WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
16 October 2008 
 (08-4960) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
 
UNITED STATES 
 
Addendum  
 
 
 The following communication, dated 9 October 2008, from the Delegation of the 
United States is being circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on Implementation of 
Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement.  
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. The United States is committed to continually e nhancing its activities relevant to Article 66.2 
of the TRIPS Agreement, namely the provision of incentives to its domestic enterprises and 
institutions to promote and encourage technology transfer to least developed country Members 
(LDCs) in order to enable such Members to create a sound and viable  technological base.  The United 
States is also seeking to improve the quality of its reporting regarding acti ons taken or planned in 
connection with Article 66.2, in keeping with  the guidelines established in the TRIPS Council's 
Decision of 20 February 2003. 
2. In October 2006, the United States provide d the required triennial detailed report 
(IP/C/W/480/Add.6).  In October 2007 the United States provided an updated report, which was 
intended to improve our reporting by focusing on technology transfer incentives of particular 
relevance to LDC Members, and by adding ne w elements, including a focus on incentives for 
technology transfer in the field of public health and on US tax incentives for private sector work in 
international development (IP/C/W/ 497/Add.5).  In this year's re port we provide an update, and 
include new information on types of bilateral treat ies and agreements through which the US provides 
incentives to the private sector to engage in technology transfer to developing countries. 
3. We have also this year provided an update d listing of a number of country-specific activities 
relevant to the Article 66.2 obligation. 
4. The intellectual property, trade capacity, traini ng, development assistance, and infrastructure-
related programmes outlined in this report are inte gral elements of the United States Government's 
efforts to help create the conditions  essential to encouraging the eff ective transfer of technology to 
LDC Members.   IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  5. The private sector does respond to these incentives.  For exampl e, the leading sources of FDI 
flows to sub-Saharan Africa incl ude the United States, along with the United Kingdom, Germany, and 
France.  At year-end 2007 (most recent data availabl e), the US direct investment position rose 4.9 per 
cent from 2006, to US$13.3 billion.  US investment supported trade with the region and enhanced US-
African business partnerships. 
6. The US continues to believe that the effec tive functioning of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS 
Agreement relies on a fulsome dialogue between de veloped and LDC Members in order to target 
incentives in a way that is most responsive to the self-identified t echnology transfer interests and 
needs of LDC Members.  The United States appreciat es the related discussions on technical assistance 
that have taken place this year between Uganda, Si erra Leone, and member States, and looks forward, 
in the TRIPS Council and bilaterally, to c ontinuing to engage in such dialogue. 
II. INCENTIVES RELATED TO HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES:  US NATIONAL 
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES 
7. Ongoing biomedical and behavioural research funding activities of the National Institutes of 
Health (NIH), an agency within the US Department  of Health and Human Services, have contributed 
to technology transfer and capacity building in several LDCs.  Some examples include: 
A. HIV/AIDS
 CLINICAL TRIALS NETWORKS AND CLINICAL TRIAL UNITS (CTU S) AND CLINICAL 
RESEARCH SITES (CRS S) 
8. The HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks and their CTU/CRS will pursue clinical trials to 
address the highest priorities in HIV/AIDS res earch, including:  (1) vaccine research and 
development;  (2) translational research/drug devel opment;  (3) optimization of clinical management, 
including co-morbidities;  (4) microbicides;  (5) pr evention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV;  
and (6) prevention of HIV infection.  Collaborative research is carried out worldwide, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States. 
B. M
ULTILATERAL INITIATIVE ON MALARIA (MIM)   
9. NIH, together with the Special Programme for Training and Research in Tropical Diseases 
(TDR) located at the World Health Organization,  co-founded the MIM in 1997 and has supported its 
activities in LDCs and elsewhere since then.  MIM's mission is to increase and enhance worldwide research on malaria by facilitating multinational r esearch cooperation.  NIH has also established 
malaria research facilities in Mali and Ghana and has trained local scientists a nd physicians to conduct 
malaria research from within endemic countries, including those in several LDCs in Africa. 
C. NIH
 INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH FOCUS IN AFRICA   
10. NIH supports and has funded research activities in 26 African countries, including the 
following WTO Member LDC countries in Africa:  Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, 
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Madagascar, Ma lawi, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, 
Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.  These research act ivities contribute directly to the strengthening of 
research capacity in these countries, thereby enhancing prospects for further transfer of technology in 
the future. 
11. HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria are three of the most serious global infectious diseases in Africa, 
causing millions of deaths each year.  These three diseases are a major cause of poverty through their 
debilitating impact on the active workforce, and significantly affect economic development and 
stability of the region.  NIH's National Institute of  Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports  IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  HIV/AIDS research in many African countries, with most projects conducted in areas with the highest 
incidence of infection and disease, namely Bots wana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, 
Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  The recent emergenc e of Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR TB) and 
Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR TB), especially in the context of HIV/AIDS infection, is being 
addressed by NIAID-funded projects conducted in Tan zania and Uganda, as well as in South Africa.  
Malaria remains a major threat, and NIAID conducts clinical, epidemiological, drug, and vaccine and 
vector research in African LD C countries such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, The Gambia, Malawi, 
Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. 
12. Neglected diseases such as filariasis, schistoso miasis, sleeping sickness, and others are 
receiving renewed attention, with NIAID projects in  Malawi, as well as in Kenya and South Africa.  
NIAID supported a major pneumococcal vaccine trial in The Gambia that was 77 per cent effective in 
preventing pneumococcal infections caused by th e vaccine serotypes.  NIAID recently supported a 
clinical trail in Madagascar that demonstrated equi valence of azithromycin and benzathine penicillin 
(the current standard) for treatment of early syph ilis.  Almost all NIH supported research has helped 
not only in technology transfer to African LDCs but also in capacity building for researcher s so that 
they may better address infectious diseases endemic to their respective countries. 
D. NIH  RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME DEVELOPING 
COUNTRIES   
13. NIH's Fogarty International Center runs several research training programmes that include 
training for LDC biomedical researchers and rese arch institutions and contribute to technology 
transfer and capacity building in LDCs.  Among these are the AIDS International Training and 
Research Programme (AITRP), the Global Infec tious Disease Research Training Programme (GID), 
and the International Clinical, Operational and H ealth Services Research and Training Award for 
AIDS and Tuberculosis (ICOHRTA-AIDS/TB).  Th e AITRP programme includes researchers from 
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Haiti, Lesotho, Malawi, Mo zambique, Rwanda, Senega l, Tanzania, Uganda, 
Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  The GID helps to tr ain researchers from Bangladesh, Tanzania, Mali, 
Malawi, Uganda, Cameroon, Cambodia, Senegal,  and Papua New Guinea, among others.  The 
ICOHRTA-AIDS/TB programme trai ns researchers from Haiti, Ug anda, and Zimbabwe and has 
provided funds for planning grants in Mala wi, Tanzania, and Botswana, and elsewhere. 
14. NIH's Fogarty International Center, along with 11 NIH Institutes and Offices, also supports a 
"Global Research Initiative Program for New Foreig n Investigators (GRIP)" that promotes productive 
re-entry of NIH-trained foreign investigators into their home countries as part of a broader programme 
to enhance the scientific research infrastructure in developing countries, to stimulate research on a 
wide variety of high priority health-related issues in these countries, and to advance NIH efforts to 
address health issues of global import.  This re verse "brain flight" initiative promotes capacity 
building by providing partial salaries to NIH-trained foreign researchers returning home and support for research projects.  The GRIP programme is divided into two components:  Behavioral and Social 
Science;  and Basic Science.  The programme provides support for researchers from Brazil, Chile, 
Colombia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Peru, Sout h Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and other countries.   
E. T
ECHNOLOGY LICENSES  
15. NIH has licensed rights to use a conjugate vacci ne technology developed at the US Food and 
Drug Administration (FDA) to PATH of Seattle, Washington, for its Meningitis Vaccine Project in collaboration with the World Health Organization.  The goal is to vaccinate the population at risk in 
Sub-Saharan Africa in what is called the "meningitis  belt".  This includes:  Benin, Burkina Faso, 
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethi opia, The Gambia, Guin ea, Guinea Faso, Mali, 
Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, and Uganda. IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  16. NIH has licensed to International Vaccine In stitute (IVI) of Seoul, Korea technology and 
biological materials used to produce a typhoid fever vaccine.  IVI plans to produce and distribute the vaccine in endemic regions, initially in cluding:  Bangladesh and Mozambique. 
