24  0.010 0.007  0.032 0.019  -36 -33 -4 Swaziland ...  0.017 ...  0.054 ...  ... -14 ... 
Syrian Arab 
Republic ...  0.086 ...  0.269 ...  ... -12 ... Taipei, Chinese 37.10  0.943 1.057  2.938 2.959  9 -15 28 
Tanzania 1.84  0.045 0.052  0.140 0.147  13 4 9 
Thailand 45.60  1.271 1.299  3.960 3.637  -1 -18 21 
Timor-Leste, Dem.  
Rep.  of ...  0.013 ...  0.042 ...  ... 13 ... Togo ...  0.010 ...  0.031 ...  ... 5 ... 
Tonga 0.04  0.001 0.001  0.004 0.003  -13 -11 -3 
Trinidad and Tobago ...  0.007 ...  0.023 ...  ... 23 ... 
Tunisia 2.86  0.089 0.081  0.278 0.228  -11 -13 2 
Turkey 18.40  0.457 0.524  1.425 1.467  11 -6 18 Uganda 1.81  0.034 0.052  0.106 0.144  47 14 28 
United Arab 
Emirates 40.91  1.181 1.165  3.680 3.263  -4 -14 11 Uruguay 1.37  0.038 0.039  0.120 0.109  -2 -23 27 
Vanuatu 0.12  0.003 0.003  0.009 0.010  18 0 18 
Viet Nam 9.77  0.218 0.278  0.678 0.779  24 2 21 Yemen 2.21  0.063 0.063  0.197 0.177  -3 -11 9 
Zambia 0.90  0.024 0.026  0.075 0.072  3 -23 34 
Zimbabwe ...  ... ...  ... ...  ... ... ...      
Memorandum items:            
Developed  
economies 2,150.40  64.745 61.244  - -  -8 -12 4 
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS) 107.09  3.164 3.050  - -  -7 -19 16 
LDCs (49) 55.42  1.525 1.579  4.752 4.421  0 -7 8 
NICS (6) 354.62  9.381 10.100  29.233 28.286  4 -12 19 
 a2008-10: statistics on percentage change  refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms rather 
than the average annual percentage change.  Data in th e 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
-Not applicable. 
...Not available. 
Note :  Recent figures for a number of c ountries and territories have been  estimated by the Secretariat.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 49 
 
 
  Appendix  Table 5:  Changes in export prices of primary commodities, 2000-2010 
(Annual percentage change, in terms of US dollars) 
  2000-08 2009 2010     2000-08 2009 2010 
         
Food and beverages 9 -13 12  Agricultural raw 
materials 2 -17 33 
Food 9 -15 11 Timber 2 -7 0 
Cereals 14 -27 3 Cotton 2 -12 65 
Wheat 14 -31 0 Wool 7 -16 33 
Maize 12 -26 12 Rubber 18 -26 90 
Rice 17 -16 -12 Hides and skins -3 -30 60 
Barley 13 -36 23 
Vegetable oils &  protein meals 13 -20 11  Minerals and non-ferrous 
metalsa 14 -19 48 
Meat 4 -5 19 Copper  18 -26 46 
Beef 4 -1 27 Aluminium 7 -35 30 
Lamb 5 -14 -1 Iron ore 22 30 83 
Swine meat 1 -14 33 Tin 17 -26 50 
Poultry 5 1 0 Nickel 12 -31 49 
Seafood 0 0 20 Zinc 7 -12 30 
Fish 4 2 25 Lead 21 -18 25 
Shrimp -8 -6 -10 Uranium 29 -27 -1 
Sugar 5 30 13 
Bananas 9 0 4 Energy 17 -37 26 
Oranges 15 -18 13 Natural gas  14 -37 3 
Beverages 9 2 14 Crude petroleum 17 -36 28 
Coffee 9 -12 26 Coal 22 -44 38 
Cocoa beans 14 12 8 
Tea 1 16 1   All primary commodities 14 -30 26 
 aExcluding crude petroleum . 
 
