The project is currently making steady progress. In terms of specific initiatives, Japan provides funds for the development of transportation networks vital to trade, including ports, roads, and bridges, as well as for projects to construct power plants and power grids, etc. It also provides technical cooperation in trade-related areas, including the education of customs officials. Japan also provides assistance to small-scale production groups and small companies in developing companies for the One Village, One Product Campaign*. In addition, Japan aids developing countries in attracting private sector investment by finding challenges unique to developing countries, recommends measures to promote investment, and otherwise encourages private investment.

Further, Japan is proactively engaged with Regional Technical Group on Aid for Trade for Asia and the Pacific which researches successful examples of development assistance that has contributed to economic growth through exports in the Asia region. At the Third Aid for Trade Global Review Meeting held in July 2011, examples of Japan's success in development assistance and other results from meetings of the Technical Group were introduced to representatives of other regions, and garnered high praise from participating countries.

## $ ^{*} $ Other Official Flows (OOF)

Flows of funds to developing countries from the public sector which are not considered to be ODA because the main purpose is not development. Examples include export credit, direct investment, financing of international organizations, etc.

## $ ^{*} $ Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Countries deemed by the United Nations to be particularly lagging in development even compared to other developing countries, based on the income classifications of developing countries. Countries that meet certain criteria, including a per capita gross national income (GNI) of $905 or less. Currently, there are 48 countries that have been so designated: 33 in Africa, 9 in Asia, 5 in Oceania, and 1 in Latin America.

## $ ^{*} $ Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

A broad economic agreement between specific countries (or regions) that, in addition to free-trade agreements (FTA) that stipulate the elimination of customs duties and the liberalization of trade in services and goods, addresses non-trade issues, such as the movement of natural paerons, investment, government procurement, and bilateral cooperation, etc.

## $ ^{*} $ One Village, One Product Campaign

Overseas utilization of an approach that began in Oita Prefecture in 1979. The aim is to create jobs and revitalize the community by developing unique local products through the utilization of local resources and traditional technology. Efforts are made to discover handicrafts, textiles, toys, and other attractive products that emanate the unique ethnic characteristics of developing countries in Asia and Africa, etc., and spread them out to a wider range of people, thereby aiding in the improvement of exports of products from developing countries.

A Mayan resident weaves traditional textiles under the direction of a Senior Volunteer in Guatemala (Photo: Sadao Muraoka)

## $ ^{*} $ Doha Round Negotiations (the Doha Development Agenda)

Negotiations between multiple WTO member countries aimed at liberalizing trade in a wide range of fields, including reduction/elimination of customs duties on industrial products and agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry products, and loosening regulations in the service sector. One of their challenges is the development of developing countries through trade.

## $ ^{*} $ Duty-free quota-free access

Measures implemented by the developed world to eliminate customs duties, quotas, and other obstacles to exports from least developed countries (LDCs) to the developed world. The number of target products has been expanding, and approximately 98% of products exported by LDCs to the developed world can be imported without payment of duties and without quotas. (As of November 2011)

## $ ^{*} $ Aid for Trade (AFT)

Assistance is provided to development countries to support efforts to improve trade-related capabilities and to prepare and maintain the infrastructure, for the purpose of aiding developing countries in achieving economic growth under the WTO’s multilateral trade structure.

## $ ^{*} $ Development Initiative for Trade 2009

Comprehensive measures to support the sustainable development of developing countries through trade. For developing countries to enjoy the benefits of a free trade system, not only must trade be liberalized, but it must be built on the three pillars of (i) production (improvement of the ability to produce competitive products), (ii) distribution and marketing (preparation and maintenance of a domestic and overseas logistics system including the distribution infrastructure), and (iii) purchasing (pioneering of markets). The aim is to combine means of assistance such as "knowledge and technology," "funds," "people," and "systems" with these three aspects, and provide comprehensive support that connects producers and laborers in developing countries to consumers in the developed world and developing countries.