WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/BFA/W/182 
28 September 2009 
 (09-4493) 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  
  
 
     
 
    
DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S REPORT ON EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
FOR 2008 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 2  
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
DESCRIPTION AND AC TIVITY IN 2008.........................................................................................3
 
 TAPF2 – Annual Public Forum 2007 .............................................................................................. ...... 3  
 TDDA7 and TDDA8 – Doha Develop ment Agenda Global Trust Fund............................................. 3  
 TDOCS – Preservation and Enhanced Diss emination of GATT and WTO Documents................... 6  
 TFR03 – France - Sanitary and Phytos anitary (SPS) Related Activities............................................ 7  
 TIF01 – Integrated Framewor k – Outreach Activities ........................................................................ 7  
 TIF02 – Integrated Framework – Programme Impleme ntation Unit................................................. 8  
 TIF03 – Integrated Framework – Enha nced Executive Secret ariat Start-up.................................... 8  
 TIF04, TIF05 and TIF06 – Additional Work for the Enhanced Integrated Framework ................. 9  
 TIMM1 – Internship Programme for Sele cted Members' Missi ons in Geneva ............................... 10  
 TJIT2 – JITAP................................................................................................................. ...................... 11  
 TMI06 – Ministerial Conference – Particip ation of Least-Developed Countries ............................ 12  
 TNL05 – Netherlands Trainee Prog ramme ........................................................................................ 1 2 
 TTFHR – Trade Facilitation National Needs Assessments – Human Resources............................. 13  
 TTFNA –Trade Facilitation Na tional Needs Assessments................................................................. 14  
 TTFNG –Trade Facilitation Trust Fund – Wi ndow I- Participation of Capital Based 
Officials in the Negoti ating Group Meetings.................................................................................... ... 15  
 TTFWB – Trade Facilitation Wo rkshop – World Bank Session ...................................................... 17  
 TUS03 – United States – Sanitary and Phyt osanitary Measures – Related Activities..................... 17  
 TWB01 – Standards and Trad e Development Facility ...................................................................... 18  
 EPSF1 – Progra mme Support Fund................................................................................................ .... 20  
 T0013 – Independent Entity – Pre-shipment Inspection – Deposits ................................................. 21  
EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2008.................................................................................................23  
 Consolidated Statement of Financia l Position .................................................................................. .. 24 
 Consolidated Statement of  Financial P erformance............................................................................ 25  
 Statement of Changes in due to Donors......................................................................................... ...... 26  
 EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS - FINANCIAL OVERVIEW – 2008............................................. 27  
 TABLE 1– Financial Situat ion Overview  – 2008................................................................................ 28  
 TABLE 2 - Voluntary Contribut ions Received  in 2008 ..................................................................... 29 
 TABLE 3 - Contributions Reimbursed in 2008 .................................................................................. 30  
 TABLE 4 - Interest Earned in  2008............................................................................................. ........ 31  
 TABLE 5 - Overheads - As  At 31 D ecember 20 08.............................................................................. 33  
 TABLE 6 - Detail - Due To Donors  - As At 31 December 2008......................................................... 34  
 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICAN T ACCOUNTING POLICIES ..................................................... 36  WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 3 
 
 
  DESCRIPTION AND ACTIVITY IN 2008 
 
 
TAPF2 – Annual Public Forum 2007 
 1. The WTO Public Forum is recognized as the most relevant international platform for in-depth 
dialogue and reflections on past, present and future developments and ideas that determine the shape 
and direction of the trading system.  It is WTO's biggest and most important outreach event, each year 
attracting more than 1,000 participants from around the world, representing WTO Members and 
Observers, parliamentarians, non-governmental or ganizations, academics, media and the business 
community.  Since its inception in 2001, despite its  success and the growing interest and expectations 
among all stakeholders of the multilateral trading system  to participate, the organization of the Public 
Forum has only been possible with ad hoc  voluntary financial support and contributions from certain 
WTO Members.  Beginning in 2008, to ensure predic table and secure funding for this very successful 
international annual and core outr each activity, its costs are being met with the regular budget funds. 
2. Consequently, the trust fund, which was estab lished for the 2007 Public Forum entitled "How 
Can the WTO Help Harness Globalization" has been closed in 2008 after returning the remaining 
funds in favour of Norway a nd the European Communities. 
 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 126,873.77Contributions received in 2008 -Contributions reimbursed 126,873.77
Total funds 0.00Total expenditures 2008  Balance as at 31 December 2008 0.00
 
TDDA7 and TDDA8 – Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund 
 
3. Pursuant to the commitment contained in para graph 40 of the Doha Declaration, the Doha 
Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF) was established in December 2001 to finance 
technical assistance programmes and training activiti es for developing and least developed countries 
as well as economies in transition.  One of the main purposes for creating a global fund was to 
consolidate the numerous extra-budgetary funds in one single un-earmarked fund, so as to provide a 
solid and stable financial basis for the delivery of  a global programme.  As mandated by Members, the 
goals of the DDAGTF are:  to enhance institutional a nd human capacity in beneficiary countries;  to 
address trade policy issues and concerns;  to he lp countries mainstream trade into national 
development and poverty reduction policies;  to facil itate fuller participation of beneficiaries in the 
Multilateral Trading System; and to encourage effective participation in the negotiations. 
4. The technical assistance and training products ar e designed to ensure a realistic number of 
high quality activities, with expected durable e ffects.  The WTO undertakes activities which have a 
comparative advantage and that fall within its ma ndate, hence WTO agreements and those areas that 
are directly part of the DDA negotiations.  It co-o perates and partners as much as possible with all 
relevant international bodies and agencies in order to deliver the TRTA in the most efficient ways, 
bearing in mind the specific competencies of each of the partner organizations. WT/BFA/W/182 
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  5. Technical assistance and training activities to be implemented under the DDAGTF are 
contained in annual technical assist ance and training plans.  It was agreed to move towards a medium-
term planning of technical assistance activities.  As a result, and for the first time, a biennial TA Plan was prepared, covering the years 2008-2009(WT /COMTD/W/160).  A multi-year programming 
approach would not only be in support of the Secret ariat's efforts to ensure sustainable and cumulative 
capacity-building but also to ensure more predic tability in securing the necessary financing of the 
activities funded from the DDAGTF. 
6. These activities were organized under six ma in categories in the 2008-2009 Technical 
Assistance and Training Plan as follows: 
(a) General WTO-related technical assistance and training
 – Training activities for 
government officials with a broad ove rall WTO responsibility and a general 
knowledge of the multilateral trading system.  The main purpose is to initiate officials 
in the rules and functioning of the WTO and/or to raise the general level of 
knowledge and provide opportu nities for them to increase their skills.  Relevant 
activities can be held in Geneva or in the field. 
(b) Specialized and advanced technical assistance training  – National/regional seminars 
and workshops as well as speciali zed courses for the initiated and 
specialists/technicians.  The focus is on providing qualitative and in-depth training 
and enhancing skills that have a direct  practical value in implementing WTO 
Agreements. 
(c) Academic support for training and capacity building  – Activities that focus on 
building partnerships with trade policy -related academic community members in 
Member countries (e.g. workshops for uni versity professors on WTO matters, support 
programmes for doctoral students, progra mme for visiting academics, research 
collaboration and document dissemination for universities).  
(d) Trainee programmes and internships  – They provide an opportunity for junior 
officials to get first hand exposure to the functioning of the MTS and/or to provide 
support to the respective beneficiaries' regional secretariats to the WTO.  
(e) E-learning  – Takes full advantage of information technology and the Internet as a 
complement as well as an alternative to trad itional training programmes, consisting of 
different types of IT-based technical assistance and training tools. 
(f) Other  – the human resources required to enable the Secretariat to implement the 
extra-budgetary activities under the DDAGTF, e.g. e-learning. 
7. The Committees on Trade Development and Budge t, Finance and Administration jointly 
examined and endorsed the 2008 – 2009 Technical Assi stance and Training Plan.  Subsequent to the 
recommendation of the Committee on Budget, Fina nce and Administration, the General Council 
approved a target amount of CHF 24 million for the DDAGTF in 2008 and 2009, corresponding to the 
estimated costs of the activities contained in the Plan.  WT/BFA/W/182 
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  Financial report – Summary 
 
  CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 7,778,416.10Contributions received in 2008 18,575,867.95Interest 2008 221,934.56
Total funds 26,576,218.61Total expenditures 2008 (17,034,786.24)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 9,541,432.37
 8. The DDAGTF is a revolving fund, i.e. contributio ns received but not spent at the end of a 
year are carried over to the next year of the f und's operation and count toward meeting the target 
referred to above. 
9. Main activities implemented in 2008: 
Three Regional Trade Policy Courses (RTPC) were held in 2008.  They covered the African 
French-speaking regions, Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin Americ a.  Organized in close 
partnership with local universities and academics from the region, each course ran over a three-month 
period and provided WTO-related capacity-building a nd training to officials from least-developed and 
other developing countries.  In addition, there were: 
• eight Geneva-based topic-specific symposia; 
• eleven regional and sub-regional short trade policy courses; 
• seventy-three national topic-specific techni cal assistance activities including TA within 
the Trade Policy Review M echanism and assisting beneficiaries in conducting national 
needs assessments;  
• forty-two topic-specific regional semina rs (on Agriculture, Dispute Settlement, 
Government Procurement, Non-Agricu lture Market Access, Regional Trade 
Agreements, Rules, Sanitary and Phytosanita ry Measures, Services, Technical Barriers 
to Trade, Trade and Development, Trade and Environment, Trade Facilitation, Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property); 
• three other specialized and advanced traini ng activities for senior government officials; 
• four intensive courses on trade negotiation skills;  
• five outreach activities for parliamentarians and civil society; and 
• four regional workshops for unive rsity professors on WTO matters. 
10. Many of these activities were undertaken as part of the partnership arrangements with other 
agencies and bodies that the WTO co-operates. 
11. Activities dedicated to information tec hnology development in 2008 included the 
establishment or upgrading of three reference centr es and free internet access and connectivity for 
least-developed countries. 
12. The e-learning programme, which began in 2005, was further developed in 2008.  A total of 
23 on-line courses were offered as follows: 
• Introduction to the WTO – 2 English, 2 French and 2 Spanish; WT/BFA/W/182 
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  • specialized Course on Trade Remedies – 2 English, 1 French and 1 Spanish; 
• specialized Course on Agriculture - 2 English, 1 French and 1 Spanish; 
• specialized Course on Technical Barriers to Tr ade – 1 English, 1 French and 1 Spanish; 
• specialized Course on Sanitary and Phytosanita ry Measures – 2 English, 1 French and 1 
Spanish; 
• specialized course on Trade-related Inte llectual Property Rights – 2 English. 
13. Four interns assuming the role of Regional Gr oup Coordinators and eight others in the 
framework of support programmes for doctoral studies and research collaboration with universities, as 
well as costs related to staff directly involved in th e delivery of the technical assistance activities were 
also financed through the DDAGTF. 
14. The complete qualitative and quantitative overv iew of technical assistance and training 
activities undertaken in each year is presented by th e Secretariat to the Membership in the spring of 
the following year. 
TDOCS – Preservation and Enhanced Dissemination of GATT and WTO Documents 
 
15. The preservation of GATT documents in electr onic form began in 1988 and WTO documents 
were first posted on the Internet in 1996.  As a result of these efforts, certain GATT collections, 
including Uruguay Round documents and a number of other GATT documents, some dating back to 
1947, are accessible through Documents Online.  Th e quasi-totality of WTO documents are also 
available in Word format through the same application. 
16. While these initiatives represented a significant effort  on the part of the Secretariat to provide 
a useful service to the international community, the amount of work that remained to be completed for the effective preservation and dissemination of all existing GATT/WTO documents in electronic form was considerable.  To facilitate preservation and consultation, a large number of GATT documents 
still needed to be scanned, catalogued and verified for eventual inclusion in the permanent trilingual 
archive of the Secretariat. 
17. In 2007, a trust fund was created to pool resources from donors to finance this project, which 
is of special relevance to the reference centres in developing and least-developed countries as they 
will be the main beneficiaries of the Document s Online and a new service called Documents on Disc 
as a result of this initiative. 
18. Spain and Italy provided funding for this proj ect in 2007, and the implementation started in 
early 2008.  
19. The project has two components (i) preservation (scanning) and cataloguing of GATT
 
documents in Spanish and (ii) quality control of WTO  documents which had been converted by the 
Secretariat from WordPerfect into PDF format (Spanish and French).  
20. GATT Documents :  The Secretariat conducted a call for tenders for the scanning 
component of GATT documents at the end of 2007.  The Contracts Committee awarded the contract 
to 4 Digital Books (4DB) based in Lausanne and wo rk started in earnest in early 2008.  As of 31 
December 2008, 4DB had processed 24,300 documen ts, amounting to approx.  240,000 pages.  In 
2008, three temporary staff were engaged in the quali ty control of the scanned items.  One fixed-term 
"documentalist" –whose salary is financed from the WTO regular budget- has been cataloguing these 
documents and participating in data entry activ ities in a recently created GATT database.  As 
of 31 December 2008, nearly 100 per cent of the scanning work had been completed; 15 per cent of WT/BFA/W/182 
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  the quality control remained to be done and it was e xpected that this part would be completed in the 
second quarter of 2009. 
21. WTO Documents :  The quality control of the WTO documents in Spanish has been 
completed.  One temporary staff member has be en engaged for the quality control of the WTO 
documents in French and approximately 35 per cent of the work has been done.  The completion of 
the remaining work relies on the availability of funds. 
22. Further work of a similar nature, i.e. sca nning and cataloguing of GATT documents in French 
and scanning of part of GATT documents in Englis h, remains to be undertaken depending on the 
availability of funds. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
  CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 485,446.86Contributions received in 2008 -Interest 2008 8,537.08
Total funds 493,983.94Total expenditures 2008 (366,110.00)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 127,873.94
 
TFR03 – France - Sanitary and Phyto sanitary (SPS) Related Activities  
 23. Funds provided by France in 2005 are des tined for activities for capacity building and 
technical assistance in the area of SPS measures to assist developing countries specified by the donor, 
i.e.   North Africa and the Middle East as well as Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.  To date, it has not 
been possible to use the resources av ailable according to the conditions attached to the contribution.  
A workshop on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measu res for French-speakin g African countries is 
planned for 2009.  The resources made available by  France will enable the Secretariat to invite 
additional experts and thus enhance that activity. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
  CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 81,863.67Contributions received in 2008 -Interest 2,871.74
Total funds 84,735.41Total expenditures 2008 -Balance as at 31 December 2008 84,735.41
 
TIF01 – Integrated Framework – Outreach Activities 
 
24. An allocation of USD 100,000 had been made fro m the Integrated Framework Trust Fund in 
2004 for a specific project entitled Integrated Framew ork Global Advocacy and Information Strategy.  
The project purpose had been defined as enhanci ng advocacy and public awareness of the Integrated 
Framework initiative with activities focusing on th e dissemination and sharing of information, 
knowledge and lessons on trade main streaming experiences in partner LDCs to generate a common 
and better understanding of the IF's scope, pro cess and methodology for trade mainstreaming into WT/BFA/W/182 
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  national development plans, including poverty reducti on strategies.  In this regard, it was expected 
that the project would complement and reinforce le ast developed countries' own efforts to participate 
effectively in the global economy through solid pa rtnership with development agencies, donors and 
other stakeholders. 
25. To date, it has not been possible to use the res ources available in this trust fund.  Following 
the formal launching of the Enhanced Integrated Fr amework Executive Secretariat at the end of 2008, 
it is hoped that these funds will be used in 2009. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
  CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 132,640.09
Contributions received in 2008 -Interest 2008 4,652.95
Total funds 137,293.04Total expenditures 2008 -Balance as at 31 December 2008 137,293.04
 
TIF02 – Integrated Framework – Programme Implementation Unit 
 
26. Denmark, Switzerland and the United Kingdom provided the necessary resources for the 
establishment of the Integrated Framework Programme Implementation Unit (IF – PIU), thereby 
strengthening the Integrated Framework Secretar iat.  This temporary mechanism, pending the 
establishment of the Enhanced Integrated Framewor k Executive Secretariat (EIF ES), consisted of a 
chief coordinator, a deputy coordinator and an admi nistrative assistant, whose salaries as well as other 
operating expenses were financed from this fund.  The incumbents of these posts took up their 
assignments during 2007 and joined the new structur e, EIF ES, upon its formal launching during the 
fourth quarter of 2008.  Funds for the operati ng budget of the Enhanced Integrated Framework 
Executive Secretariat will be provided by UNOPS, th e new trust fund manager, on an annual basis 
starting on 1 January 2009.  Therefore, the Integr ated Framework – Programme Implementation Unit 
trust fund will be closed in 2009 after settling the remaining balances in favour of the donors. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
  CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 1,324,288.28Contributions received in 2008 20,029.80Interest 2008 34,208.13
Total funds 1,378,526.21Total expenditures 2008 (758,965.69)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 619,560.52
 
TIF03 – Integrated Framework – Enhanced Executive Secretariat Start-up 
 
27. The adopted IF Task Force recommendations to  enhance the IF (WT/IFSC/W/15 and Corr.1) 
included a mandate to strengthen the existing IF S ecretariat by creating an Enhanced Integrated 
Framework Executive Secretariat (EIF ES) led by an Executive Director.  The compendium, which forms the basis of the EIF, adopted by the IF  Working Group and IF Steering Committee at their 
meeting on 1 May 2007 included, am ongst others, the terms of refe rence of the EIF ES and a job 
description for Executive Director.  They stipulated that the ES would be administratively housed in WT/BFA/W/182 
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  the WTO and that the modalities of providing WTO w ith the financial means to cover the costs of 
administratively housing the ES would be put in pl ace once the future Trust Fund Manager had been  
designated. 
28. Pending this, a temporary mechanism needed to be  set up to allow funds to be channelled in a 
timely fashion from the existing IF Trust Fund to WT O to cover the initial costs related to operation 
of the EIF ES as soon as possible. 
29. The Start-up Project foresaw the recruitment of  the Executive Director and a Grade 7 position 
as well as non-personnel expenditure items.  In 2007, the first advance payment representing the 
contribution to the estimated budget was received.  The selection process for the Executive Director 
was completed in 2008.  The successful candidate en tered on duty in October 2008.  Further to the 
formal launching of the EIF ES during the fourth  quarter of 2008, the Integrated Framework – 
Enhanced Executive Secretariat Start-up trust fund will be closed in 2009 after settling the remaining 
balances in favour of the donors.  Funds for th e operating budget of the Enhanced Integrated 
Framework Executive Secretariat will be provide d by UNOPS, the new trust fund manager, on an 
annual basis starting on 1 January 2009. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
  CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 380,579.80 Contributions received in 2008 Interest 2008 11,302.66
 
Total funds 391,882.46 Total expenditures 2008 (181,595.99)
 
Balance as at 31 December 2008 210,286.47 
 
TIF04, TIF05 and TIF06 – Additional Work  for the Enhanced Integrated Framework 
 
30. The Integrated Framework Interim Boar d requested several additional tasks. 
31. The first request related to the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework and 
accountability structure for financial management.  Switzerland provided the required funds for this 
task performed by consultants (TIF04). 
TIF04 -Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 -Contributions received in 2008 74,470.00
Total funds 74,470.00Total expenditures 2008 70,228.14
Contributions transferred to TIF02 4,241.86
Balance as at 31 December 2008 0.00
32. The Board mandated an executive search agency to present candidates for the position of the 
Executive Director.  Switzerland and the United Kingdom provided the necessary funds. (TIF05) 
 
  WT/BFA/W/182 
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  TIF05 - Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 -Contributions received in 2008 111,995.00Interest 2008 544.57
Total funds 112,539.57Total expenditures 2008 (76,409.38)Contributions transferred to TIF02 (15,787.94)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 20,342.25
 33. Technical expertise on outstanding matters in the transitional phase to the new trust fund 
manager were required.  Sweden provided the funds for the related work performed by a consultant. 
(TIF06) 
TIF06 - Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008  Contributions received in 2008 58,000.00Interest 2008 281.62
Total funds 58,281.62Total expenditures 2008 (42,714.00)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 15,567.62
 
TIMM1 – Internship Programme for Selected Members' Missions in Geneva 
 
34. The purpose of this Programme is to create intern ships for missions in Geneva in order:  (i) to 
enhance their knowledge and unders tanding of the multilateral trading system and of trade policy in 
general;  (ii) to strengthen the understanding of th e negotiation process at the WTO;  and (iii) to 
support the mission in participating more actively in the daily activities at the WTO. 
35. The interns work in their own country Mission in Geneva and not in the WTO Secretariat for 
a period of up to ten months and represent thei r respective country on selected WTO committees.  
This hands-on approach is expected to provide them  with exposure to the activities taking place at the 
WTO. 
36. The programme is open to nationals of deve loping and least-developed countries as well as 
economies in transition with a Geneva mission.  The required qualifications include:  (i) an 
appropriate economics, trade and/or law degree at th e post-graduate level; (ii) mastery of one of the 
WTO working languages and preferably a good knowledge of another; (iii) working experience in the 
national administration in the trade-related area;  (iv) good drafting skills; and (v) operational 
familiarity with standard software packages.  Support function positions are not considered part of this 
programme. 
37. Interns are selected by the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation and Human 
Resources Division of the WTO together with the Mission concerned on the basis of detailed CVs and 
possible telephone interviews.  The selection criteria ar e similar to those for entry-level positions at 
WTO. Special consideration is given to those candidates who will be us ing their experience upon 
returning to their country.  With regard to the selection criteria of countries to benefit from the WT/BFA/W/182 
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  programme, LDCs and other developing countries w ith low per-capita GNP and those countries with 
very few staff positioned in Geneva  Missions are given preference. 
38. The beneficiary Mission establishes a general description of the assignment in advance.  A 
more detailed programme of work for each intern is  prepared by the Permanent Representative of the 
Mission in Geneva, after the candidate has been selected.  
39. The general duties might include: 
(a) assistance in collection, analysis, interpretation and organization of material of 
interest to the Mission; 
(b) assistance in the preparation of meetings of WTO bodies, including attendance and 
follow-up of such meetings; 
(c) assistance in preparation of reports for the capital, documents and communications of 
economic and/or legal na ture related to WTO; 
(d) assistance in other tasks un dertaken by the Mission. 
40. The evaluation of the intern's work by the Missi on takes place at mid-term and at the end of 
the assignment and is shared with WTO.  Anothe r evaluation of the usefulness of this programme 
takes place one year after the end of the internship. 
41. In 2008, contributions provided by Denmark and Ireland financed the costs related to 
engaging seven interns from the following countr ies:  Bolivia, Mongolia, Uganda, Lesotho, 
El Salvador, Bangladesh and Zambia. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 354,983.62Contributions received in 2008 515,179.00Interest 2008 8,301.21
Total funds 878,463.83Total expenditures 2008 (226,582.85)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 651,880.98
 
TJIT2 – JITAP 
 
42. 2007 was the final year of implementation for phase II of the Joint Integrated Technical 
Assistance Programme (JITAP), which ran for nine y ears all together.  The end of programme reports 
were drawn up by each implementing agency (ITC, UNCTAD and WTO) on the specific areas of 
their responsibility under JITAP and consolidated.  Implementing agencies were asked to retain the 
unspent balances as of 31 December 2007 until a decisi on regarding the future of JITAP is made.  The 
JITAP Common Trust Fund meeting was convened at the WTO in September 2008.  The issue of the creation of a new trust fund for a possible success or programme, which would inherit the current 
JITAP balance, was discussed.  It was agreed that  consultations should continue between agencies and 
donors, as well as between donors and beneficiaries, on defining the new progra mme and its coverage 
with a view to avoiding any overlap with any existing TRTA programmes.  At the end of 2008, a 
formal decision on the creation of a new trust fund or the adoption of a proposed programme had not 
yet been taken. WT/BFA/W/182 
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  Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 379,385.52 Contributions received in 2008 Interest 2008 13,308.67
 
Total funds 392,694.19 Total expenditures 2008 0.00
 
Balance as at 31 December 2008 392,694.19 
 
TMI06 – Ministerial Conference – Participation of Least-Developed Countries 
 
43. Since 1996, starting with the 1st Ministerial Conference held in Singapore, the Secretariat has 
facilitated the participation of LDCs in the Minister ial Conferences by financing the travel costs of 
their delegations, through voluntary contributions pooled into a special extra-budgetary fund.  
44. This special fund was established for the 6th Ministerial Conference held in Hong Kong, 
China from 13 to 18 December 2005.  
45. Unless the donor requests a reimbursement, the remaining balances in favour of the various 
donors at the end of a Ministerial Meeting, are tr aditionally carried forward and added to the new 
contributions to be utilized for the same  purpose in the subsequent Conference.  
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 761,026.16 Contributions received in 2008 Interest 2008 26,696.46
 
Total funds 787,722.62 Total expenditures 2008 0.00
 
Balance as at 31 December 2008 787,722.62 
 
TNL05 – Netherlands Trainee Programme 
 
46. The Netherlands Trainee Programme was launche d on 1 April 2005 and was to be completed 
by 31 December 2008.  In November 2008, the Govern ment of the Netherlands extended the period of 
application of the arrangement for four more years, i.e. until the end of 2011. 
47. The objective of the Programme is to generate tangible, measurable and lasting capacity 
building in areas related to trade policy in l east-developed countries, low income countries and 
comparable poor and vulnerable economies with par ticular attention given to African countries to 
assist in their economic and social development. 
48. The Programme provides junior public officials with the opportunity to learn about matters 
dealt with in the WTO.  The target group of candi dates who can qualify for the Programme are junior 
professionals from trade and development-related mini stries, private sector organizations, university 
graduates, participants in trade policy courses and other suitable candidates w ith adequate knowledge 
of the WTO. WT/BFA/W/182 
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  49. Trainees spend a total period of up to ten months with the WTO and are expected to complete 
a specific and well defined task in that period, which is relevant for the beneficiary country in terms of capacity building and/or in the ongoing negotiations, such as: 
(a) undertaking a needs assessment for identifyi ng priorities for technical assistance and 
training, based on the guidelines established to that effect; 
(b) contributing to the attainment of the Doha  Round, e.g. tabling an initial or improved 
offer in services; 
(c) fulfilling outstanding notificati on obligations and assisting in the implementation of 
commitments for new, recently acceded Members; 
(d) assisting acceding countries in this process; 
(e) assisting in the preparation of TPRs; 
(f) undertaking other tasks, which would contribut e to a better and fuller participation of 
the beneficiary country in the MTS; 
(g) assisting WTO Divisions in specific tasks. 
50. The candidates are selected by the Secretariat, following applications and nominations 
proposed by the beneficiary countries. 
51. Trainees work full-time like Secretariat staff me mbers and carry out tasks and duties assigned 
to them but with no expectancy of renewal or extension of the traineeship beyond ten months.  
Following the completion of their assignments, train ees are expected to provide an evaluation report 
with detailed information of the tasks accomplishe d and an assessment of their relevance for the 
candidate and the beneficiary country. 
52. At the end of 2008, the total number of trainees who had joined the Programme since its 
launch in April 2005 was 49.  
53. The trainees who were on board during 2008 were from Uganda, Kyrgyz Republic, Cote 
d'Ivoire, Chad, Laos, Swaziland, Burkina Faso, Niger and Congo. 
54. Eleven new trainees are scheduled to take up their duties in early 2009. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 438,919.38Contributions received in 2008 1,139,105.00Interest 2008 10,430.04
Total funds 1,588,454.42Total expenditures 2008 (465,544.16)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 1,122,910.26
 
