The training course was inaugurated by Mr Ahmed Diomandé, assistant director of the office of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and promotion of SMEs. Mr Fé Doukouré Charles, academic coordinator, and Mr Mustapha Sekkate, officer in charge of this activity, also participated in the opening ceremony. Twenty-nine officials from 16 WTO Members and Observers took part in the course.

Regional trade policy courses (RTPCs) are designed by the WTO's Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) and last eight weeks. They are organized in partnership with universities. The courses are delivered in seven regions: the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Arab countries, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, and Asia-Pacific. The courses are aimed at strengthening the capacity of the participants to take part in work underway at the WTO by enhancing their understanding of the Organization's rules and procedures and their links to the WTO.

The RTPCs cover issues such as market access, trade facilitation, development, WTO accession, trade and environment, as well as intellectual property (IP) rights.

This course, delivered in Abidjan, will end on 12 April 2019.