Structurally weak, vulnerable and small economies: Who are they? What can UNCTAD do for them?

TD//54/CRP.4 11 October 2007 Distr.: Restricted English TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD Fifty-fourth session Geneva, 1-11 October 2007 "Structurally weak, vulnerable small economies": UNCTAD Background note Context summary background note prepared Division Africa, Developed Countries Special Programmes preliminary approach issues faced "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies", accordance paragraph 33 ã Paulo Consensus, member States decided "UNCTAD enhance work special problems LDCs, small island developing States, landlocked developing countries related problems challenges faced transit developing countries structurally weak, vulnerable, small economies". underlying exercise constitute step promoting special category member States. secretariat aims delineating group countries singled , UNCTAD members, 2004, decided pay increased attention. Maximum , methodological approach subject policy-related discussion, earlier relevant United Nations work, including work UNCTAD closely . relevance exercise UNCTAD' experience measuring economic vulnerability dealing structural problems developed countries (LDCs), land-locked developing countries (LLDCs), small island developing States (SIDS). result conceptual, methodological statistical choices exercise, 92 countries deemed meet characteristics "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies" (SWVSEs). fifths States (72) pertain United Nations-recognized special categories developing countries (LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS), 20 stand freshly recognized SWVSEs, disadvantaged countries enjoyed special international attention United Nations categorization. UNCTAD' approach multi-faceted issue structural weakness vulnerability rests goal resilience-building. Alleviating economic vulnerability SWVSEs implies reducing exposure external (economic natural) shocks. achieved enhanced economic base resilient -- exposed-- activities play greater role. Resilience-building requires sustained investment efforts diversify productive capacities, notably sphere trade services activities greater "knowledge content". International cooperation play key role facilitating efforts. UNCTAD, context, focus action : () continuing support SWVSEs recognized United Nations categories (LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS); (ii) extending assistance SWVSEs precepts "resilience-building" paradigm. GE.07- Contents 1. Introduction 2. SWVSEs: identification issues 2.1 Structural weakness, vulnerability, smallness: identifying countries individual characteristics 2.1.1 Structural weakness 2.1.2 Vulnerability 2.1.3 Smallness 2.2 : SWVSEs intersecting group 2.3 SWVSEs United Nations-recognized categories 2.3.1 developed SWVSEs 2.3.2 Land-locked SWVSEs 2.3.3 Small island SWVSEs 3. UNCTAD' ongoing prospective work favour SWVSEs 3.1 Building economic resilience: goal UNCTAD' ambit 3.2 UNCTAD' technical cooperation SWVSEs 3.3 informal agenda UNCTAD action favour SWVSEs 4. Conclusion Annex: groups countries referred paragraph 33 ã Paulo Consensus (colour chart) 2 "Structurally weak, vulnerable small economies": UNCTAD 1. Introduction Members UNCTAD, eleventh session Conference (UNCTAD XI) June 2004, decided "UNCTAD enhance work special problems LDCs, small island developing States, landlocked developing countries related problems challenges faced transit developing countries structurally weak, vulnerable, small economies" (paragraph 33 ã Paulo Consensus/SPC). background note constitutes preliminary approach secretariat implicit group countries referred part paragraph 33, , "structurally weak, vulnerable, small economies" (SWVSEs). remarks outset. Firstly, implicit group SWVSEs sphere economies structurally weak vulnerable small, intersecting range countries structurally weak vulnerable small economies abundantly clear semantic viewpoint. , interpretation (implying countries characteristics simultaneously) preferred, draws attention smaller group countries, making relevant advocacy realistic. , language SPC implies SWVSEs faced "problems challenges" "relate" disadvantages UNCTAD observed United Nations-recognized categories, , developed countries (LDCs), land-locked developing countries (LLDCs), small island developing States (SIDS). existence "related" problems challenges easily understood "transit developing countries" cooperative relationship land-locked developing countries, interface straightforward SWVSEs relation United Nations-recognized categories, mere overlap SWVSEs hand, LDCs LLDCs SIDS . implied SWVSEs recognized categories face disadvantages justifying international attention problems LDCs, LLDCs SIDS. Thirdly, UNCTAD mandated "enhance work" "related problems challenges faced …" SWVSEs, secretariat appears expected intensify improve efforts stream ongoing work, engage sphere work. LDCs, LLDCs SIDS objectively regarded structurally weak / vulnerable / small economies, paragraph 33 urges UNCTAD pay attention , work LDCs, LLDCs SIDS, implications structural economic weakness, economic vulnerability, economic smallness. history support LDCs, LLDCs SIDS, UNCTAD considerable work implications structural economic weakness, economic vulnerability external shocks, smallness economic constraint. 