Press/264
19 December 2001
Germany contributes DM 1 million to the WTO technical assistance fund

The German government today announced a donation of DM 1 million (about CHF 0.75 million) for a multi-year programme that shall contribute:

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(a) to expand, improve and maintain WTO information technology tools in support of developing and in particular least developed countries (LDCs), focusing on WTO Reference Centres;

(b) to increase developing countries' knowledge of WTO rules, implement their commitments and obligations and exercise their rights, focusing on the assistance to LDCs,

(c) to improve programming, implementation and coordination of technical assistance in accordance with the guidance formulated in New WTO Strategy for Technical Cooperation.

To this effect, Ambassador. Walter Lewalter, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the International Organizations at Geneva, signed today an arrangement with WTO Director-General, Mike Moore.

“Our aim in making this contribution is to show support for the Doha Development Agenda and enable developing countries to be equal partners in the negotiations” Ambassador. Lewalter said.

“I am particularly grateful to Germany for its donation to the WTO Trust Fund”, said Director-General Mike Moore. “Germany's contribution will help the most disadvantaged of WTO Members in times when the WTO has to meet an increasing demand for technical cooperation and capacity building. This contribution is a concrete expression of Germany's commitment to the priorities established by Ministers in Doha, in particular to give greater assistance to developing countries. I am sincerely grateful for this donation”.