Over the last 7 years of the DDAGTF existence, Japan has continuously supported the fund and its contribution has now reached nearly CHF7 million.

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.

“I welcome this new donation as well as the “Development Initiative for Trade 2009” launched by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Shintato Ito at the Global Review on Aid for Trade in July 2009, which demonstrate Japan’s invariable commitment to help developing countries integrate in the global economy and take better advantage of the multilateral trading system” declared WTO Director General Pascal Lamy.

Japanese Ambassador Shinichi Kitajima stated “Through the Doha Development Fund, Japan has continuously supported developing countries with the aim of increasing their trading capacity and improve their participation in the multilateral trading system.”