17. NIH has also licensed rights for its high efficiency conjugation technology to Cape 
Biologicals of Johannesburg, South Africa to manufacture and distribute a Haemophilus influenzae 
type b conjugate (Hib) vaccine in South Africa.  The company is expected to also supply the 
conjugate in bulk form to devel oping country vaccine manufacturers 
18. NIH has licensed to Innovative Biotech of Keffi, Nigeria technology and biological materials 
to also produce a typhoid fever vaccine in Africa.  Innovative Biotech plans to distribute the vaccine 
to countries to developing countries in Africa with a per capita GDP of less than US$20,000 per 
annum. 
III. INCENTIVES FOR US INVESTMENT IN AFRICA 
A. B
ILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATIES  
19. US Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) promote US investment in the economies of our 
partner countries by advancing impor tant reforms and encouraging the adoption of policies that 
facilitate and support foreign investment.  US BITs  establish a framework of reciprocal protections 
that include nondiscriminatory treatment, free transfer  of investment-related funds, prompt, adequate, 
and effective compensation in the event of an expr opriation, and transparency in governance.  These 
treaties provide incentives for US companies to en gage in FDI, joint ventures and other forms of 
investment in our partner countries that can lead to  the transfer of technology and know-how.  At the 
start of 2008, the United States had five BIT partners  in sub-Saharan Africa, three of whom are WTO 
LDC Members:  the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Mozambi que.  In addition, in 
February 2008, President Bush and Rwandan Pr esident Kagame signed the United States-Rwanda 
BIT.  This BIT will enter into force following approv al of the Treaty by the United States Senate and 
the Rwanda Parliament. 
B. TRADE AND INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS  
20. US Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) help enhance trade and 
investment relations between the United States a nd key sub-Saharan African trade and investment 
partners.  Since 2001, the Administration has laun ched ten TIFAs in sub-Saharan Africa – with 
Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Liberia, Mauritiu s, Mozambique, Rwanda, the Common Market for 
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community, and UEMOA (French acronym for the West African Economic and Moneta ry Union), covering 16 WTO LDC Members.  In 
addition, in July 2008, the United States signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative 
Agreement (TIDCA) with the five members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU): Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, and South Africa.  The United States is using TIFAs and the 
TIDCA with sub-Saharan African countries to enc ourage new trade and investment by implementing 
country- and region-specific strategies that promote trade and investment. 
C. O
VERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION (OPIC)  PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT 
FUNDS  
21. In February 2008, President Bush announced that the Overseas Private Investment 
Corporation (OPIC) would support five new private e quity investment funds, with a combined target 
capitalization of US$875 million, designed to invest in  a variety of sectors vital to Africa's economic 
development, including health care, housing, te lecommunications, and small and medium-sized 
enterprises.  Overall, OPIC is currently suppor ting 14 investment funds in Africa, representing  IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  US$1 billion in commitments to leverage as much as  US$4 billion of new investment in the region.  
In addition, OPIC is currently providing over US$2 billion in financing and political-risk insurance to 
83 projects and investment funds in sub-Saharan Africa. 
IV. INCENTIVES UNDER US TAX LAW 
22. Through a variety of provisions of US tax law, the US Government provides extensive 
incentives to private institutions engaged in activities dir ectly relevant to the transfer of technology.   
23. Under US tax law, many institutions (such as charities, private foundations, religious 
institutions, and certain non-gove rnmental organizations) qualify for an exemption from federal 
income taxation by virtue of being organized a nd operated to carry out charitable work, including 
internationally.  In addition, individual American taxpayers who make personal contributions to such 
charitable institutions or foundations generally also  benefit from a reduction in income tax liability, 
subject to certain maximum limits. 
24. These tax-based incentives have played a signifi cant role in the development of a vibrant 
culture of international philanthropy in the United St ates.  OECD data indicate that non-governmental 
organizations based in the United States delivered US$6.3 billion in grants to low-income developing 
countries in 2003.  The existence of tax incentives intended to encourage such grant-making can be 
generally regarded as having a major impact on decision-making, both by individual donors and 
institutions, to direct financial resources to wards international developmental activity. 
