AITIC National Workshop on the Pre-Trade Policy Review of Zambia

Zambia will undergo its second Trade Policy Review at the WTO on 27 and 29 July 2009. To prepare for the review, AITIC, in collaboration with the Government of Zambia, organised a “National Workshop on the Pre-Trade Policy Review of Zambia“ which took place in Lusaka, Zambia, on 29-30 June 2009.

The objective of the meeting was to analyse the policy changes that Zambia has carried out since its last TPR in 2002 and to strategise how best to move forward. AITIC assisted in preparing for the AITIC Post-TPR Special Session that will take place in Geneva immediately after the TPR at the WTO in July.

One of AITIC’s primary objectives is to assist the less-advantaged countries to have a more dynamic trade-led growth. Because of the current global economic crisis, this is particularly difficult for developing countries such as Zambia which faces a number of challenges due to it being a landlocked country and lacks the necessary infrastructure to support its economic activity.

The meeting focused on Zambia’s trade policy objectives and the WTO Agreements, including Zambia’s domestic trade and industrial policy, progress in the Doha negotiations as well as the Anti-dumping and Safeguards Agreements.

Presentation of AITIC’s activities during the 48th WTO Trade Policy Course

On the occasion of the WTO’s 48th Trade Policy Course, from 20 April to 10 July 2009, and as part of the cooperation between AITIC and the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC), the Agency presented its trade-related technical assistance activities for the less-advantaged countries (LACs), on Tuesday 30 June 2009, from 9.30 to 11.00.

Participants showed particular interest in AITIC’s Training Programmes as well as in its national capacity-building activities. Modalities of accession to AITIC were also discussed.

The purpose of the WTO trade policy courses is to expand participants’ understanding of trade policy matters, the multilateral trade system and the functioning of the WTO and to enable them to develop practical skills.

A delegation of Morocco visits AITIC on the sidelines of its Trade Policy Review

On the sidelines of the Kingdom of Morocco’s fourth Trade Policy Review at the WTO (24 and 26 June), an official delegation visited AITIC on 24 June 2009. The delegation was led by HE Mr Abdellatif Maâzouz, Minister of Foreign Trade.

Discussions focused on strengthening the collaboration between AITIC and the Kingdom of Morocco as the country sought the Agency’s trade-related technical assistance on the basis of specific concerns that had emerged from the TPR.

AITIC assured Morocco that it would provide assistance and advice on trade policy issues and organise institutional and human capacity-building activities at a national level.

Seminar in Saint Lucia on Trade-Related Assistance in the Caribbean Region

With the mutual objective to promote cooperation in favour of the less-advantaged countries (LACs), the Agency for International Trade Information and Cooperation (AITIC) and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) jointly organised a seminar on “Trade-Related Assistance in the Caribbean Region” from 15 to 17 June 2009, in Saint Lucia.

The seminar aimed to take stock of national and regional experiences in the Caribbean countries in the areas of trade in services, namely tourism, gender and trade, trade facilitation and needs assessments for Aid for Trade activities. International Support Mechanisms for trade-related development assistance by international financial institutions such as the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) and the World Bank (WB), and development assistance agencies such as AITIC and TaiwanICDF were also the focus of discussions.

Powerpoint Presentations:

• Aid for Trade in the OECS: Policy and Projects
• Caribbean Priorities in Aid for Trade
• CARICOM Experience on Developing Trade in Services
• Gender and Trade
• Private Sector Contribution in the Improvement of Trade Facilitation
• SELA‘S Trade-Related Assistance in the Caribbean Region
• The Private Sector’s Drive Towards Regional Trade Facilitation
• Trade Facilitation in the CARIFORUM-EU EPA
• Trade Facilitation Measures in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)
• Trade in Services - Tourism in Particular as a Tool for Development
• World Bank Trade Related Assistance in the Caribbean Region

Agriculture Mini-course for French-speaking LDCs

AITIC organised a Mini-course on Agriculture for French-speaking LDCs which took place over two half-days on 15 and 16 June 2009 on the AITIC premises.

The event aimed to reinforce the technical knowledge of Geneva-based delegates, allowing them to better understand the main provisions of the Agriculture Agreement and to participate more effectively in the WTO negotiations.

Issues under consideration included the main provisions on domestic support, market access and export competition, implementation experience, notification requirements and the state of play of the agriculture negotiations.

The Republic of Djibouti accedes to AITIC

AITIC is pleased to announce that the Republic of Djibouti has become AITIC’s 61st Participating Member. Pursuant to Article 17, paragraph 3, of the Agreement Establishing AITIC as an Intergovernmental Organisation, the accession becomes effective 30 days after having deposited the Instrument of Accession with Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, i.e. on 12 June 2009.

AITIC welcomes the Republic of Djibouti and looks forward to providing it with its trade-related technical assistance activities and services.

AITIC’s Official Fellowship Programme (OFP) and Professional Training Programme (PTP).

Launched initially in April 2007, AITIC’s Official Fellowship and Professional Training Programmes aim to strengthen the capacities of the less-advantaged countries Members of the Agency to better participate in the multilateral trading system.

• The Official Fellowship Programme, financed by the Agency’s regular budget, aims to host for a period of six months in Geneva government officials dealing with multilateral trade issues. The selected Fellows will work in AITIC’s premises to develop a project of particular interest to their Government, concerning the activities of the WTO or international trade negotiations. Moreover, the professional experience gained in the multilateral trading system will enable the Fellows to take part in the work and activities of the WTO and other trade-related international organisations in Geneva.
• With similar objectives, the Professional Training Programme is implemented in collaboration with the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.

Please click here for additional information on these programmes. This area is restricted to AITIC Members only.