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WTO NEWS: 2004 PRESS RELEASES

Press/392
20 December 2004
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Denmark to donate a total of 1.85 million Swiss Francs to three WTO technical assistance funds

The Government of Denmark pledged today three new contributions totalling DKK 8.95 million (CHF 1.85 million) to the WTO technical assistance programmes. The amount of CHF 550,000 will go to the fund for the implementation of the Standards and Trade Development Facility in the sanitary and phytosanitary area. The WTO internship program will receive CHF 270,000. Finally, CHF 1.03 million is destined for the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund.

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> More on technical assistance

Enabling developing countries to take full advantage of the Multilateral Trading System is a key priority of the Danish government. Danish Ambassador Henrik Rée Iversen stated in this connection: “I am particularly pleased to announce the increase of Denmark's contribution to WTO's assistance to developing countries in light of this year's July Framework Agreement. The Danish contribution addresses both short and long term capacity constraints in developing countries with a view to an ambitious outcome at the Hong Kong Ministerial in 2005 and a successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda.”

“I welcome Denmark's contribution,” said Director-General Supachai. “Technical assistance is crucial and must cover all sectors, both those which are part of WTO's regular work and those which are currently under negotiation. At the same time, it is necessary to train not only the most senior delegates but also the junior staff who will one day be top negotiators. I thank Denmark for its generous contribution.”

The Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund finances activities which aim to enhance developing countries' participation in the WTO negotiations. The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) assists developing countries in improving their expertise and capacity to analyze and implement international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. The internship program provides the opportunity to developing country delegates to work for a year within the WTO Secretariat and thus perfect their knowledge of trade issues.