 
Appendix  Table 6:  Most dynamic products in developing economies' exports, 2008-2010 
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
Code Value  Percentage change  Share of developing 
economies in world 
Code Description 2010  2009 2010 08-10a  2008 2009 2010 
971 Gold, non-monetary (excl.  ores) 48  33 20 60  41 58 51 
541 Medicinal and pharmaceutical 
products, other than group 542 17  22 24 51  11 12 13 
793 Ships, boats and floating structures 36  12 31 46  46 60 63 
621 Materials of rubber 7  -4 52 46  25 30 34 
061 Sugars, molasses and honey 17  0 46 45  53 54 61 
288 Non-ferrous waste and scrap, n.e.s. 9  -25 81 35  20 21 22 
542 Medicaments 28  1 30 32  7 7 9 
575 Other plastics, in primary forms 25  -12 48 31  23 25 29 
776 Transistors, valves, etc. 403  -7 40 30  67 70 72 
582 Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of 
plastics 21  -10 41 27  24 26 29 
 a 2008-10: statistics on percentage change refer to the difference between 2008 and 2010 in percentage terms 
rather than the average annual percentage change.  Data in  the 2009 and 2010 columns refer to annual percentage changes.  
Note : Based on SITC Rev.3 at the 3-digit level.  Figures are based on imports reported by 118 countries and economies 
reporting their trade to the UNSD Comtrade Database.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 50  
 
  Appendix Table 7:  Network of  developing economies merchandise trade by product and region, 
2008 and 2010 
(Billion dollars) 
 Destinations 
 World  Developed 
economies  Developing economies 
Reporter (origin)   Total developing Asia Other 
product 2008 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010 2008 2010 2008 2010 
       
Developing economies            
       
Agricultural 
products 466.92 511.86  208.21 211.10  238.35 276.94 118.80 149.19 119.56 127.75 
Food 392.55 426.18  173.94 176.88  199.62 227.82 89.46 110.39 110.16 117.43 
Fuels and mining 
products 1876.48 1624.79  910.38 697.52  880.25 843.71 682.84 664.96 197.40 178.75 
Fuels 1624.05 1348.12  797.46 586.82  745.84 682.79 580.13 535.04 165.71 147.75 
Non-fuel 
minerals 252.43 276.67  112.92 110.70  134.40 160.92 102.71 129.91 31.69 31.00 
Manufactures 3512.66 3778.66  1819.39 1877.01  1574.89 1792.91 985.00 1164.21 589.89 628.70 
Iron and steel 200.83 143.19  77.86 44.21  118.55 95.93 61.22 52.61 57.33 43.32 
Office & telecom equipment 882.85 991.11  482.34 530.60  391.79 451.97 333.65 386.13 58.14 65.85 Automotive 
products 222.35 238.82  115.56 120.51  91.56 108.74 22.88 30.85 68.68 77.89 
Textiles 140.22 157.65  53. 80 57.65  79.06 92.96 41.60 51.43 37.45 41.53 
Clothing 238.18 242.42  181.59 189.17  38.65 40.75 14.29 13.76 24.36 26.99 
Total merchandise 6019.69 6096.35  2977.86 2838.92  2745.94 2986.64 1813.52 2022.68 932.42 963.96 
       
       
Latin America and the Caribbean           
       
Agricultural 
products 172.67 182.05  86.85 84.66  77.23 88.91 27.13 35.75 50.10 53.15 
Food 155.63 163.91  76.73 74.74  70.70 81.23 23.27 30.68 47.43 50.54 
Fuels and mining products 316.25 294.02  197.39 163.08  115.41 129.06 45.18 70.44 70.23 58.61 
Fuels 216.66 176.52  142.96 110.98  70.52 63.82 14.40 19.40 56.12 44.42 
Non-fuel minerals 99.59 117.50  54.43 52.11  44.89 65.23 30.78 51.04 14.11 14.19 
Manufactures 388.13 373.76  265.73 259.04  120.69 113.72 14.54 14.29 106.16 99.43 
Iron and steel 28.21 18.89  13.40 7.66  14.68 11.16 4.70 3.90 9.98 7.26 Office & telecom 
equipment 62.38 64.90  53.51 57.43  8.86 7.46 2.26 2.13 6.59 5.33 
Automotive products 69.10 77.90  45.79 52.44  22.90 25.25 0.56 1.06 22.33 24.19 
Textiles 6.06 5.41  2. 51 2.21  3.50  3.18 0.09 0. 09 3.41 3.09 
Clothing 17.59 15.41  15.22 13.83  2.35 1.57 0.02 0.02 2.33 1.55 
Total merchandise 894.73 875.32  559.82 522.71  314.25 332.77 86.93 120.60 227.32 212.17 
       
