Survey on the International Support Measures related to WTO Provisions and Preferential Market Access for LDC - Responses by trading partners, Summary and analysis UNDESA/CDP Secretariat

Document Summary: 
This note presents the main findings of the Survey on the International Support Measures related to WTO Provisions and Preferential Market Access in favour of LDCs. Four trading partners (Canada, the European Union, Japan and New Zealand) participated in this initiative. The Surveys show that trading partners provide a wide range of measures in response to their obligations related to the provision of special and differential treatment for LDCs as contained in various WTO. Many follow a broad-based approach in their capacity-building activities aiming at the better integration of LDCs in the multilateral trading system. Trading partners also provide various schemes for preferential market access for LDCs. While there has been noticeable progress towards the provision of duty and quota free access for LDCs, the amount of duties paid on imports from LDCs continues to be significant, indicating that further efforts are needed. Finally, trading partners express different views regarding the extension of LDC preferences to countries graduating from the LDC category. A homogenous approach for the implementation of the agreed concept of smooth transition from the LDC list is yet to emerge.
Author: 
CDP Secretariat
Publication Date: 
2011
Document Topic/Theme: