. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/53 
1 December 2009 
 (09-6128) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
CAPE VERDE 
 
Statement by HE Mrs Fátima Fialho
 
Minister of Economy, Growth and Competitiveness  
   It is a great honour for me to participate at this Ministerial Conference.  It is especially important for Cape Verde, taking part fo r the first time as a Member of the WTO. 
 
 Cape Verde joined the WTO in July 2008 - a very significant milestone for the country.  It was a very demanding process, which lasted several years.  Membership of the WTO is, indeed, a 
critical element of our national strategy  towards socio-economic development. 
  On the other hand, following a United Nations ' General Assembly Resolution, Cape Verde 
graduated, in 2008, from the group of least develo ped countries (LDC).  Despite this impressive 
achievement, the country remains highly dependent on international support. 
  Upgrading our public institutions and the priv ate sector and building national capability are 
crucial for us. 
 
 We believe that participation in the WTO w ill help us address these challenges and, with your 
assistance and expertise, we will certainly be able to  take full advantage of our Membership.  The fact 
is that, along with an intrinsic vulnerability resu lting from insularity, Cape Verde also faces a huge 
structural vulnerability in terms of food and energy security.  
 We hope to continue to: 
 
 -  Benefit from duty-free and quota-free access to international markets;  
 
 -  receive financial and technical assistance that allows us to efficiently implement the 
reforms we have agreed upon within the adhesion process; 
 
 -  benefit from new technologies, since, as  we all know, developing countries do need 
better access to modern technology and services. 
  At present, a major challenge facing the WT O is ensuring that developing countries, 
particularly small ones like Cape Verde, not only participate in the multilateral trading system but 
gain real benefits from it as well. 
 WT/MIN(09)/ST/53 
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   It is in this light that we undertook the DTIS
1, and prepared an Action Plan, approved by all 
stakeholders.  In order to implement it we ar e, however, still waiting for the support of EIF2. 
  Cape Verde places high value on "Aid for Trade"  because it is a viable policy response to 
assist small vulnerable economies, like ours, in  building and increasing productive capacities and 
international competitiveness.  It is the only way we can truly seize the benefits of market access 
opportunities.   In this sense, we do recognize the need for 'scaling up' aid directed at developing countries, 
particularly small vulnerable economies and LDCs.  Th is will ensure that "Aid  for Trade" remains an 
important part of ODA, providing funding that takes into account both regional integration and 
country-specific priorities.   Let me conclude by once again indicating that we look forward to actively participate in the 
process of building an effective global trading system.  We believe that a balanced completion of the 
Doha Round will significantly contribute to the recovery and growth of the global economy and 
establish a more sustainable, development-orie nted international trading regime, giving new 
opportunities to all Member States.  However, our goal is not freer trade for trad e's sake.  It is about 
better living standards for our people, better hea lthcare and education, less poverty and a cleaner 
environment.  
__________  
                                                     
 
1 Diagnostic Trade Integration Study. 
2 Enhanced Integrated Framework.