WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40 
12 June 2007 
 
 (07-2468) 
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries   
  
 
OVERVIEW OF THE STANDARDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY 
 
Note by the Secretariat
1 
  I. INTRODUCTION 
1. The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) is a global programme in capacity 
building and technical cooperation established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
United Nations (FAO), the World Bank, the World Or ganization for Animal Health (OIE), the World 
Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). 
2. The STDF grew out of a joint communiqué issued by the Heads of FAO, OIE, World Bank, 
WHO and WTO at the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001.  In the communiqué, the five organizations agreed to jointly explore new techni cal and financial mechanisms for coordination and 
resource mobilization.  They also agreed to build alliances between standard setting bodies and 
implementing and financing agencies so as to ensure the most effective use of technical and financial 
resources.  From this communiqué, the STDF was born in 2002. 
3. The STDF acts both as a coordinating and a financing mechanism.  Its strategic aims are:  
• to assist developing countries - in particular Least-Developed Countries (LDCs)
2 and Other Low 
Income Economies (OLIEs)3 - enhance their expertise and capacity to analyze and to implement 
international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) sta ndards, so improving their human, animal and 
plant health situation, and thus ability to  gain and maintain market access;  and 
 
• to act as a vehicle for coordination among technical cooperation providers, the mobilization of 
funds, the exchange of experience and the disse mination of good practice in relation to the 
provision and receipt of SPS-related technical cooperation. 
 
II. COORDINATION 
4. As a coordinating mechanism, the STDF is a fo rum for information sharing on past, present 
and planned SPS-related technical co operation activities.  Central to the STDF's coordination role is 
reporting on technical cooperation provided or pl anned, the sharing of project and programme 
implementation experience and the dissemination of  good practice in relation to both the provision 
and receipt of SPS-related technical cooperation.   A further component of STDF's coordination 
function is to ensure that projects and other pr oposed initiatives do not duplicate past, present or 
planned technical cooperation activities.  The STDF coordination role has been reinforced in the 
recently adopted Medium Term Strategy. 
                                                      
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and without prejudice to 
the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO. 
2 For a list of LDCs go to:  http://www.un.org/special -rep/ohrlls/ldc/list.htm  
 3 For a list of OLIEs go to:  http://www.worldbank.org/  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40 
Page 2  
 
  III. FUNDING 
5. As a financing mechanism, two forms of grants are available.  Project Preparation Grants 
(PPGs) up to a maximum of US$20,000 are availa ble for proposal development.  PPGs are a key 
mechanism for STDF programme development as they help overcome constraints faced by 
developing countries in the identification of their SPS needs and their articulation into sustainable 
projects.  PPGs are also a mech anism for ensuring synergy with other ongoing initiatives - in 
particular the Enhanced Integrated Framewor k for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to 
Least-Developed Countries (EIF).
4 
6. Project grants aim to address underlying issues of SPS capacity building in beneficiary 
countries.  Ideally, projects should be innovative, preventative and/or pilot projects which may be 
replicated by other donors.  Projects may aim to address gaps in SPS information or training 
materials, or to improve coordination.  Projects wh ich aim at regional soluti ons to SPS concerns are 
particularly encouraged.  Financing up to 90 per cent of project total cost is available for private and 
public organizations in LDCs and OLIEs.  The STDF funds projects that typically range from to 
US$300,000 to US$600,000. 
7. The STDF has a target to devote 40 per cent of  grant resources to LDCs and OLIEs.  To 
achieve this target, the STDF continues to bui ld synergies with other technical cooperation 
programmes.  The STDF Secretariat works closely w ith colleagues in the EIF Executive Secretariat to 
assist in the identification of SPS, the elaboration of Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS) and 
the development of project grants.  To date, th e number of LDC-specific projects approved by the 
STDF stands at 10 projects and 17 PPGs (out of a tota l of 23 projects and 23 PPGs).  Further details 
on these projects and project preparation grants can be found in Annex 1. 
IV. MEDIUM TERM STRATEGY (2007-2011) 
8. A new STDF Medium Term Strategy (200 7-2011) was adopted in December 2006.5  T h i s  
strategy places emphasis on the STDF as a vehicle for coordination among technical cooperation providers, for the exchange of experience, and fo r the dissemination of good practice in the provision 
and receipt of SPS-related technical cooperation.   The STDF continues to provide funding for 
projects, but with more focus on project development through the use of PPGs and on the mobilization of donors to fund resultant projects.  It will also aim to mobilize financial resources for project funding within the general donor community , rather than relying exclusively on the STDF's 
limited budgetary funds. 
9. As part of its coordination function, the STDF is researching the supply and receipt of 
SPS-related technical cooperation in three regions.  The regions surveyed will be Central America
6, 
the East African Community (EAC)7 and a sub-group of ASEAN countries.8 This research feeds into 
the broader Aid for Trade9 initiative and should provide valuable in sights, not just with regard to the 
future provision of SPS-related coope ration, but with respect to the provision of technical cooperation 
in other specific subject areas.  Results of STD F research on SPS "demand"  and "supply" response 
will be presented at the regional Aid for Trade even ts in Asia, Africa and Latin America planned for 
September and October 2007. 
                                                      