TTFHR – Trade Facilitation National Needs Assessments – Human Resources 
 
55. The Trade Facilitation National Needs Assessme nts programme attracted the interest of 
several WTO Members and led to the decision to establish a trust fund to finance the technical 
assistance activities described therein. WT/BFA/W/182 
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  56. Due to the high level of interest of the recipi ents and the importance of these activities for the 
trade facilitation negotiations, the Secretariat needed additional support staff for handling 
administrative and logistical tasks, to facilitate  the delivery of the proposed activities within the 
allotted time frame and in the most efficient manner. 
57. The United Kingdom allocated part of its contribut ion to this sub-project to cover the salary 
and salary-related costs of one short-term support st aff member for the duration of the project, i.e. 2 
years on a full-time basis. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 60,452.30Contributions received in 2008 142,875.00Interest 2008 664.18
Total funds 203,991.48Total expenditures 2008 (120,359.52)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 83,631.96
 
TTFNA –Trade Facilitation National Needs Assessments 
 
58. The mandate for WTO negotiations on Trade Fac ilitation was adopted in July 2004.  Special 
and differential treatment and technical assistance and capacity building are integral parts of the 
negotiations that are linked to the final outcome .  The mandate encourages Members to assess their 
trade facilitation needs and priorities.  The importa nce of such assessments was also reiterated in the 
Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration.  The WTO Secretariat in cooperation with the Annex D 
organizations (IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, World Bank a nd WCO) is, therefore, proposing a programme 
to provide technical assistance to  WTO Members and Observers, upon request, to conduct a national 
self assessment of their individual trade facilitation n eeds and priorities.  This programme is offered to 
all WTO Members and Observers that are deve loping countries, least-developed countries or 
countries that designate themselves as small,  low-income, or economies in transition. 
59. The individual assessments of trade facilitation needs and priorities of beneficiary countries 
are carried out in workshops that last for five working days and with the use of a special needs 
assessment guide that has been developed by th e World Bank with input from the other Annex D 
organizations. 
60. The long-term objective of the programme is to contribute to more effective participation of 
Members and Observers in the WTO trade facilitati on negotiations.  A needs assessment is expected 
to provide detailed information on technical a ssistance requirements of recipient countries and a 
valuable basis for the eventual implemen tation of any results of the negotiations. 
61. The programme implementation started in Septem ber 2007 and is expected to be completed 
within two years in response to approximately 90 requests. 
62. Contributions have been provided in many forms, monetary, in-kind, provision of facilitators, 
direct organization and funding of particular n eeds assessment workshops, etc.  Some technical 
assistance agencies have offered to fund and conduc t the assessments for all countries that fall under 
their mandate.  For example, the USAID Sout hern Africa Global Competitiveness Hub and the 
Oceanic Customs Organization (funded by AUSAID). WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 15 
 
 
  63. Financial resources were pooled from the fo llowing donors:  Denmark, Ireland, Norway, 
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, United Kingdom, and the European Communities. 
64. National needs assessment workshops were conduc ted in the following countries during the 
period September 2007 – December 2008 with the fi nancial support provided:   Zambia, Malawi, 
Mexico, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Tanzania, Burund i, Paraguay, Uganda, Jordan, Honduras, Egypt, 
Guatemala, Vietnam, Rwanda, Yemen, Tunisia, Chinese Taipei, Nigeria, Benin, Democratic Republic 
of Congo, Nepal, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Kenya, Antigua and Bar buda, Swaziland, Pakistan, 
Lesotho, Gabon, Grenada, Fiji, Jamaica, Ghana,  Colombia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, 
Morocco, Panama, Cambodia, Albania, China, A ngola, Central African Republic, Ecuador, Papua 
New Guinea, Malawi, Argentina, Saint Kitts and Ne vis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, 
Seychelles, Dominican Republic and Cote d'Ivoire. 
65. Moreover, during the same period: (i) the Tr ade Facilitation Self-Assessment Guide was 
revised to reflect the progress in the negotiations; (ii)  supporting materials were also revised to reflect 
changes to the Guide and to make improvements ba sed on participant and facilitator evaluations and 
WTO Secretariat and Annex D suggestions; (iii) training courses and sessions were provided to 
facilitators and Geneva-based delegates. 
66. The programme was promoted through targeted campaigns.  Continuous meetings were held 
to promote/explain the needs assessment process.  Th ese meetings were held fo r small groups or for 
individual countries.  A large meeting was held fo r African and LDC countries.  Presentations were 
made as part of the trade facilitati on sessions at the two Geneva Weeks. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 1,603,083.77Contributions received in 2008 637,853.00Interest 2008 55,703.76
Total funds 2,296,640.53Total expenditures 2008 (1,237,807.11)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 1,058,833.42
 
TTFNG –Trade Facilitation Trust Fund – Window I- Participation of Capital Based Officials in 
the Negotiating Group Meetings  
 67. The WTO negotiations on trade facilitation are conducted through meetings of the 
Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation (NGTF).  The NGTF consists of representatives of all WTO 
Member and Observer countries.  The meetings ar e normally attended by a representative of the 
country's mission in Geneva.  However, most de veloped and larger deve loping countries bring 
delegations from their capitals, especially customs offi cials, to participate in the meetings and advise 
the negotiator on technical issues.  Participation from capital-based expert officials not only provides 
more effective responses to issues raised during the meeting but also results in more effective support 
from the capital due to increased understanding of the negotiation proposals and process. 
68. The mandate for WTO negotiations on trade fac ilitation was adopted in July 2004 (WT/L/579 
– Annex D).  Paragraph 5 of the Mandate states:  
It is recognized that the provision of technical assistance and support for capacity building is 
vital for developing and least-developed countries to enable them to fully participate in and WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 16  
 
  benefit from the negotiations.  Members, in particular developed countries, therefore commit 
themselves to adequately ensure such suppor t and assistance during the negotiations. 
69. In connection with this paragraph, Members not e that paragraph 38 of the Doha Ministerial 
Declaration addresses relevant technical assistance and capacity building concerns of Members. 
70. The trade facilitation measures that have been  proposed and are under negotiation fall under 
three existing GATT Articles that concern border and transit fees and formalities and transparency 
and appeals procedures.  Knowledge of border-related procedures is vita l for effective participation in 
the negotiations.  Because of the highly technical  nature of these measures, some WTO Members, 
particularly low-income countries from Africa and el sewhere, have stressed th e need for capital-based 
experts, in particular customs officers, to particip ate as a delegate of their country in the Negotiating 
Group on Trade Facilitation meetings at the WTO in Geneva. 
71. In this context, in early 2008, the WTO Secr etariat proposed that costs relating to the 
participation of relevant capital-based expert o fficials from LDC and other low-income developing 
Members and Observers in meetings of the negotia ting group on trade facilitation be met by resources 
pooled from donors and channelled through the Trade Facilitation Trust Fund – Window I.  These 
officials are drawn from national administrations or, preferably and where possible, from relevant 
administrations representing economic groupings whose pr actice or aim is to apply, or move towards, 
a common policy and/or practice on some or all trade facilitation matters. 
72. The qualifications ideally include: i) technical knowledge of the proposed WTO trade 
facilitation measures; ii) member of the country's  trade facilitation task force or committee; iii) 
participation in the country's WTO national self-asse ssment of needs and priorities, and iv) mastery of 
at least one of the WTO working languages.  A r ound-trip economy ticket is provided by the WTO.  
Hotel charges and a standard per diem of CHF 100 for meals and incidentals for the duration of the meeting are also paid. 
73. In order to fulfil the requirements of the mandate  and meet the needs of the African and least-
developed countries, the following major actions were  taken during 2008 with the financial support of 
the United Kingdom and the European Communities: 
74. Participation in the 14 – 18 July 2008 NGTF meeting: 48 officials from African and least-
developed countries attended the m eeting in Geneva.  Training sessi ons were provided throughout the 
week to assist the capital-based offici als to better understand the negotiations. 
75. Participation in the 1 – 3 December 2008 NGTF meeting: 25 officials from African and least-
developed countries attended the meeting in Geneva. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 Contributions received in 2008 844,532.00Interest 2008 16,172.27
Total funds 860,704.27Total expenditures 2008 (300,165.45)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 560,538.82
 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 17 
 