       
Developing Europe            
       
Agricultural 
products 16.72 17.92  8.20 8.51  6.64 7.35 0.46 0.67 6.18 6.69 
Food 15.11 16.45  7.17 7.55  6.19 6.94 0.41 0.60 5.78 6.35 
Fuels and mining 
products 17.67 15.05  8.22 7.03  7.13 7.16 1.72 2.30 5.40 4.86 
Fuels 10.40 7.46  3.89 2.78  4.95 4.26 0.61 0.53 4.34 3.73 Non-fuel 
minerals 7.27 7.60  4.32 4.25  2.17 2.90 1.11 1.77 1.06 1.13 
Manufactures 127.27 107.62  75.63 62.77  36.40 33.22 2.71 2.78 33.70 30.43 
Iron and steel 19.34 11.94  6.00 3.24  12.77 8.29 0.45 0.52 12.31 7.77 
Office & telecom 
equipment 3.07 2.56  2.49 2.13  0.44 0.33 0.04 0.03 0.40 0.29 Automotive 
products 18.43 14.25  14.14 11.48  2.01 1.91 0.10 0.10 1.91 1.82 
Textiles 9.76 9.29  5. 71 5.16  2.13  2.42 0.28 0. 29 1.85 2.13 
Clothing 16.17 14.82  14.03 12.86  1.17 1.21 0.05 0.07 1.12 1.14 
Total merchandise 168.15 145.71  95.55 81.00  52.89 49.86 5.32 6.45 47.56 43.41 
  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 51 
 
 
  Appendix Table 7:  Network of  developing economies merchandise trade by product and region, 
2008 and 2010 (continued) 
 
(Billion dollars) 
 Destinations 
 World  Developed 
economies  Developing economies 
Reporter (origin)   Total developing Asia Other 
product 2008 2010  2008 2010  2008 2010 2008 2010 2008 2010 
       
Africa            
       
Agricultural 
products 45.37 54.82  23.66 23.55  19.31 25.50 5.25 7.20 14.06 18.30 
Food 35.79 43.76  18.95 19.16  14.85 20.06 2.47 3.61 12.38 16.45 
Fuels and mining 
products 396.98 333.18  273.05 196.14  119.04 127.36 78.60 85.44 40.44 41.92 
Fuels 351.25 284.46  247.68 171.40  99.65 104.37 64.48 67.17 35.17 37.20 Non-fuel 
minerals 45.73 48.72  25.37 24.74  19.39 22.99 14.12 18.27 5.27 4.72 
Manufactures 99.42 94.62  56.91 48.56  40.36 43.75 10.54 11.53 29.82 32.22 
Iron and steel 11.89 9.53  6.02 3.85  5.73 5.61 2.62 2.38 3.11 3.24 
Office & telecom 
equipment 2.76 2.84  1.46 1.67  1.26 1.13 0.33 0.43 0.93 0.70 Automotive 
products 7.67 7.65  4.89 4.44  2.73 3.17 0.31 0.43 2.42 2.75 
Textiles 2.44 2.66  1. 52 1.45  0.86  1.06 0.08 0. 12 0.77 0.94 
Clothing 12.24 9.35  11.09 8.51  0.70 0.67 0.04 0.05 0.66 0.63 
Total merchandise 560.78 508.05  358.73 274.37  190.50 211.92 97.85 110.49 92.65 101.43 
       
       
Middle East           
       
Agricultural 
products 21.76 22.28  2.99 2.80  17.57 17.93 2.15 2.51 15.42 15.42 
Food 20.33 20.82  2.46 2.36  16.74 16.99 1.83 2.14 14.90 14.85 
Fuels and mining products 758.25 609.45  310.07 224.73  382.02 322.23 336.52 282.00 45.50 40.22 
Fuels 741.96 596.42  307.91 223.17  368.13 311.26 327.61 275.89 40.52 35.38 
Non-fuel 
minerals 16.30 13.03  2.15 1.56  13.89 10.96 8.91 6.12 4.98 4.85 
Manufactures 176.09 196.75  58.07 53.19  112.15 135.13 37.67 57.77 74.47 77.37 
Iron and steel 6.04 5.79  0.51 0.42  5.39 5.24 0.71 1.39 4.68 3.85 
Office & telecom equipment 11.17 12.23  3.61 3.11  6.63 8.27 2.16 2.67 4.47 5.60 
Automotive 
products 13.91 14.62  2.01 0.57  10.77 12.29 0.61 0.74 10.16 11.55 Textiles 5.89 5.75  1. 30 1.48  4.34  4.06 0.56 0. 46 3.78 3.60 
Clothing 3.58 3.42  1.48 1.20  1.85 1.97 0.14 0.11 1.71 1.87 
Total merchandise 1023.42 894.93  375.18 287.45  519.99 495.55 382.35 357.99 137.64 137.56 
       
