Trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building

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A number of mechanisms are in place to support LDCs through technical assistance and capacity-building related to trade.

Instruments	After graduation
The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), supports LDCs in building strong trade institutions, ensuring evidence-based analysis and investing in productive sectors with high export potential. EIF is approaching the end of its second phase and an interim facility had been instituted as discussions continued in a taskforce at the WTO on a future aid for trade mechanism for LDCs.	The EIF’s current graduation policy allows countries that graduate from the LDC category to remain eligible to receive support from the EIF for five years after graduation. Deliberations on a future support mechanism will likely consider a smooth transition period.
LDCs are a priority for the technical assistance offered under the WTO’s biennial technical assistance and training plan 2024–2025, which includes trade policy courses designed specifically for LDCs. LDCs are also a priority in different internship programmes at the WTO, and benefit from China’s LDCs and Accessions Programme, which aims at facilitating the participation of LDCs in WTO discussions. Several WTO Agreements contain provisions on technical assistance to LDCs: LDCs are to be given priority in technical assistance under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (article 11.8). The WTO agreement's Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3) allows for longer periods between Trade Policy Reviews for LDCs and states that the WTO Secretariat shall make available technical assistance on request to developing country Members, "and in particular to the least-developed country Members", for the preparation of the reviews. A Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) has been created to deliver support to LDCs and developing countries so that they may fully benefit from the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) Agreement establishes that developed country members shall provide technical and financial cooperation in favour of LDCs and other developing countries (article 67). Developed country Members were to provide incentives to encourage the transfer of technology to LDCs (Article 66.2) (Developed country members are required to submit annual reports on actions taken or planned pursuant to their commitments under Article 66.2. For more information, see the e-TRIPS section on Reports by Developed Country Members on the implementation of TRIPS Art. 66.2 (re. Technology Transfer to LDCs)). More information on the WTO's technical assistance and training page.	In 2024, WTO members agreed that countries that graduate from the LDC category will continue to benefit from LDC-specific technical assistance and capacity building under WTO’s technical assistance and training plan for three years after graduation. They also continue to benefit from a wide range of technical assistance products offered by the WTO Secretariat under its biennial technical assistance plan.
LDCs have priority in technical assistance delivered by WTO members and the WTO secretariat under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership supporting developing countries to implement sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, especially those under the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, has a target of dedicating at least 40% of total project financing allocated to LDCs or other low-income countries (OLICs). There is also a lower co-financing requirement for technical assistance. The minimum required contribution from LDCs and OLICS is 10%, as opposed to 20% for lower middle-income countries and 60% for upper middle-income countries.	The STDF has a transition mechanism which allows countries that graduated from the LDC category to continue to benefit from the 10 per cent contribution requirement for LDCs for a period of three years following graduation.
The Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL) provides legal advice on issues related to WTO, WTO dispute settlement support and capacity-building, and LDCs do not have to join as members in order to benefit from its services.	To continue to use the services of the ACWL, countries need to join with a one-time contribution.
The ePing notification alert system provides countries with timely access to notifications under the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and facilitates dialogue among the public and private sector in addressing potential trade problems at an early stage. It is available to all countries but especially geared towards meeting the needs of LDCs. It is a joint product of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), WTO and International Trade Centre (ITC).	ePing is available to any interested country or person.
The International Trade Center (ITC) works to build the capacity of private actors in LDCs so they can take advantage of the global trading system. ITC's LDC Trade Tracker allows users to monitor the trade of LDCs through thematic reports and interactive indicators.	ITC has support programmes for non-LDC developing countries

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Trade-related support for LDCs

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Trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building

Trade-related support for LDCs

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