Since 2001 Norway has donated over 36 million CHF to several WTO trust funds.
Norway’s WTO Ambassador, Harald Neple, comments on the latest contribution: “Through our contribution, we aim to strengthen the possibilities for poor countries to participate in the multilateral trading system. We are committed to cooperating with poor countries in their efforts to use trade as an instrument of development.”
The contribution will help developing and least-developed countries (LDC) participate in multilateral trade negotiations, access agricultural markets and implement the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The contribution consist of CHF 1 million to Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund, CHF 500.000 to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). CHF 2 million to Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF).
WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo provided the following comments: “Norway's generous contribution is very welcome. It will be essential for enhancing the integration of developing and least-developed countries into the multilateral trading system so as to help foster economic growth and raise living standards in these countries.”
WTO’s press release can be found here.