       
Developing Asia            
       
Agricultural 
products 210.41 234.80  86.50 91.58  117.60 137.25 83.81 103.06 33.79 34.19 
Food 165.69 181.24  68.63 73.08  91.15 102.59 61.48 73.36 29.67 29.24 
Fuels and mining 
products 387.32 373.09  121.65 106.54  256.65 257.90 220.82 224.77 35.83 33.13 
Fuels 303.78 283.26  95.01 78.50  202.59 199.07 173.03 172.05 29.56 27.01 Non-fuel 
minerals 83.54 89.83  26.64 28.04  54.06 58.83 47.79 52.71 6.27 6.12 
Manufactures 2721.76 3005.91  1363.05 1453.46  1265.28 1467.09 919.54 1077.85 345.74 389.24 
Iron and steel 135.34 97.03  51.93 29.06  79.98 65.62 52.73 44.42 27.25 21.20 
Office & telecom 
equipment 803.46 908.59  421.27 466.26  374.60 434.79 328.85 380.87 45.75 53.92 Automotive products 113.24 124.40  48.74 51.59  53.15 66.13 21.30 28.53 31.85 37.60 
Textiles 116.08 134.55  42. 76 47.34  68.23 82.24 40.59 50.46 27.64 31.78 
Clothing 188.59 199.42  139.77 152.78  32.57 35.32 14.03 13.51 18.54 21.81 
Total merchandise 3372.61 3672.35  1588.57 1673.38  1668.31 1896.54 1241.06 1427.16 427.24 469.38 WT/COMTD/W/181 
Page 52  
 
  Appendix 8:  Composition of reporter and partner groups 
 
DEVELOPING ECONOMIES include 
 
Latin America (including the Caribbean):  
 
 Mexico (classified within North America in the International Trade Statistics 
publication); 
 Central America:  Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua 
and Panama; 
 South America:  Argentina, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Plurinational State of 
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador , Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, 
Uruguay; 
 The Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, 
Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, 
Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sain t Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad 
and Tobago; 
 Other countries and territories in Latin America n.e.s. 
 
Developing Europe:  
 
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia , former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 
Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. 
 
Africa:  
 
 North Africa:  Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia  
 Sub-Saharan Africa:  Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, 
Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Ch ad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the 
Congo, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, 
Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Ma uritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, 
Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe , Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, 
Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland,  United Republic of Tanzania, Togo, 
Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 
 
Middle East:  
 
Bahrain, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 
Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and 
Yemen. 
 
Developing Asia:  
 
Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei Da russalam; Cambodia; China; Fiji; Hong 
Kong Special Administrative Region of China (Hong Kong, China); India; Indonesia; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic ; Maldives; Macau, China; Malaysia; 
Mongolia; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Republic of 
Korea; Samoa; Separate Customs Territo ry of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
(Chinese Taipei); Singapore; Solomon Isla nds; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Tonga; Tuvalu; 
Vanuatu; Viet Nam, and other countries and te rritories in Asia and the Pacific n.e.s.  WT/COMTD/W/181 
 Page 53 
 
 
  THE LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (LDCs) include: 
 
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros,  Democratic Republic of the Congo, 
Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethi opia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, 
Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic , Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, 
Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, My anmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, 
Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra  Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, 
Timor Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Unite d Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Yemen 
and Zambia. 
 
Note: the LDCs is a sub-group of developing economies in the report. 
 
DEVELOPED ECONOMIES include: 
 North America (excluding Mexico for this report): 
 Bermuda, Canada, United States of America, and territories in North America n.e.s. 
 
Developed Europe:  
 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech  Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, 
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands , Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, 
Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Swed en, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and 
territories in Europe n.e.s. 
 
Developed Asia:  
 
Australia, Japan and New Zealand. 
 
THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) include: 
 
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, 
Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turk menistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. 
 
THE NICs (6) or "Six East-Asian traders" include: 
 
Hong Kong, China; the Republic of Korea;  Malaysia; Singapore;  Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei); and Thailand. 
 
 
__________