This is very important considering that Africa's share of international trade is just two percent. It's not that developed countries' negotiators are sharper. By the time they come to negotiate, they are years ahead in terms of research. But even given our limited capacities, we really take them on. It's just that when it comes to some crucial negotiations, they can lend 200 people in Geneva.
Geneva is a very expensive place and for most developing countries it's discouraging to send people.
And the numbers may make the difference in the outcome of the negotiations. There are many techniques which are used in negotiations. You can go into a meeting and perhaps the first four hours they are talking past each other. It's done deliberately. Chifamba's frustration include the alleged use of money and threats by the donor countries.