A multi-donor programme that helps the poorest countries be more active in global trade — the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) – will have its mandate extended into a new phase, the EIF Steering Committee decided on 18 December 2014. Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, in addressing the Committee, said: “Trade can be an effective tool for economic growth and poverty reduction when the right conditions exist. The EIF was established precisely to help LDCs create those conditions.”

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The EIF Steering Committee, which includes representatives of all least-developed countries (LDCs) and the donor community as well as EIF partner agencies, decided to extend the mandate of the programme into a second phase, starting from 2016. The Steering Committee urged the EIF to build on the achievements of the first phase while addressing the need for reforms in key areas in order to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the programme.

The EIF is currently helping 50 of the poorest countries worldwide. The WTO is one of six partner agencies of the programme and also hosts the Executive Secretariat.

In his introductory remarks to the EIF Steering Committee, DG Azevêdo stressed that the programme is making a difference on the ground through increased private sector development and employment in some of the poorest countries. “There is no other programme that supports LDCs to address all aspects of their trade capacity in this way – and that puts the LDCs themselves in the driver's seat,” said DG Azevêdo.