 
  76. More officials from African and least-developed co untries are expected to  participate in the 
meeting of the NGTF scheduled to take place in May and July 2009.  In addition, a half day workshop 
concerning issues pertaining to trade facilitati on support is also planned for next year. 
TTFWB – Trade Facilitation Workshop – World Bank Session 
 77. The World Bank provided the funds for the Tr ade Facilitation Workshop held in conjunction 
with the July meeting of the Negotiating Group on  Trade Facilitation.  The Workshop was held in 
Geneva, on 21 July 2008. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 0.00 Contributions received in 2008 48,000.00   Total funds 48,000.00 Total expenditures 2008 (35,924.34)
 
 12,075.66 Contribution reimbursed (12,075.66) Balance as at 31 December 2008 0.00 
 
TUS03 – United States – Sanitary and Phy tosanitary Measures – Related Activities 
 
78. Resources made available by the United States were  to be used towards one of the following 
specific purposes:  (i) completion of the SPS Notificati on Database and/or to invite a representative of 
an African regional economic grouping (COMESA ) to attend the specialized course on the SPS 
Agreement.  
79. The Agriculture and Commodities Division launc hed a publicly available SPS Information 
Management System (SPS IMS) in 2007, which le d to significant efficiency gains and enhanced 
searching, reporting and analysis capabilities for all interested parties.  The SPS IMS includes, among 
others, data on SPS notifications  submitted by Members and has become the fundamental and 
indispensable tool for issuing and tracking SPS notificati ons.  It is also a necessary step in the creation 
of a system for the on-line submission of notifications to the WTO by Members.  Following a series of proposals, the SPS Committee adopted a number of modifications to the various notification 
formats used.  The resources made available by th e United States have been fully used in 2008 to 
partially finance the cost of the required modificatio ns to the SPS IMS and trust fund has been closed.  
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 17,325.76Contributions received in 2008 0.00Interest 2008 0.00
Total funds 17,325.76Total expenditures 2008 17,325.76
Balance as at 31 December 2008 0.00
  WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 18  
 
  TWB01 – Standards and Trade Development Facility 
 
80. The Standards and Trade Development Facility (S TDF) is a joint initiative of the Food and 
Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the World Bank, the World 
Health Organization and the WTO.  It assists developing countries in compliance with food safety, 
animal and plant health (sanitary and phytosanitary or SPS) measures in international trade.  Other 
international organizations, representa tives of donors and developing coun tries participate in its work.  
The Secretariat of the STDF is housed at WTO. 
81. The establishment of the STDF in September 2002 resulted from the joint commitment taken 
by the above-mentioned institutions  at the Doha Ministerial Conference held in Qatar in November 
2001. 
82. The STDF has two main aims: 
(a) To assist developing countries in enhanci ng their expertise and capacity to analyze 
and to implement international SPS standard s, so improving their human, animal and 
plant health situation, and t hus their ability to gain and maintain market access;  and 
(b) To act as a vehicle for co-ordination among technical co-operation providers, the 
mobilization of funds, exchange of experience and dissemination of best practice. 
83. The STDF is both a co-ordinating and a funding mechanism.  It acts as a forum for co-
ordination and information dissemination on SPS-relate d technical co-operation activities.  Central to 
this role is the sharing of project and programme  implementation experience and the dissemination of 
best practice.  The STDF co-ordinates closely w ith Aid for Trade and the Enhanced Integrated 
Framework.  Funding is available for project development and for project implementation.  
Development grants turn good ideas into projects.  Grant financing is available for projects addressing 
SPS capacity building issues. 
84. The seed funding was provided by the World Bank.. The STDF attracted funds from the 
following donors:  Australia, Canada, Denmark, Eu ropean Communities, Finland, France, Germany, 
Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States. 
85. In accordance with its Medium Term Strategy (2007-2011) and the Operating Plan for 2008-
2009, STDF's operation in 2008 addressed the four main ar eas of the work defined, i.e. coordination, 
information dissemination, project development and project funding. 
86. Greater emphasis was put on developing STD F's coordination activities in 2008 at an 
international, regional and national le vel.  At the global level, three thematic events, attended by more 
than 200 participants, were organized in Geneva  prior to the meetings of the SPS Committee: 
(a) The workshop on SPS-related capacity evalua tion tools (31 March) considered the 
merits of specific and generic tools deve loped by international organizations, and 
helped to increase understanding about the va rious tools available and their practical 
application. 
(b) The information session on private standards (26 June) provided an update on recent 
developments in this area and related donor  initiatives, and examined options for 
facilitating compliance with these schemes.  
(c) The workshop on good practice in SPS-rela ted technical cooperation (6 October), 
organized jointly with the OECD and WTO Secretariat, considered examples of good WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 19 
 
 
  practice in SPS technical assistance including use of the Paris Principles on Aid 
Effectiveness.  It was based on research carried out in East Africa, Central America and the Greater Mekong Basin Sub-Region. 
87. As part of its coordination role, the STDF also contributed expertise and analysis to a UNIDO 
Expert Working Group meeting (Rwanda, Septem ber), a UNIDO/WTO LDC Ministerial Conference 
on Aid for Trade (Cambodia, November), a UNIDO conference on traceability (Cairo, 
November 2008) and an IPPC meeting on building national phytosanitary capacity (Rome, December). 
88. At a regional level, the STDF organized wo rkshops on the mobilization of SPS-related 
technical assistance in East Africa (28-29 May,  Uganda), the Greater Mekong Delta Sub-Region 
(20-21 May, Cambodia) and Central America (11-12 J une, Guatemala).  This work raised the profile 
of SPS issues as a supply-side constraint within the Aid for Trade process,  consolidated existing 
evaluations of SPS needs, identified existing a nd future planned sources of SPS assistance, and 
identified outstanding SPS needs in the three regi ons.  Various follow-up activities were initiated, 
including projects in Guatemala and Cambodia and a project preparation grant in Tanzania.  
89. In West Africa, the STDF is working closely with a number of international and regional 
organizations and other stakeholders to promote a coordinated response to manage fruit flies in West 
Africa. 
90. At the national level, various coordination activ ities were carried out with donors and national 
government partners.  This included work to de velop projects and ensure collaboration with the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework and needs identified in the Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies.  At 
the end of November 2008, 19 projects were being developed benefiting Least  Developed Countries 
(LDCs). 
91. Ongoing activities to disseminate information and increase awareness about the STDF among 
donors and partner organizations were carried out in  2008.  These included: (i) publication of a new 
newsletter (in English, French and Sp anish) in March, June and October;  (ii) publication of the first in 
a new series of STDF briefings – this one focused on good practice in SPS technical cooperation; (iii) 
initiation of preparatory work for a short film on SPS issues including the development and distribution of a preliminary script outline and sel ection of a production company following a tender 
process; and (iv) presentations on the STDF at va rious meetings both inside and outside WTO. 
92. Six project preparation grants were accepted for funding.  The Working Group approved 
seven projects for funding by the STDF.  Funding shortfalls in the second half of 2008 created a 
backlog of approved projects to be contracted, wh ich is currently being addressed.  Three projects 
(STDF 173, 13, 114) were completed in 2008  and evaluations were being planned.  
93. The Secretariat was strengthened with the recr uitment of two additional staff in March 2008.  
Recruitment of an administrative assistant was ongoing. 
94. In conclusion, targets for activities in 2008 have been fully met.  The main factor which may 
constrain performance continuing at the same leve l in 2009 is a potential shortfall in funding for 
projects. 
95. An independent evaluation of the Facility, pub lished in 2008, judged the performance of the 
STDF to be "good and in many important areas very good".  The evaluation concluded that it "carries 
out an important role that no othe r single body would be able to accomplish and the participation of 
the five partner organizations, the donors and th e observer organizations means that it has ready 
access to expertise in a large number of SPS- and development-related areas".  WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 20  
 
  Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 5,455,199.09Contributions received in 2008 3,492,261.98Interest 2008 130,041.10
Total funds 9,077,502.17Total expenditures 2008 (5,091,993.67)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 3,985,508.50
 
