With these new donations, Denmark’s overall contribution to the WTO development programmes has reached CHF 14.5 million (about DKK 86.8 million).

These donations are intended to build the capacity of developing and, in particular, least developed countries to negotiate effectively within the WTO and help implement and comply with WTO agreements and international standards. This is essential to protecting the trade interests and development needs of the world’s poorest countries.

“I welcome Denmark’s donations to the WTO trust funds. These contributions will allow developing countries to expand their markets, integrate in the global economy and take better advantage of the multilateral trading system” declared the WTO Director General Pascal Lamy

Danish Ambassador Steffen Smidt said “Denmark has continuously supported developing and Least-developed countries in building their trade capacity and this contribution represents an increase compared to last year. Through these donations, it is our expectation that developing countries will better understand WTO rules and use them to their advantage. This is essential for trade to be used as a tool for growth and poverty reduction. Denmark will hold the EU Presidency in spring 2012 and development is a top priority on our trade agenda both within the EU and beyond.”

A first donation of DKK 4 million (about CHF 670,000) will be offered to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. This contribution will be used to finance WTO technical assistance activities targeted especially at the needs of developing and least-developed countries, as well as economies in transition.

A second donation of DKK 4 million will be provided to the Standards and Trade Development Facility. This contribution will assist developing countries in improving their expertise and their capacity to analyse and implement international sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS) thus enhancing their human, animal and plant health situation and ability to gain and maintain market access. The STDF is a joint initiative of the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

A third donation of DKK 2 million (about CHF 334,000) will be given to the Internship Programme for the Mission of Selected WTO Members in Geneva. This Programme helps Missions from least developed countries enhance their understanding of the multilateral trading system and trade policy in general.