25. Many foundations, NGOs and othe r institutions in the United States are engaged in activities 
directly relevant to promoting and encouraging tech nology transfer to least developed countries.  In 
preparing this report, the United States identified foundation-led programmes relevant to the transfer 
of technology, including the following illustrative activities. 
• Enhancing health care management systems, with a focus on HIV/AIDS care; 
• Upgrading research laboratory and medical facilities; 
• PhD level training of crop breeders; 
• Support for diffusion of new irrigation technologies. 
26. The United States intends, in the next substan tive revision of this report, to elaborate in 
greater detail on such activities and programmes, a nd the role of tax incentives in fostering them. 
V. US DEPARTMENT OF STATE PROGRAMMES 
A. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENTS  
27. Recognizing the importance of science-based re search in promoting economic growth and 
development, the United States establishes science and technology (S&T) cooperation agreements 
with developing countries.  S&T agreements build  science capacity and infrastructure and apply 
science, technology, and engineering to facilitate a developing country's inte gration into the global 
economy.  Areas covered by S&T agreements in clude:  basic research and science education, 
meteorology and weather forecasting, health scien ces and public health, watershed management, 
environment and biodiversity protection, energy an d alternative energy research and development, 
information and communications technology, a nd biotechnology.  An S&T agreement was signed 
between the United States and Bangladesh in Marc h 2003.  There have also been many bilateral 
technical agency agreements with countries throughout Africa on various topics including, for IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  example, HIV/AIDs, infectious disease, seismic ac tivity, remote sensing, agriculture, environment, 
and energy. 
B. S
PECIAL SELF-HELP PROGRAMME  
28. Another initiative that has science and technolog y-related impact is the State Department's 
Special Self-Help (SSH) Programme, which s upports funding of community-based development 
projects that often have a technology transfer comp onent.  Programmes have included installation of 
solar energy panels in community facilities, constr uction of computer laboratories, eco-tourism, and 
others.  The SSH Programme began in 1964 as an expe rimental programme in Togo, and has grown to 
be one of the US's most visible and successful as sistance programmes in Africa.  In fiscal year 
(FY) 2007, US$1,670,000 in SSH funds were granted to projects in WTO LDC Members.   
VI. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 
29. "Aid for Trade" or Trade Capacity Building assistance (TCB) is a cornerstone of the US 
Government's strategy to promote economic growth  through trade and to enable developing countries 
to negotiate and implement mark et-opening and reform-oriented trade agreements.  TCB helps to 
improve the linkage between trade and development by providing developing countries with tools to 
maximize trade opportunities, including through fo stering environments favourable to technology 
transfer.  The United States considers its TCB activiti es to be an integral element in its efforts to 
provide incentives for technology transfer, in keep ing with Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement. 
30. The United States obligated US$505 million to trade capacity building (TCB) activities in 
sub-Saharan Africa in FY2007, up 26 per cent fro m FY2006.  Cumulative US TCB to sub-Saharan 
Africa from FY2001 to FY2007 totalled US$1.6 billion.1  The Office of the US Trade Representative 
(USTR) works closely with several US agencies , including the US Agency for International 
Development (USAID), the Millennium Challe nge Corporation (MCC), Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP), the US Trade and Develo pment Agency (USTDA), the Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the Depart ments of State, Agriculture, Commerce, and 
Transportation to ensure that US-sponsored TCB assistance is comprehensive and responsive to both 
African needs and US trade policy objectives.  He lping the African Growth and Opportunity Act 
(AGOA) beneficiary countries improve their capac ity to trade and to make the most of the 
opportunities afforded under AGOA has been a major focus of US TCB programmes.  Mauritania and 
Togo – both WTO LDC Members – became eligible  for AGOA in 2007/08, bringing the number of 
WTO LDC Member AGOA beneficiary countries up to 24, the highest number ever.  
VII. MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION 
31. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a US development assistance programme 
designed to achieve poverty reducti on through economic growth by investing in areas such as 
agriculture development, education, enterprise a nd private sector development, governance, health, 
infrastructure, land titling, and trade and investment capacity building.  The MCC is now in its fifth 
year of operation and has committed more than US$6.5 billion in project funding.  The MCC is the 
largest source of US Government Trade Capacity  Building (TCB) funding for sub-Saharan Africa. 