EPSF1 – Programme Support Fund 
 
96. The Programme Support Fund (PSF) receives the 13 per cent overhead fees charged on direct 
costs in all the trust funds administered by the WTO.   According to its terms of reference, it should be 
used to finance expenses of a general nature, i.e.  not related to any specific technical assistance 
project, which support technical assistance activities of the WTO as a whole.  WTO shares part of the 13 per cent overhead fees charged to various trust funds that it manages with implementing partners. 
97. Ten per cent of the expenses in the PSF is statutorily credited back to the WTO regular budget 
as a token contribution in recognition of the fact that the Organization's resources are being used for the delivery of the technical assistance activ ities financed from the extra-budgetary funds. 
98. In 2008, expenses in the PSF corresponded mainly to fixed-term and short-term contracts for 
professional or support staff performing back-o ffice duties relating to the delivery and the 
administration of technical assistance activities. 
99. The fixed-term and short-term contracts fi nanced from PSF included the following positions; 
(a) One fixed-term support staff member in the Human Resources Division; 
(b) two fixed-term support staff members in the Budget and Finance Section – Trust 
Fund Unit; 
(c) one fixed-term support staff member in the Budget and Financ e Section – Finance 
Unit; 
(d) one fixed-term support staff member in the Budget and Finance Section – Travel 
Unit; 
(e) five fixed-term support staff members in the ITTC – Logistics Unit; 
(f) two fixed-term support staff members in Informatics Division; 
(g) three fixed-term professional staff members in the Economic Research and Statistics 
Division; 
(h) one short-term professional staff memb er in the Technical Cooperation Audit; 
(i) three short-term support staff members in the Budget and Finance Section – Finance 
Unit; 
(j) one short-term professional staff member in the ITTC; 
(k) one short-term support staff member in the ITTC – Logistics Unit; 
(l) one short-term professional staff member in the ITTC; 
(m) two short-term support staff members in the ITTC; WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 21 
 
 
  (n) one short-term support staff member in the Medical Unit. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF Funds as at 1 January 2008 1,206,684.31Revenue – Overheads 2,994,200.53Overheads shared with partners (482,268.78)
Total funds 3,718,616.06Total expenditures 2008 (2,544,849.68)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 1,173,766.38
 
T0013 – Independent Entity – Pre-sh ipment Inspection – Deposits 
 100. Independent Entity (IE) is a mechanism for settling disputes between exporters and pre-
shipment inspection companies/ agencies, constituted by the WTO, International Chamber of 
Commerce (ICC) and International Federation of Inspection Agencies (IFIA) and established under 
Article 4 of the Agreement on Pre-shipment Inspection. 
101. Deposit payments from the following pre-shipme nt inspection companies have been received 
to cover the estimated costs of an independent re view in the event of a dispute as required by the 
terms of reference of the Agreement:  Bureau Ver itas International, Cotecna International Limited, 
Inspectorate Griffith Limited, Inchcape Testing Services International Limited. 
Financial report – Summary 
 
 CHF 
Funds as at 1 January 2008 88,070.46Contributions received in 2008 0.00Interest 2008 110.00
Total funds 88,180.46Total expenditures 2008 (80.00)
Balance as at 31 December 2008 88,100.46  
  WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 23 
 
 
   
    
 
    
 
EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2008 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 24  
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
As at 31 December 2008 
(CHF) 
    
 Notes 2008 2007 
ASSETS     
    
Current Assets     
Cash held in General Fund and cash equivalents  24,367,569.81 22,702,532.59 
    
Receivables from    
Staff - Education grant advances  50,032.20 110,920.00 
Staff -Travel advances  7,303.00 2,552.40 
Implementing Partners  419,720.26 387,543.22 
Miscellaneous   4,514.74 214,810.60 
    
Other accounts receivable    
Prepayments  26,983.20 105,754.31 
    
TOTAL ASSETS  24,876,123.21 23,524,113.12 
    
LIABILITIES     
    
Current Liabilities     
Accrued expenses (Reserve for outstanding obligations)  4,213,444.00 2,848,874.18 
Due to donors (Revenue received in advan ce) Table 6 20,662,6 79.21 20, 675,238.94 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES  24,876,123.21 23,524,113.12 
    
 
 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 25 
 
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Performance 
As at 31 December 2008 
(CHF) 
 
 Notes 2008 2007 
Operating Revenue    
Voluntary contributions Table 2 25,640,138.93 28,588,959.72 
Contribution reimbursements Table 3 -138,949.43 -307,556.11 
Interest on investment Table 4 545,651.00 537,680.00 
Interest on current account  110.00  
PSF revenue - Overheads Table 5 2,994,200.53 2,904,285.37 
Overheads shared with partners Table 5 -482,268.78 -440,127.58 
Total Operating Revenue  28,558,882.25  31,283,241.40  
    
Operating Expenses    
Staff costs - Work years  5,974,758.13 5,033,268.35 
Staff costs - Temporary assistance  2,289,959.12 2,151,987.01 
Consultants  958,853.50 3,107,540.79 
Internships  807,893.88 1,150,506.50 
Telecommunications and postal charges  335,328.74 342,293.45 
Supplies - Office, Computing, Reproduction, reproduction  174,263.29 392,872.08 
Insurance  52,287.12 80,149.26 
Miscellaneous - Administrative charges  4,618.76 40,683.29 
Training activities - Conference rooms  256,055.52 277,716.51 
Training activities - Airfares  5,880,759.30 6,351,236.18 
Training activities - Subsistence allowances  3,248,785.86 3,147,795.65 
Training activities - Hotels  2,206,730.04 2,301,103.73 
Training activities - Miscellaneous  351,697.16 402,202.68 
Sponsoring - Implementing partners  3,016,171.99 218,380.00 
Miscellaneous - Other  51,194.69 32,733.38 
Overhead charges Table 5 2,994,200.53 2,904,285.37 
Profit/Loss on exchange  -32,115.65 6,660.72 
    
Total Operating Expenses  28,571,441.98 27,941,414.95 
    
  -12,559.73 3,341,826.45 
 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 26  
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
Statement of Changes in due to Donors 
As at 31 December 2008 
(CHF) 
 
 Notes 2008 2007 
    
Balance due to Donors at the beginning of the year Table 6 20,675,238.94 17,333,412.49 
    
Excess of income/expenditure for the year  -12,559.73 3,341,826.45 
    
TOTAL due to donors  20,662,679.21 20,675,238.94 
 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 27 
 
 
  EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW – 2008 
 
 102. Table 1 synthesizes the financial situation of all the extra-budgetary funds as at 31 December 
2008. 
103. The Secretariat prepares a detailed financial statement of accounts for each individual trust 
fund.  These reports are submitted to the donors and contain factual information including date, type, 
location, beneficiaries and subject of events with regard to the activities undertaken or under way with 
the financial support of the voluntary contributions. 
104. In 2008, the total voluntar y contributions received am ounted to CHF 25,640,138.93. 
(Table 2). 
105. Contributions reimbursed tota lled CHF 138,949.43. (Table 3). 
106. The total amount of interest earned was CHF 545,651. (Table 4). 
107. Overheads charged at 13 per cent on the direct costs incurred in the trust funds amounted to 
CHF 2,994,200.53, of which CHF 482,268.78 was shared  with other implementing partners, leaving 
net resources of CHF 2,511,931.75 in th e Programme Support Fund. (Table 5). 
108. Expenditures in all the extra-budgetary fu nds totalled CHF 28,571,441.98. (Table 1 and 
Statement of Financial Performance). 
109. As at 31 December 2008, balances due to donor s in all the funds entrusted to the WTO 
amounted to CHF 20,662,679.21, (Table 6). 
110. The following funds were closed at the end of  2008 and the remaining balances were either 
reimbursed or transferred to other funds: 
(a) TAPF2 – Annual Public Forum 2007. 
(b) TDDA7 – 2007 Doha Developmen t Agenda Global Trust Fund. 
(c) TIF04 – Integrated Framework – Additional Work. 
(d) TTFWB – Trade Facilitation – Training Session by World Bank. 
111. Resources available in the following fund have been  fully used and closed at the end of 2008. 
(a) TUS03 - SPS-related activities. 
   
  WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 28 TABLE 1 
Extra-Budgetary Funds – Financ ial Situation Overview – 2008 
(CHF) 
Fund Donor Fund Balance on 
1 Jan 2008  Transfers 
Between 
Funds Contributions 
Received Interest  Contributions 
Reimbursed Total Funds  Actual 
Expenditure Overhead 
Fees Total 
Expenditure Balance on 
31 Dec 08  Notes 
TRUST FUNDS              
TAPF2 EC / Norway Annual Public Forum 2007 126,873.77    (126,873.77) -  -  - -  (1) 
TDDA7 WTO Members DDAGTF - 2007 7,778, 416.10 (7,778, 416.10)    -   - - - (1) 
TDDA8 WTO Members DDAGTF - 2008 - 7,778,416.10 18,575,867.95 221,934.56  26,576,218.61 15,075,032.07 1,959,754.17 17,034,786.24 9,541,432.37   
TDOCS Spain GATT and WTO Documents 485,446.86   8,537.08  493,983.94 323,991.15  42,118.85 366,110.00 127,873.94   
TFR03 France SPS Related Activities 81,863.67   2,871.74  84,735.41   - - 84,735.41   
TIF01 UNDP IF - Outreach Activ ities 132,640.09   4,652.95  137,293.04   - - 137,293.04   
TIF02 Denmark / Switzerland / U K IF - PIU 1,324,288.28 20,029.80   34,208.13  1,378,526.21 671,651.05  87,314.64 758,965.69 619,560.52   
TIF03 Integrated-Framework-
UNDP IF Enhanced Secretariat Start-up 380,579.80    11,302.66  391,882.46 160,704.42  20,891.57 181,595.99 210,286.47   
TIF04 Switzerland IF - PIU -Amendment -  
TF Manage r - (4,241.86) 74,470.00   70,228.14 62,148.80 8,079.34 70,228.14 (0.00) (1)  
TIF05 Switzerland / U K IF - ED Selection - (15,787.94) 111,995.00 544.57  96,751.63 67,618.92 8,790.46 76,409.38 20,342.25   
TIF06 Sweden IF - Additional Consulting -  58,000.00 281.62  58,281.62 37,800.00 4,914.00 42,714.00 15,567.62   
TIMM1 Denmark / Ireland Interns for Selected Missions 354,983.62  515,179.00 8,301.21  878,463.83 200,515.80  26,067.05 226,582.85 651,880.98   
TJIT2 ITC JITAP II 379,385.52    13,308.67  392,694.19   - - 392,694.19  
TMI06 WTO Members 6th Min. Conference, Hong Kong 761,026.16    26,696.46  787,722.62   - - 787,722.62   
TNL05 Netherlands Trainee Programme 438,919.38  1,139,105.00  10,430.04  1,588,454.42 411,985.98  53,558.18 465,544.16 1,122,910.26   
TTFHR United Kingdom Trade Facilitation - Human 
Resources  60,452.30  142,875.00 664.18  203,991.48 106,512.85  13,846.67 120,359.52 83,631.96   
TTFNA WTO Members Trade Facilitation - Needs 
Assessments 1,603,083.77  637,853.00  55,703.76  2,296,640.53 1,095,404.52 142,402.59 1,237,807.11 1,058,833.42   
TTFNG WTO Members Trade Facilitation - Negotiating 
Group -  844,532.00  16,172.27  860,704.27 265,633.14  34,532.31 300,165.45 560,538.82   
TTFWB World Ban k Trade Facilitation - Negotiating 
Group  48,000.00  (12,075.66) 35,924.34 31,791.45 4,132.89 35,924.34 0.00 (1)  
TUS03 United States  SPS Related Activities 17,325.76     17,325.76 15,332.53 1,993.23 17,325.76 0.00 (1)  
TWB01 WB and WTO Members  STDF on SPS 5,455,199.09  3,492,261.98 130,041.10  9,077,502.17 4,506,189.09 585,804.58 5,091,993.67 3,985,508.50   
TOTAL TRUST FUNDS   19,380,484.17  -25,640,138.93 545,651.00 (138,949.43) 45,427,324.67 23,032,311.77 2,994,200.53 26,026,512.30 19,400,812.37   
OTHER EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS    
EPSF1   Programme Support Fund 1,206,684.31 (482,268.78) 2,994,200.53   3,718,616.06 2,544,849.68  - 2,544,849.68 1,173,766.38 (2)(3) 
T0013   IE – Pre-shipment Inspection 88,070.46   110.00  88,180.46 80.00  - 80.00 88,100.46   
TOTAL OTHER EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 1,294,754.77 (482,268.78) 2,994,200.53 110.00  - 3,806,796.52 2,544,929.68  - 2,544,929.68 1,261,866.8 4   
                   
GRAND TOTAL    20,675,238.94  -28,634,339.46 545,761.00 (138,949.43) 49,234,121.19 25,577,241.45 2,994,200.53 28,571,441.98 20,662,679.21   
(1) Funds closed in 2008  
(2) PSF - Contributions received = resources de rived from 13 per cent overheads charged  
(3) PSF - Transfers between funds represent part of the 13 per cen t shared with implementing partners.  WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 29 
 
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
TABLE 2 - Voluntary Contributions Received in 2008 
(CHF) 
Fund Donor CHF 
Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund Austria 322,320.00   
  Australia 986,050.00   
  Canada 404,620.80   
  Switzerland 800,000.00   
  China 205,600.00   
  Czech Republic 87,288.25   
  Germany 1,566,000.00   
  Denmark 205,779.00   
  Estonia 49,425.10   
  Spain 571,550.00   
  European Communities 1,513,519.70   
  Finland 1,347,225.00   
  Ireland 1,547,000.00   
  Japan 489,316.00   
  Korea 359,800.00   
  Liechtenstein 40,000.00   
  Luxembourg 771,500.00   
  Netherlands 1,472,990.00   
  Norway 2,005,213.56   
  Romania 79,450.00   
  Sweden 2,697,279.89   
  Slovak Republic 60,000.00   
  Turkey 50,000.00   
  United States 943,940.65 18,575,867.95 
EIF Trust Fund Manager Selection Switzerland   74,470.00 
EIF Executive Director Select ion Switzerland 62,445.00   
  United Kingdom 49,550.00 111,995.00 
EIF Additional Start-up Sweden   58,000.00 
Internship Programme Denmark 205,779.00   
  Ireland 309,400.00 515,179.00 
Netherlands Trainee Programme Netherlands   1,139,105.00 
Trade Facilitation - Human Resources  United Kingdom   142,875.00 
Trade Facilitation - National Needs Assessments Spain 189,428.00   
  European Communities 397,250.00   
  United Kingdom 51,175.00 637,853.00 
Trade Facilitation - Negotiating Group Meetings European Communities 84,032.00   
  United Kingdom 760,500.00 844,532.00 
Trade Facilitation - Special Session World Bank   48,000.00 
Standards and Trade Development F acility Switzerland 200,000.00   
  Germany 221,250.00   
  Denmark 617,337.00   
  European Communities 342,550.00   
  Finland 163,300.00   
  Ireland 309,400.00   
  Netherlands 981,997.00   
  Norway 170,502.98   
  United Kingdom 485,925.00 3,492,261.98 
TOTAL     25,640,138.93 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 30  
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
TABLE 3 - Contributions Reimbursed in 2008 
(CHF) 
 
Fund Donor CHF 
European Communities 73,221.10   Annual Public Forum  
Norway 53,652.67 126,873.77 
Trade Facilitation  World Bank     12,075.66  
TOTAL     138,949.43 
 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 31 
 
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
TABLE 4 - Interest Ea rned in 2008 
(CHF) 
 
Fund Donor CHF 
DDAGTF Austria 5,159.31   
  Australia 10,853.46   
  Canada 4,997.02   
  Switzerland 3,541.26   
  China 1,331.31   
  Czech Republic 1,201.98   
  Germany 21,698.48   
  Denmark 4,932.44   
  Estonia 30.74   
  Spain 7,923.20   
  European Communities 14,592.25   
  Finland 10,121.11   
  France 1,562.41   
  Hong Kong 1,259.97   
  Ireland 7,039.61   
  Iceland 423.00   
  Italy 3,149.83   
  Japan 8,258.30   
  Korea 4,394.67   
  Liechtenstein 316.08   
  Lithuania 744.59   
  Luxembourg 11,175.59   
  Netherlands 9,175.49   
  Norway 24,929.47   
  New Zealand 1,069.25   
  Romania 874.12   
  Sweden 43,178.78   
  Slovak Republic 37.31   
  Turkey 369.49   
  Taipei 305.49   
  United Kingdom 3,446.08   
  United States 13,842.47 221,934.56 
Preservation and Enhanced Dissemination Spain 7,665.08   
 of GATT and WTO Documents -Funds Italy 872.00 8,537.08 
SPS Related Activities France 2,871.74 2,871.74 
IF - Outreach Activities UN DP 4,652.95  4,652.95 
IF - PIU Switzerland 9,759.50   
  Denmark 10,095.52   
  United Kingdom 14,353.11 34,208.13 
IF Enhanced Secretariat Start-up UNDP 11,302.66 11,302.66 
IF - ED Selection United Kingdom 544.57 544.57 
IF - Additional Consulting Sweden 281.62 281.62 
Interns for Selected Missions Denmark 1,909.70   
  Ireland 6,391.51 8,301.21 
JITAP II ITC 13,308.67 13,308.67 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 32  
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
TABLE 4 - Interest Ea rned in 2008 
(con't) 
 
