PARIS - U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick announced
today that the United States will contribute approximately $1 million dollars for
trade-related technical assistance (TRTA) to the World Trade Organization. This latest
contribution will bring total U.S. TRTA for the Doha Development Agenda to almost $4
million since the launch of negotiations in November 2001.
"As we are working to move the Doha negotiations forward, we
recognize the importance of providing assistance to the developing countries to help them
participate in the negotiations, implement the obligations they undertake and benefit
from the results," said Zoellick. "This money can be used, among other things, to help
developing countries in enhancing their capacity to assess their interests and participate
in the market access related aspects of the DDA negotiations, including with respect to
the preparation of service requests and offers. We would also hope that this money
can be used to further strengthen the capacity of developing countries to participate in
the WTO's work on Trade Facilitation."
"Trade can be a powerful tool for developing countries in building
their economies and improving the lives of their citizens. Helping countries trade
more, helps Americans gain expanded access to overseas markets," Zoellick added. Trade
capacity building is an important means to help developing countries make the most of the
opportunity provided by the Doha negotiations.
One area of particular potential for developing countries is
services. According to the World Bank, the services industry represented 54% of the GDP in
low and middle income countries in 2000, up from 46% in 1990.
Today's announcement of $ 994,100 to the WTO is just one part of
much broader U.S. assistance efforts. The United States is the largest single
country donor of trade capacity. Total U.S. funding for trade capacity building activities was $761
million in FY 2003, up from $369 million in 1999.