32. As of September 2008, the MCC has threshol d or compact agreements with ten WTO 
Member LDCs:  Benin, Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, 
Uganda and Zambia.  Three others  – Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal – are MCC-eligible and all are in 
the process of developing partnerships with MCC.  Additionally, MCC has programmes with 
Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu and Yemen, all countries in the accession process.  MCC has 
                                                      
1 2008 AGOA Report  IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  committed about US$3 billion to LDCs for economic growth programmes, about half of which is 
Aid-for-Trade programmes.  MCC is currently ne gotiating compacts with Malawi and Senegal.  
Trade-related assistance is earmarked for port, tran sportation and irrigation in frastructure, modernized 
payment and settlement systems, land administration reform, creation of agricultural business centres, 
industrial park development, and border management systems - all of which will serve as incentives 
for increased US private sector inv estment and technology transfer. 
VIII.  US TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
33. The US Trade and Development Agency (UST DA) advances economic development and US 
commercial interests in developing and middle income  countries.  The Agency funds various forms of 
technical assistance, early investment analysis, trai ning, orientation visits and business workshops that 
support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open tradi ng environment.  USTDA 
is dedicated to promoting public-private partners hips and, through its provision of grant funding, 
assists its partners during the critical planning phases of priority infrast ructure, trade capacity 
building, and economic growth projects that promote the effective transfer of technology to LDCs.  
Recognizing the importance of trade to LDC grow th, USTDA works closely with USTR, other US 
Government agencies, and regional economic co mmunities to develop trade capacity and apply 
private sector solutions to development challe nges worldwide.  In FY2008, USTDA provided over 
US$3.3 million in assistance activities designed to creat e an enabling environment for increased trade 
and investment in LDCs. 
IX. US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION   
34. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) plays an important role in maintaining the 
strong, interconnected global transportation system vital for economic growth in the United States and 
abroad.  DOT is engaged in a wide range of activ ities designed to enhance the transportation capacity 
and infrastructure of sub-Saharan African countries.  
35. The Safe Skies for Africa Programme (SSFA) is based on the premise that "Safe Skies" are a 
prerequisite for increased trade and investment a nd long-term economic devel opment in Africa.  The 
safety and security components complement US Government efforts to conclude Open Skies 
agreements with key African countries and promote code-share agreements between US and African 
airlines.  In 2007, the SSFA continued in its mission to promote sustainable improvements in aviation safety in Africa as a means of advancing economic  development and increased investment between 
the United States and Africa.  The overarching goal of  the programme is to increase the number of 
African nations meeting International Civil Avia tion Organization (ICAO) standards for safety and 
security.  Aviation safety and security has been enha nced in each of the countries where equipment 
and training have been provided.  The SSFA programme supports a regional approach to the 
development and implementation of  an ICAO-compliant Civil Aviation Authority.  The DOT has 
trained African experts at the Federal Aviation Administration facility in Oklahoma City, and in-
country where appropriate, resulting in hundreds of personnel receiving state-of-the-art training to 
address airworthiness, operations and navigation throughout the continent .  
X. US AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
36. USAID is one of the principal US Government agencies involved in implementing the goal of 
promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in  developing countries around the world.  In 
particular, helping LDCs integrate into the world economy is a primary objective of USAID's 
economic growth and trade activities, which focu s on trade and investment policy, institutional 
analysis and reform, trade capacity building and t echnical training, and the promotion of US-Africa 
private sector development.  As mentioned, USAID plays a key role in providing Aid for Trade or Trade Capacity Building assistance to LDCs.  USAID is the second largest USG provider of TCB IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  after MCC, providing US$92.6 million in TCB as sistance for sub-Saharan Africa in FY2007 alone, 
and USAID is the main on-the-ground implemen ter of TCB activities in sub-Saharan Africa. 
