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ITC is a valued partner of the WTO: Azevêdo (en)

12 June 2014
ITC News
Collaboration on trade facilitation can create momentum for Bali package

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a valued partner of the multilateral trading system, and a key partner in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Aid for Trade Initiative. WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said this at the opening of a two-day meeting of the Joint Advisory Group in Geneva on 11 June 2014.

The Director-General commended the ITC for its excellent work in providing support for trade information and promotion through Trade Map, Market Access Map and Standards Map. He noted that these products have become popular sources of useful, timely intelligence about market conditions for developing countries.

Mr. Azevêdo said the ITC can strengthen its partnership with the WTO by playing a role in taking forward all of the decisions that WTO members made in Bali last December, particularly those that apply specifically to least developed countries, including the Trade Facilitation Agreement. He stressed the need for assistance and support to be provided to countries to build their capacity to implement provisions of the agreement.

'I know that the ITC has already done some good work in this area through supporting countries to categorize their trade facilitation commitments or by raising awareness and supporting capacity-building in private businesses,' said Mr. Azevêdo.

He added that ITC can build on the success of Bali by supporting the WTO's efforts to draw up a work programme to conclude the Doha Development Agenda which would create new trade opportunities for all WTO member, particularly for developing countries. Mr. Azevêdo pointed out that the ITC can help ensure that the value of the multilateral trading system is recognized and the work is supported, and to ensure that ITC's clients in the private sector have the capacity to reap the benefits of these opportunities when they materialise.

The Director-General underscored the importance of continued support for development through trade by helping businesses in the poorest economies connect to open global markets underpinned by the multilateral trading system. Mr. Azevêdo said the ITC, WTO and UNCTAD must join forces to anchor trade within the post-2015 development agenda.