The UAE has announced its plans to build a technical assistance programme to bolster more inclusive trade and empower developing nations to better access and engage in the global trading system.
The platform is expected to feature a suite of free available online tools to assist trade officials, negotiators, and policymakers from developing and least developed nations enhance their capacity and skills to engage in the complex and highly technical process of trade negotiations.
During the 13th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (WTO MC13), the UAE also confirmed it would gift the platform to eight WTO members: Ethiopia, Mozambique, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Comoros, Kyrgyzstan and Barbados.
The platform will serve as an always-available resource for developing country officials to draw on as they formulate trade policy and negotiate trade deals, the press release said. The audio-visual content will be supplemented with analytical studies, economic modelling, trade agreement implementation plans and a host of other best practice tools.
“The United Arab Emirates, under the vision and guidance of its wise leadership, is keen to transfer its successful experiences to various countries of the world,” said Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State. “This commitment is reflected in the recent launch of the ‘Trade for Development’ platform, which aims to maximise the positive impact of foreign trade on comprehensive development in these countries.”
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and MC13 Chair, added, “As a champion of trade’s power to accelerate development and raise living standards, the UAE believes that providing the materials to enhance the ability of countries across our region and around the world to participate in global trade benefits us all.”
The WTO Ministerial Conference is the highest-level decision-making forum for the organisation, which has the unique mandate to oversee and negotiate the rules of international commerce.