A. A
FRICAN GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INITIATIVE  
37. An initiative called the African Global Compe titiveness Initiative (AGCI) is one of USAID's 
main TCB programmes in sub-Saharan.  Th e five-year (2006-2010), US$200 million AGCI was 
designed to help expand African trade and investment  with the United States, with other international 
trading partners, and regionally within Africa by improving the export competitiveness of sub-
Saharan African enterprises.  AGCI's objectives are:   1) to improve the business climate for private 
sector-led trade and investment;  2) to strengthe n the knowledge and skills of sub-Saharan African 
private sector enterprises to take advantage of market  opportunities;  3) to increase access to financial 
services for trade and investment;  and 4) to fac ilitate investments in infrastructure.  The AGCI 
operates within the framework of AGOA and works w ith host-country government and private sector 
partners through the four USAID- managed Regional Trade Hubs for Global Competitiveness in sub-
Saharan Africa (in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal).  Each Hub is st affed by a team of experts in 
various trade-related fields and responds to region-specific needs and serves as a central point where 
African and US government agencies, donor and civil society organizations, and the private sector can 
find information and technical assistance on trade,  investment, and business activities in the region, 
including training opportunities.  The Hubs work with regional organizatio ns to increase regional 
economic integration, reduce barriers to regional trad e, and facilitate investment in infrastructure, 
which works to encourage greater investment.  In  FY2007 the Hubs helped African countries generate 
US$23.9 million in AGOA exports.  Further informati on about the Hubs can be found on the Internet 
at www.watradehub.com (for the two hubs in West  Africa), www.satradehub.org (for Southern 
Africa), and www.ecatradehub.com (for Eastern and Central Africa). 
38. The following is a brief summary of other ke y USAID initiatives that in centivize the transfer 
of technology to LDCs. 
B. USAID  GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE (GDA) 
39. The Global Development Alliance (GDA) mob ilizes the ideas, efforts and resources of 
governments, businesses and civil society by forging public-private alliances to stimulate economic 
growth, develop businesses and workforces, addre ss health and environmental issues, and expand 
access to education and technology.  Since FY2002, USAID has obligated US$1.1 billion to approximately 290 public-private alliances wo rldwide, and leveraged over US$3.7 billion in 
committed partner contributions.  Through these alliances, USAID has not only gained additional 
financial resources for development activities, but also new technologies, intellectual capital and 
technical and managerial expertise that enhance its  ability to address an incr easingly complex set of 
development challenges. 
C. USAID
 DIGITAL FREEDOM INITIATIVE   
40. The Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI) is a five-year programme organized by the Departments 
of Commerce and State, USAID, USA Freedom Corps, and the Peace Corps.  DFI promotes economic 
growth by transferring the benefits of informa tion and communication technology to entrepreneurs 
and small businesses in the developing world.  Key elements of the DFI are:  (1) placing volunteers in small businesses to share business knowledge and tec hnology expertise;  (2) promoting pro-growth 
regulatory and legal structures to enhance busin ess competitiveness;  and (3) leveraging existing 
technology and communications infrastructure in new ways to help entrepreneurs and small 
businesses better compete in both the regional and gl obal market place.  To expand the lessons and 
impact of the DFI programme, USAID, the Intern ational Development Research Center, and the 
University of Western Cape in South Africa have formed a community of practice to develop custom  IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  software solutions and information technology syst ems.  The partner agencies involved with the DFI 
would enter into a new programme, in which each brings its competencies to bear on a key development challenge facing Information Tech nology (IT) sectors in Africa around software 
engineering and IT systems deployment that span s more than 13 universities in over 10 countries. 
D. USAID
 LELAND INITIATIVE  
41. The USAID Leland Initiative and the Federa l Communications Commission (FCC) have 
continued collaboration to strengthen te lecommunications policy and build African 
telecommunications regulatory capacity.  The pr ogramme strengthens associations of African 
regulators; uses experts from the FCC and state level regulatory bodies to help United States and 
African university programmes on effective regul ation;  and provides technical assistance to 
regulators in more than 20 countries.  In the past ye ar, this effort has provided direct assistance to six 
countries.  The programme has also provided techni cal assistance for regional efforts to promote 
communications market integration in West Africa. 
