Lamy: “We cannot afford to lose the momentum on Aid for Trade”
WTO News, 10 July, 2013
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, in closing the three-day Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade on 10 July 2013, said that “based on what I have heard over these three days, I would like to suggest that we focus on sustaining progress with two main targets in mind: bringing trade costs down while adding value to developing country trade”. He noted that “we have collected abundant evidence that the large sums mobilized on Aid for Trade are being well-spent”.
More…
27 governments and organizations stress importance of trade facilitation assistance
WTO News, 08 July, 2013
In a joint statement, 27 governments and organizations at the Fourth Aid for Trade Global Review on 8 July 2013 underlined the importance of providing technical assistance to trade facilitation programmes of developing countries. They noted that trade facilitation commitments rose by 365 per cent in 2011 to a total of more than US$ 381 million.
More…
Aid for Trade aims to “connect the least connected”
WTO News, 08 July, 2013
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, in opening the three-day Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade at the WTO on 8 July 2013, said: “Aid for Trade is making a difference. But it can make more of a difference if it tackles the factors needed to get the business and investment climate right. To connect the least connected in international trade.”
More…
ECA and WTO strengthen cooperation to enhance Africas participation in multilateral trade
WTO News, 08 July, 2013
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the WTO, on 8 July 2013, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building for African countries. Director-General Pascal Lamy said “building capacity to trade is a ‘must’ step for Africa to more effectively participate in the global economy.”
More…
Heads of Agency pledge to do more to support poorest countries to benefit
WTO News, 08 July, 2013
The Heads of Agency of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) – Aid for Trade in action for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) – are meeting in Geneva on 8 July during the Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade. The Heads of Agencies will recommit to helping the world’s poorest communities get more from global trading networks as the international community moves to a post-2015 development agenda. The event will help to signal what now needs to be done to make sure that LDCs can channel their exports and growth to reach for more than a 1.1% share of world trade.
More…
Experts say business models for pharmaceuticals must adapt to new circumstances
WTO News, 05 July, 2013
An increasing focus on improving access to healthcare for the poor across the world coupled with the need to stimulate innovation in medicines such as new antibiotics, tighter health budgets, stricter regulation of medicines, changing patterns of research, innovation and co-operation, and the rise of emerging markets – these are among the circumstances requiring new business models for innovation in pharmaceuticals, experts said on 5 July 2013.
More…