4 For more information on the Enhanced IF see:  http://www.integratedframework.org/  
5 The Medium Term Strategy can be downloaded from the STDF website:  www.standardsfacility.org  
 6 Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. 
 7 Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. 
 8 Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Vietnam. 
9 For more information on the Aid for Trade see:  http://www.wto.org/english/aid4trade_e.htm  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40 
 Page 3 
 
 
  10. The Aid for Trade events will be followed up w ith further research and coordination between 
countries in each region to examine the effectiv eness of past SPS-related technical cooperation 
activities, the identification of good practice which ca n be replicated in future cooperation projects or 
programmes and how ongoing needs can be prioriti zed.  This research will culminate in regional 
consultations between donors, beneficiaries and orga nizations engaged in the delivery of SPS-related 
technical cooperation in 2008. 
11. The intention is to repeat this exercise acr oss other regions during the life of the Medium 
Term Strategy (2007-11).  In addition to further regional consultations, at least one global level 
workshop/consultation will be organized to ensure that lessons learnt from the regional consultations 
can be disseminated more widely.   
  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40 
Page 4 ANNEX 1:  SELECTED PROJECTS AND PROJECT PREPARATION GRANTS BENEFITING LDCs 
 
(a) Completed Projects  
Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Implementation Status 
STDF-10 National implementation 
of the International Portal on food safety, 
animal and plant health Turkey and 
Uganda (pilot countries) Develop a Portal implementation handbook 
to assist countries in the establishment of a national internet-
based site for the exchange 
of official legislation and regulations on 
food safety, animal and plant health. FAO 59,400 Start date: Mar-05 
End date: Sep-06 Under 
evaluation 
STDF-20 Country-based plans for 
SPS-related development Peru and 
Uganda (pilot countries) Develop a methodology for systematic 
identification and prioritisation of SPS capacity-building needs in developing 
countries, which encourages a cooperative 
relationship between donors and private and 
public sector stakeholders in recipient 
countries, with special emphasis on enhancement of market access. WTO 170,862 Start date: Nov-04 
End date: Mar-07 Under 
evaluation 
STDF-89 International plant health 
risk analysis workshop Developing 
and Least-
Developed Country 
participants Provide funding for 29 developing and 
least-developed country officials to attend a 
workshop on pest risk analysis in Canada. (24 to 28 October 2005) FAO 147,000 Start date: Oct-05 
End date: May-07 Under 
evaluation 
  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40
 Page 5(b) Ongoing Projects  
 
Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Implementation Status 
STDF-13 Development of a 
strategy and action plan 
for selected African regions to enhance 
capacity in meeting 
sanitary standards for livestock and livestock 
products Djibouti, 
Ethiopia and 
Mali Develop regional strategies for enhancing 
veterinary service’s and other stakeholders 
capabilities for export of livestock and livestock products with special emphasis on 
improving animal disease surveillance, 
reporting and control, and the implementation of international animal 
sanitary standards. OIE / FAO 305,000 Start date: Oct-06 
End date: TBC Under 
implementation 
STDF-65 A model for the 
development of a private/public safety 
control system for 
tropical fruit exports Guinea Develop a safety control system for the 
tropical fruit export sector.  Establish a Safety Management Expert Force to assist 
companies implementing control systems 
and lay the ground for the establishment of a 
Public Inspection Force. UNCTAD 600,000 Start date: Dec-05 
End date: May-08 Under 
implementation 
STDF-146 Strengthening 
phytosanitary controls in 
Mali - with particular reference to mango 
exports Mali Strengthen capacities of the National 
Phytosanitary Control System to meet 
international SPS standards.  Provide institutional and operational support to 
facilitate fruit and vegetables trade 
(especially mango), to contribute to export 
diversification and poverty reduction. Ministry of 
Commerce (IF 
focal point) 508,000 Start date: Feb-07 
End date: Feb-09 Under 
implementation 
STDF-145 Rwanda Horticulture 
Export Standards Initiative (RHESI) Rwanda Address the priority SPS capacity building 
needs identified by stakeholders in the sector and establish a plant health management 
system conforming SPS standards that will 
instil confidence among trading partners.  (promotion of good practices, legal reform, 
information development and monitoring) Michigan State 
University 526,674 Start date: TBC 
End date: TBC Awaiting 
contracting  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40 
Page 6 Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Implementation Status 
STDF-113 Strengthening SPS 
controls in Burundi Burundi Enhance the capacity of the Burundi Bureau 
of Standards (BBN) using a training 
component for public and private sector 
officials on SPS compliance.  Defining strategies and means required to introduce a 
hazard analysis and critical control point 
(HACCP) system.  (Particular attention should be paid to the agri-food sector.) To be defined 513,000 Start date: TBC 
End date: TBC Recommended 
for funding by 
other donor 
STDF-134 Capacity building for 
improving the fish trade 
performance of selected African countries Benin, Gambia, 
Mauritania, 
Senegal, Sierra Leone Develop countries' capacities to understand 
SPS issues and deliver training in safe fish 
handling to the beach level.  Construct a technical and trade information data base to 
encourage the dissemination of findings to 
other countries in the region. FAO 469,000 Start date:  TBC 
End date: TBC Awaiting 
contracting 
STDF-170 Strengthening the 
capacity of government 
SPS officials to 
effectively implement 
SPS measures Nepal Provide support to the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) to 
effectively implement SPS measures to 
reduce food safety risks for domestic 
consumers, enhance the protection of 
animals and plants and promote economic development through increased food and 
agricultural exports. FAO 321,600 Start date: TBC 
End date: TBC Awaiting 
contracting 
TBC: To be confirmed 
  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40
 Page 7(c) Projects for which approval has been revoked 
 
Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Reason Status 
STDF-64 Facilitating livestock 
trade in Djibouti Djibouti Assist public and private sectors to 
implement SPS legislation conform to OIE 
standards, through conducting risk assessments, verification, trace-back and 
certification, to facilitate livestock and 
livestock products trade. FAO 560,000 Failure of the 
FAO-WTO 
agreement Seeking ways to 
find funding 
directly from bilateral donor 
STDF-48 Quality control for 
agricultural products in 
Benin - with particular 
reference to shea and cashew nut products Benin Apply good agricultural practices (training 
and capacity building activities) so as to 
overcome problems of mycotoxin 
contamination for shea and cashew nut production, to contribute to the 
development of national, regional and 
international markets, meeting international quality standards. IITA 260,000 Problems defining 
the budget and the 
use of laboratory 
capacity Applicant 
invited to update 
and resubmit the 
request 
STDF-69 Improved capacity for 
ensuring the quality and 
safety of Yemeni seafood products Yemen Enable Yemen Sea Food Association to 
develop the capacity of its members to 
better meet the commercial requirements of 
SPS measures and thereby improve the 
quality and safety of seafood products and 
access key overseas markets. World Bank 371,075 Failure of the 
Word Bank-WTO 
agreement Framework 
agreement ITC-
WTO prepared to facilitate 
implementation 
  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40 
Page 8 (d) Project Preparation Grants 
 
Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Implementation Status 
STDF-61 SPS standards and trade 
advisor, Cambodia  Cambodia Build on the Diagnostic Trade Integration 
Study (DTIS) and  other relevant country 
reviews by researching technical assistance through contacts with key stakeholders and 
submitting a project proposal. WTO 20,000 Start date: Apr-05 
End date: Jul-05 Not accepted for 
funding 
STDF-64 Facilitating livestock 
trade in Djibouti Djibouti Build on the Diagnostic Trade Integration 
Study (DTIS) and other relevant country reviews by researching further SPS 
constraints in the livestock sector and 
submitting a technical assistance project proposal. WTO 20,000 Start date: May-05 
End date: Aug-05 Accepted for 
funding 
STDF-63 Quality control for 
agricultural products in Benin  Benin Build on the DTIS and other relevant 
country reviews by applying a specific evaluation tool and assist the International 
Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the 
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles to submit reworked applications for STDF 
funding. WTO 20,000 Start date: Jun-05 
End date: Jul-05 Accepted for 
funding 
STDF-65 A model for the 
development of a safety control system for 
tropical fruit exports in 
Guinea Guinea Build on the DTIS and UNCTAD study by 
organizing a consultation with national stakeholders to establish priority actions for 
SPS compliance and submitting a technical 
assistance project proposal which 
corresponds to one or mo re of these priority 
actions. UNCTAD 20,000 Start date: Jun-05 
End date: Aug-05 Accepted for 
funding 
STDF-66 Strategy to increase 
capacity to comply with 
SPS and retailers’ agrifood protocols to 
facilitate exports Mozambique Build on the DTIS and UNCTAD study by 
organizing a consultation with national 
stakeholders to establish priority actions for SPS compliance and submitting a technical 
assistance project proposal which 
corresponds to one or mo re of these priority 
actions. UNCTAD 20,000 Start date: May-05 
End date: Aug-05 Accepted for 
bilateral funding 
(UK)  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40
 Page 9Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Implementation Status 
STDF-69 Fish handling, safety and 
quality improvement 
project Yemen Evaluate the Seafood Processors 
Association to improve safety and quality 
of products, harmonize standards and 
strengthen private dom estic enforcement, 
and submit a technical assistance project 
proposal. WTO 20,000 Start date: Jul-05 
End date: Aug-05 Accepted for 
funding 
STDF-101 Capacity evaluation of 
National Food Control System in Eritrea Eritrea Evaluate capacities of the National Food 
Control System and use this evaluation to develop suitable projects which meet 
Eritrea’s requirements. WTO 20,000 Start date: Jan-06 
End date: Apr-06 Not accepted for 
funding 
STDF-88 Proposal on human 
resource development 
for SPS implementation in Nepal Nepal Identification of t echnical assistance needs 
in human resource development for SPS 
implementation, preparation of an action matrix for effective and efficient 
management of SPS measures and 
development of a coherent project proposal.FAO 20,000 Start date: Nov-06 
End date: Jan-07 Accepted for 
funding 
STDF-102 SPS constraints and 
export diversification 
project preparation grant Mali Complement existing export diversification 
initiatives (under the Integrated 
Framework) by further studying SPS 
constraints in the fruit and vegetables sector 
and, in consultation with stakeholders, 
develop a project to address these constraints. WTO 20,000 Start date: Mar-06 
End date: May-06 Accepted for 
funding  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40 
Page 10 Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Implementation Status 
STDF-103 Rwanda horticulture 
export standards 
initiative Rwanda Build on the DTIS by participating in a 
national SPS seminar to stimulate interest 
from stakeholders, conducting field 
research on SPS constraints in the horticultural sector and submitting a 
technical assistance pr oject proposal and a 
fieldwork report. WTO 20,000 Start date: Mar-06 
End date: Apr-06 Accepted for 
funding 
STDF-113 Support for the 
introduction of  the 
HACCP system in 
Burundian enterprises Burundi Review SPS techni cal assistance needs by 
applying the joint WHO/FAO  evaluation 
tool of official contro l services to survey 
the food situation and submit a technical assistance project proposal corresponding to
needs identified in the evaluation. WTO / 
Burundi 
Standards 
Bureau 19,740 Start date: Oct-06 
End date: Dec-06 Seeking non-
STDF funding 
STDF-52 Regional initiative to 
assist Malawian and Zambian exporters 
aflatoxin contamination Malawi and 
Zambia Develop a project which will address post-
harvest management problems in the paprika and groundnut sector, in particular 
with respect to aflatoxin contamination;  
ensure consultations with private and public sectors, and contact donors. WTO 30,000 Start date: Feb-07 
End date: Aug-07 Under 
implementation 
STDF-100 Capacity evaluation of 
the national food control 
system in Cape Verde, 
with particular attention 
to the fisheries sector Cape Verde Assist Cape Verde in evaluating its 
capacities in its National Food Control 
System and prepare a suitable follow-up 
project which meets it's requirements 
(particular attention should be paid to the WTO accession and the needs of the 
fisheries sector). WTO 20,000 Start date: Dec-06 
End date: Feb-07 Under 
implementation 
STDF-126 Assistance establishing a 
horticulture industry organisation in Tanzania Tanzania Develop a business plan for the Tanzanian 
Horticulture Association and a mid-term strategy for effectively dealing with 
conformity to international standards and 
increase trade opportunities. WTO 5,500 Start date: Sep-06 
End date: Feb-07 Under 
implementation 
STDF-46 Enhance capacity to 
implement Codex 
standards in the African 
Region Benin and 
Tanzania Conduct field research on on-going SPS 
activities, identify priority Codex standards 
and guidelines, estab lish contacts with key 
stakeholders, obtain support of the donor community and submit two technical 
assistance project  proposals. WHO / WTO / 
World Bank 20,000 Start date: Aug-06 
End date: Nov-06 Under revision  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/40
 Page 11Project 
Number Title Beneficiaries Description Implementing 
Agency Budget in 
US$ Implementation Status 
STDF-127 Build up the Chamber of 
Commerce's capacity to 
administer SPS 
standards with a view to promoting exports Benin Establish an information centre within the 
Benin Chamber of Commerce to ensure that 
firms are aware of SPS measures affecting 
their existing or planned exports and examine the feasibility of a well targeted 
regional approach in the WAEMU. WTO 20,000 Start date: Nov-06 
End date: Feb-07 Under 
implementation 
STDF-165 Improving fruit 
production SPS controls in Madagascar Madagascar Improve fruit production in order to meet 
SPS requirements. TBC 20,000 Start date: TBC 
End date: TBC Awaiting 
contracting 
 TBC: To be confirmed 
 
 
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