Germany donates an extra CHF1.5 million for poor countries to fully benefit from the multilateral trading system

This donation will finance technical assistance programmes and training activities for developing and least developed countries as well as economies in transition. The aim is to better adapt their practices and laws to WTO rules and disciplines, improve the implementation of their obligations and enhance the exercise of their membership rights.

WTO Director General Pascal Lamy acknowledged this donation and declared “I am very happy that Germany’s donation will allow the poorest countries to enhance their participation to the multilateral trading system”.

Ambassador Steiner stated “Germany is committed to respond to developing countries needs and help them gain more from the multilateral trading system. Capacity building tools and programmes are essential to assist poor countries to take on new market opportunities.”

Germany first started its contributions to the WTO technical assistance and training activities in 2000 and has so far donated CHF10 million (approximately EUR6.3 million). It is today the second biggest voluntary contributor to the Fund.