E. USAID  WEST AFRICA POWER POOL   
42. Increased availability of low cost, environmenta lly friendly electricity is critical to economic 
development and trade with West Africa.  In FY200 5, USAID's West Africa Programme continued to 
provide support to the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP), an industry organization created by electrical utilities in the region with the goal of increasing i nvestment in the sector.  The WAPP entered a new 
phase of its development with the approval in prin ciple by the Energy Ministers of the ECOWAS 
States at the end of October 2005 of the Articles of  Agreement for a Power Pool organization.  In 
FY2005, construction began on the West Africa G as Pipeline by a consortium of US and West 
African companies and first delivery of gas is sche duled for late 2007.  USAID's investment in the 
pipeline helped regulators and governments creat e the enabling environment allowing for this 
US$615 million investment that will bring low cost fuel  to power plants in Benin, Ghana, and Togo. 
43. USAID also provides technical assistance to th e Southern, West, and Central Africa Power 
Pools.  The objective of this support is to increase access to reliable, affordable electricity through 
economically based, cross-border energy trading, wh ile also building the capacity of the continent's 
electricity utilities to deliver essential se rvices in a commercially viable manner. 
F. USAID'
S SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL INITIATIVE FOR ENERGY (SARI/E NERGY ) 
44. The SARI/Energy programme focuses on regiona l approaches to meet South Asia's energy 
security needs through increased trade, investment and access to clean energy.  Three of the eight 
partner countries in SARI/Energy are WTO Member LDCs, specifically Nepal, Bangladesh, and the 
Maldives.  Numerous exchanges have occurred in 2006 and 2007, which embody technological 
transfer.  Recent significant SARI initiatives include: 
• Fostering a partnership agreement among tw o US-based utility companies and the Dhaka 
Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO). 
• Sponsorship of an exchange between 15 Sout h Asian energy executives and counterparts 
from the Southern Africa Power Pool.  Par ticipants discussed approaches for attracting 
investment, managing energy markets in defi cit power situations and analyzing power 
trading strategies. 
• Conducting a feasibility study on interconnecti ons between Bangladesh's power grid and 
India's eastern and northeastern grids, incl uding potential interconnections involving 
Nepal and Bhutan. IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
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  • Supplying Nepalese farmers with Indian-developed solar technology used to preserve 
surplus fruits, vegetables and spices. 
XI. INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR THE LEAST DEVELOPED INITIATIVE   
45. As part of its response to the WTO Doha De velopment Agenda, the United States, through 
USAID and MCC, is providing a wide range of supp ort for the Integrated Framework (IF) for Trade-
Related Technical Assistance to Least Devel oped Countries, and its successor, the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework (EIF), an international, multi-donor programme that helps LDCs expand their 
participation in the global economy, enhance ec onomic growth, and reduce poverty.  The United 
States has participated in the IF/EIF, primarily as a bilateral provider of programmes that respond to 
priorities identified by IF participants through th eir Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS) and 
related Action Matrices, but also through contributi ons to the multilateral trust fund that supports IF 
work. 
XII. GENERAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  RIGHTS-RELATED PROGRAMMES  
A. USPTO
 GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACADEMY  
46. The United States Patent and Trademark O ffice (USPTO) trains and offers technical 
assistance on intellectual property protection and en forcement to countries around the world including 
LDCs.  In FY 2008, the USPTO conducted 70 traini ng, technical assistance, and capacity building 
programmes for over 4,100 participants. 
47. In 2007, the USPTO completed construction of  a Global Intellectual Property Academy that 
includes a 20,000 square-foot training facility at its  headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.  Through 
this dedicated space, the USPTO efficiently delivers ta rgeted training to foreign IP officials.  Training 
focuses on pertinent information for IP office admini strators, examiners, judges, prosecutors, customs 
officers, and other government officials.  LD C representatives attended 19 Global IP Academy 
programmes in 2008 as well as additional programmes at the USPTO such as the State Department's 
International Visitor Leadership Programme and the Foreign Mission Embassy Programme.  
Countries represented at these programmes included:  Afghanistan, Cape Verde, Haiti, Nepal, 
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone , Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia.   
48. Additionally, the USPTO continues to train o fficials in countries throughout the world.  
Programmes are focused on intellectual property en forcement as well as patent, trademark, and 
copyright policy and best practices.  LDC offi cials attended many USPTO programmes throughout 
the world this past year.  Participants at th ese programmes included government officials from: 
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Nepal, and Yemen. 
49. The United States provides further elaborati on of its technical assistance, training and 
technology transfer activities specific to intellect ual property rights in its  2008 Report on activities 
carried out in relation to Article 67 of the TRIPS Agreement. 