Fund Donor CHF  
6th Min. Conference, Hong Kong Austria 742.50   
  Australia 278.92   
  Canada 3,051.81   
  Switzerland 326.80   
  Denmark 4,887.72   
  Ireland 1,649.26   
  Iceland 476.07   
  Japan 1,043.90   
  Luxembourg 180.09   
  Sweden 9,703.62   
  Taipei 779.21   
  United Kingdom 3,576.56 26,696.46 
Trainee Programme Netherlands 10,430.04 10,430.04 
Trade Facilitation - Human Resources United Kingdom 664.18 664.18 
Trade Facilitation - Needs Assessments Switzerland 4,842.16   
  Denmark 10,704.50   
  Spain 4,355.86   
  European Communities 9,823.33   
  Ireland 5,987.45   
  Norway 7,465.16   
  Sweden 8,729.65   
  Taipei 1,522.65   
  United Kingdom 2,273.00 55,703.76 
Trade Facilitation - Negotiating Group European Communities 1,071.00   
  United Kingdom 15,101.27 16,172.27 
Standards and Trade Development Facility Australia 630.47   
  Canada 6,134.98   
  Switzerland 3,968.47   
  Germany 6,480.03   
  Denmark 22,517.46   
  European Commission 5,882.02   
  Finland 1,361.98   
  Ireland 4,210.35   
  Italy 4,797.33   
  Netherlands 8,761.41   
  Norway 2,608.66   
  Sweden 26,406.73   
  United Kingdom 29,801.89   
  United States 5,109.72   
  World Bank 1,369.60 130,041.10 
TOTAL   545,651.00 545,651.00 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 33 
 
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
TABLE 5 - Overheads as at 31 December 2008 
(CHF) 
 
Fund CHF 
TDDA8 Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund 1,959,754.17 
TDOCS Preservation and Enhanced Dissemination of GATT and WTO Documents -Funds 42,118.85 
TIF02 Integrated Framework - Programme Implementation Unit 87,314.64 
TIF03 Integrated Framework - Enhan ced Secretariat Start-up 20,891.57 
TIF04 Integrated Framework –Amendment - TF Manager Selection and M&E Framework 8,079.34 
TIF05 Integrated Framework – Amendment - Executive Director Selection 8,790.46 
TIF06 Additional consultancy work for negotiations with the Trust Fund Manager 4,914.00 
TIMM1 Internship Programme - Missions 26,067.05 
TNL05 Netherlands Trainee Programme 53,558.18 
TTFHR Trade Facilitation Human Re sources Trust Fund 13,846.67 
TTFNA Trade Facilitation National Needs Assessments 142,402.59 
TTFNG WTO Trade Facilitation Trus t Fund- Window I 34,532.31 
TTFWB Trade Facilitation Workshop- World Bank Session 4,132.89 
TUS03 SPS Implementation Activities 1,993.23 
TWB01 Standards and Trade Development Facility 585,804.58 
Total overheads charged to various trust fund 2,994,200.53 
 
Overheads shared with implemen ting partners -482,268.78 
 
Net resources - Programme Support Fund 2,511,931.75 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 34  
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
TABLE 6 - Detail - Due to Dono rs as at 31 December 2008 
(CHF) 
 
Fund Donor CHF 
DDAGTF Austria 186,737.60   
  Australia 505,920.31   
  Canada 245,713.66   
  Switzerland 319,432.19   
  China 82,261.52   
  Czech Republic 49,721.94   
  Germany 966,562.95   
  Denmark 223,725.41   
  Spain 23,439.68   
  Finland 616,196.97   
  France 47,008.52   
  Hong Kong 37,909.08   
  Ireland 776,374.43   
  Italy 94,769.83   
  Japan 322,344.01   
  Korea 211,164.42   
  Lithuania 22,402.71   
  Luxembourg 406,632.16   
  Netherlands 837,625.88   
  Norway 1,159,516.57   
  New Zealand 32,170.72   
  Romania 52,360.74   
  Sweden 1,583,307.83   
  Slovak Republic 23,866.66   
  Turkey 20,023.41   
  United Kingdom 103,683.30   
  United States 590,559.87 9,541,432.37 
Spain 80,263.13   Preservation and Enhanced 
Dissemination of GATT and WTO Documents -Funds Italy 47,610.81 127,873.94 
SPS Related Activities France 84,735.41 84,735.41 
IF - Outreach Activities UNDP  137,293.04 137,293.04 
IF - PIU Switzerland 175,079.62   
  Denmark 183,538.60   
  United Kingdom 260,942.30 619,560.52 
IF Enhanced Secretariat Start-up UNDP 210,286.47 210,286.47 
IF - ED Selection United Kingdom 20,342.25 20,342.25 
IF - Additional Consulting Sweden 15,567.62 15,567.62 
Interns for Selected Missions Denmark 205,518.85   
  Ireland 446,362.13 651,880.98 
JITAP II ITC 392,694.19 392,694.19 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 35 
 
 
  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION - EXTRA-BUDGETARY FUNDS 
 
TABLE 6 - Detail - Due to Dono rs as at 31 December 2008 
 
(con't) 
 
Fund Donor CHF 
6th Min. Conference, Hong Kong Austria 21,908.67   
  Australia 8,230.07   
  Canada 90,048.54   
  Switzerland 9,642.64   
  Denmark 144,220.29   
  Ireland 48,664.09   
  Iceland 14,047.22   
  Japan 30,802.00   
  Luxembourg 5,313.78   
  Sweden 286,321.24   
  Taipei 22,991.89   
  United Kingdom 105,532.19 787,722.62 
Trainee Programme Netherlands 1,122,910.26 1,122,910.26 
Trade Facilitation - Human Resources United Kingdom 83,631.96 83,631.96 
Trade Facilitation - Needs 
Assessments Switzerland 105,097.60   
  Denmark 232,335.93   
  Spain 145,695.31   
  Ireland 129,955.94   
  Norway 162,029.10   
  Sweden 189,474.58   
  Taipei 33,048.61   
  United Kingdom 61,196.35 1,058,833.42 
Trade Facilitation - Negotiating 
Group United Kingdom 560,538.82 560,538.82 
  Canada 143,728.12   
  Switzerland 93,472.81   
  Germany 237,690.60   
  Denmark 788,022.37   
  Finland 75,459.79   
  Ireland 231,904.81   
  Italy 112,390.22   
  Netherlands 636,836.21   
  Norway 133,487.17   
  Sweden 618,647.34   
  United Kingdom 762,073.00   
  United States 119,708.75   
  World Bank 32,087.31 3,985,508.50 
Programme Support Fund WTO Members 1,173,766.38 1,173,766.38 
Pre Shipment Inspection - Deposit 
Account Bureau Veritas International Ltd. 17,670.54   
  Cotecna International Ltd. 17,576.97   
  Inspectorate Griffith  Ltd. 17,671.85   
  Inchcape Testing Services Int'l Ldt. 17,670.53   
  Société Générale de Surve illance S.A. 17,510.57 88,100.46 
TOTAL   20,662,679.21 20,662,679.21 WT/BFA/W/182 
Page 36  
 
  STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICAN T ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
 
 112. The financial and accounting records of the trust funds are maintained in conformity with the 
WTO Financial Rules and Regulations, as adopt ed by the General Council (WT/GC/M/82). 
113. The financial period consists of one calendar year. 
114. Expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis. 
115. The accounts are maintained in Swiss francs.  Wherever applicable, conversion of currencies 
is made in conformity with WTO practices. 
116. Gains or losses on exchange are added to or deducted from expenditures. 
117. A reserve is maintained for all outstanding ob ligations at the end of the financial year. 
118. Commitments are entered for the entire amount of  outstanding obligations identified as such. 
119. Overhead fees equivalent to 13 per cent of the direct cost of the activity financed with the 
support of the Donor are charged to the trust funds  in accordance with the decision of the General 
Council reported in WT/GC/M/32. 
120. Interest earned on the Donor's contribution is show n in the financial reports and statements of 
account. 
121. Any balance left in a multi-donor and revolving trust fund at the end of a year is normally 
shared between donors on a pro-rata basis, i.e. ac cording to their share in the total funds made 
available.  An exception to this is where there is  earmarking and/or special conditions attached by a 
donor in such a fund.  In that case, that donor's sh are is calculated according to the conditions imposed 
(and/or earmarking) before prorating the rema ining amount amongst the other donors who did not 
attach any conditions.  A donor's contribution may be considered as fully used  in the following cases:  
(i) remaining amount less than CHF 20,000 in a revolving fund;
1 (ii) the terms of the special 
conditions state the contribution amount as a ma ximum participation to financing a multi-donor 
project and stipulate an implementation period,  i.e.  an end date for a revolving fund  
 
    (signed) (signed) 
________________________   _______________________ 
 Pascal Lamy Robert Luther 
 Director-General Director   Administration and General Services Division  
__________  
                                                     
 
1 In the case of revolving funds, as the balance is carried forward in the subsequent year to finance the 
continuation of the activities, (unlike funds established to finance one-off projects and/or with a time limit), 
there is a risk of never exhausting certain contributions.  For the sake of simplification and pragmatism, and to avoid the never–ending carry-forward of very small amounts, the practice is not to the allow carry-forward to 
the following year of a balance of less than CHF 20,000.