§ 28. Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on helping developing countries increase their trade with developed countries. [37342]
§ Clare ShortThe agreement reached at the Doha WTO Ministerial defining the work programme under the Doha development agenda provides an important potential source of gains to developing countries through international trade. To ensure these gains are realised will require support for continuous improvement of developing countries' capacity to implement and negotiate various elements of international trade agreements. The UK is committed to building capacity in developing countries to increase their gains from international trading arrangements. I recently announced a package of £20 million for trade related capacity building, of which a third will be used to assist developing countries with the new capacity needs arising from the Doha agenda.
The UK is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that trade related technical assistance by all donors and multilateral agencies is provided within a coherent policy framework, so as to avoid duplication of effort and maximise impact.