Norway contributes NOK 23 million to help poorest countries trade more effectively
The government of Norway is contributing NOK 23 million (nearly USD 3 million) of the NOK 150 million (USD 18 million) it has pledged for Phase Two of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a programme aimed at helping least-developed countries (LDCs) use trade to achieve economic growth.
Norway has played an active role in shaping Phase Two of the programme and was the first pledging donor in this initiative.
Phase Two of the EIF began on 1 January 2016 following a Pledging Conference held on the eve of the WTO’s Ministerial Conference in Nairobi on 14 December 2015. Norway is the EIF’s top donor and has been a long-standing partner of the EIF in its efforts to create a trade-conducive environment for LDCs and to work towards promoting economic growth and sustainable development for these countries.
Norway’s WTO Ambassador, Harald Neple, said: “By contributing to the EIF’s important work in LDCs, together with other donors, we aim to ensure a solid financial basis for this programme in the years to come. We hope to see more resources leveraged through other partners and sources as part of the second phase of the programme. We look forward to seeing the LDCs actively seizing the opportunities that trade brings.”
EIF Executive Director, Ratnakar Adhikari, said: “As our top donor, Norway remains a committed champion for the EIF. Norway’s generous contribution to the EIF Trust Fund sets the gold standard for others to follow. It will be essential as we carry out the Aid for Trade programme by helping the poorest countries to develop trade strategies and undertake activities that enable businesses to grow and exploit trade potentials, and support job and income opportunities for women and youth.”
The EIF is supported by a multi-donor trust fund, and provides financial and technical support to build trade capacity in 48 LDCs and three recently graduated countries. The EIF is a unique partnership among donors, LDCs and international agencies (IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNIDO, UNWTO, World Bank, and WTO). It is the only global Aid for Trade programme exclusively designed to helping LDCs develop sustainable trade strategies aimed at improving people’s lives by promoting private sector development and job and income opportunities. The EIF is recognized under Goal 8A of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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