XIII.  ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIVE COUNTRY-SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES 
50. The following LDC-specific examples are inte nded to provide additional illustrations of 
United States activities being carried out in connec tion with the provision of incentives for technology 
transfer.  IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
 Page 11 
 
 
  A. BENIN  
51. Starting in January 2008, the MCC compact with Benin has provided engineering analyses 
and design for infrastructure improvements and relate d environmental studies of the Port of Cotonou. 
This has led to stricter adherence to ISPS (int ernational ship and port security) entrance and other 
regulations for the Port of Cotonou, leading to gr eater efficiency, security, and decongestion of the 
facility.  Four new microfinance institutions signe d agreements with Millennium Challenge Account 
(MCA)-Benin to be audited.  The Center for Arbitr ation, Mediation, and Conciliation is moving into a 
larger facility, where it will serve entrepreneurs, me rchants, and others by facilitating the resolution of 
commercial disputes.  These MCC-supported ac tivities provide new knowledge, capacity and 
infrastructure in Benin as well as incentives for private sector commercial investment. 
B. MADAGASCAR  
52. Through MCC's Land Tenure Project in Madag ascar and its activities to decentralize land 
management services, formal property rights are being made accessible to rural farmers for the first time.  The project has opened 19 local land manage ment offices and plans to open another 236 offices 
in 2008.  Through the Agricultural Business Investment Project, MCA-Madagascar has provided 
technical assistance to over 14,300 farmers and fac ilitated farmer groups in  mobilizing microfinance 
loans worth US$541,000.  MCA-Madagascar has estab lished six Agricultural Business Centers.  
These centers provide rural entrepreneurs with training and technical assistance on agribusiness technology, accessing credit and management skills.  
C. M
ALAWI  
53. The MCC sponsored a sovereign credit rating for Malawi, which was recently upgraded from 
CCC+ to B-.  A higher sovereign credit rating indicates improved financial transparency and 
practices, which increases a country's prospects for foreign direct investment. 
D. MALI 
54. MCC's new partnership with the Alliance fo r a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is 
solidifying and will expand opportunities for Ma li's Alatona farmers and boost private sector 
capacities in post-harvest systems and value-added processing. 
E. WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA  
55. In March 2008, the US Department of Agri culture (USDA) led a trade and investment 
mission to the West and Central Africa regions.  Se venteen US agribusinesses participated in the trade 
mission, representing importers and exporters of seafood, horticulture, agriculture processing, meat 
and poultry, agriculture equipment, seed industry, general food, beverages, water purification systems 
and investors.  A total of 110 African compani es from eight countries, including WTO Member LDCs 
Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sierra Leone and Togo,  attended events during the mission.  The trade 
mission provided US participants with first-hand market information, access to foreign government 
decision makers, and one-on-one meetings with business contacts, including potential agents, 
distributors and partners, so they can position th emselves to enter or expand two-way trade and 
investment in the African market.  This USDA  initiative provided incentives for US businesses to 
consider partnering with African companies, providi ng both investment and the transfer of technology 
pertinent to these sectors. IP/C/W/519/Add.3 
Page 12  
 
  F. L
IBERIA  
56. USTDA is providing funding in the amount of US$303,000 to the Liberia 
Telecommunications Corporation (LTC) for a feasib ility study to assess the technical and financial 
viability of a metropolitan fiber optic ring around Li beria's capital city, Monrovia.  The feasibility 
study will focus on identifying a ppropriate financial, regulator y, and business models for the 
development of the fiber optic ring.   
57. The feasibility study will design business models that encourage open competition and lay the 
groundwork for LTC's eventual privatization.  The study will also include training to stakeholders, 
including the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the Liberian Telecommunications Authority, on structuring an IT market to attract private sector investment, so that LTC can expand its 
market presence in a manner that encourages private sector entrance and expansion in the sector.   
58. If the fiber optic ring is implemented, it would provide fiber optic carrier class connectivity, 
significantly reducing the current prohibitive cost of  telephony and Internet services in and around 
Monrovia.  The fiber optic ring will improve the country's ICT infrastructure and address the 
regulatory and political issues involved, setting the stage for the build out of a national ICT 
infrastructure. 
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