Government of Ireland is giving out €350,000 (CHF 367,000) to Nigeria and other developing countries as part of efforts to encourage them participate in world trade.
According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the contribution from the government of Ireland was for WTO trade-related programmes to help developing countries and, in particular, least developed countries (LDCs) participate in multilateral trade negotiations and better access agricultural markets.
The world trade body which said the contribution was for 2017, noted that €50,000 (over CHF 55,000) of this contribution will help LDCs participate in the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11), which will take place from December 10-13, 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“€150,000 (approximately CHF 156,000) will be provided to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership aimed at helping developing countries comply with international food safety, animal and plant health standards and access agricultural markets more easily,” the WTO said.
It, however, said the remaining €150,000 (approximately CHF 156,000) will be donated to the WTO internship programme sponsored by France and Ireland, which aims to assist the permanent missions of developing countries based in Geneva.
WTO Director General, Roberto Azevêdo, said, “Ireland’s donation will help developing countries and LDCs acquire the necessary expertise to participate fully in world trade negotiations and to integrate further into the world economy. I warmly welcome Ireland’s generosity.”
Ireland’s WTO Ambassador, Patricia O’Brien, said, “the 2017 Global Review of Aid for Trade held at the WTO from July 11-13, 2017, highlighted the importance of continuously supporting developing countries, in particular LDCs, to help them achieve sustainable development. Through our donation, we are renewing our commitment to helping the poorest members raise their living standards and generate long-term growth.”
Ireland has donated almost €11 million (over CHF 12 million) to the various WTO trust funds over the past 15 years.