3 fact, notions dealt intertwined individual characteristics, illustrated historical reminders. early 1990s, UNCTAD played central role debate brought United Nations -conceptualize long-standing support “island developing countries” thrust advocacy favour “small island developing States” (SIDS). close relationship smallness vulnerability external shocks predominant feature programme action resulted 1994 Global Conference Sustainable Development Small Island Developing States1. Shortly SIDS conference, UNCTAD instrumental promoting consensus adoption Committee Development Planning, ECOSOC General Assembly economic vulnerability criterion -- criteria-- identifying LDCs. (successor) Committee Development Policy, anticipation 2000 review list LDCs, constructed composite Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI)2. Smallness structural weakness captured individual components EVI inception, reinforced 2005 introduction “remoteness” additional aspect structural weakness. UNCTAD, 2002, actively supported SIDS members World Trade Organization (WTO) efforts draw attention, WTO' Work Programme Small Economies (WPSE), problems “small, vulnerable economies”3. progress definition smallness vulnerability achieved WTO, dimensions jointly analyzed WPSE (partly light UNCTAD' work) looked conjunction related notion structural economic weakness. , generally recognized dimensions highlighted segment paragraph 33 SPC closely intertwined. , notion SWVSE tautological countries highly exposed external shocks precisely small economies, remote territories. SIDS, , vulnerable threat external shocks geographically prone natural disasters, smallness remoteness hinder improving economic specialization lowering exposure shocks. UNCTAD' preliminary approach, note, concept SWVSE guided objectives. 1 United Nations, Programme Action Sustainable Development Small Island Developing States, /CONF. 167/9, Part , Annex II (1994). 2 cf. United Nations, Vulnerability Poverty Global Economy, Report Committee Development Policy session (26-30 April 1999), para. 122. 3 notion prominence ministerial declaration WTO members Doha Ministerial Conference 20 November 2001: paragraph 35 "Small economies", WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1. Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, December 2005, echoed language paragraph 41 "Small economies". 4 () note attempts offer conceptual methodological elements identifying SWVSEs. constitute step defining special category UNCTAD member States. , aims delineating group countries singled , UNCTAD decided pay increased attention. () effort cast light range issues regarded reflecting "related special problems challenges" SWVSEs faced , discuss responses issues scope UNCTAD' work. offers UNCTAD opportunity contribute enriching international debate differentiated treatment disadvantaged countries. () Maximum , methodological approach subject policy-related discussion, earlier relevant United Nations work, including work UNCTAD closely . relevance exercise UNCTAD' history work issues economic vulnerability related structural problems LDCs, land-locked developing countries small island developing States. Section 2 focuses conceptual issues relevant identification "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies", highlights, countries, pertaining United Nations-recognized categories. Section 3 discusses advisable policy responses issues underscoring notion structural weakness vulnerability, reference objective alleviating vulnerability building economic resilience. Section 4 concludes note highlighting convergence SWVSEs UNCTAD' culture advocacy technical cooperation. 2. SWVSEs: identification issues underlining "enhance" work "related special problems challenges faced " number developing countries identifying relevant problems challenges countries stake, UNCTAD members implied issues countries , easily recognizable. Admittedly, "enhancing" work UNCTAD range issues implies empirical knowledge issues, relevant countries, capacity bring responses issues, notably technical assistance. Casting light relevant problems difficult knew precisely countries affected issues. effort delineate underlying range countries . section offers methodological elements . 2.1 Structural weakness, vulnerability, smallness: identifying countries individual characteristics SWVSE group countries, defined category, intrinsically leans implicit criteria: involves small economies , economies deemed vulnerable structurally weak. characteristics --structural weakness vulnerability-- generally viewed 5 converging features: large extent, structural weakness explains vulnerability. stands literature economic resilience, commonly argues structurally stronger economy -- economy based viable range activities-- resilient risk external shocks. observed earlier, economies structurally weak vulnerable economically small. notion "structurally weak, vulnerable small economy" partly redundant, tautological. problem, , disregarded present exercise, explicit dimensions underlying SWVSE denomination examined distinctly. 2.1.1 Structural weakness structurally weak economy recognized angles, multi-faceted nature influences extent degree structural weakness measured. Broadly speaking, conceptual approaches structural weakness envisaged. , view developing economy fails converge commonly referred "emerging economies" structurally weak. Essentially, -income countries tend structurally weak, nature magnitude structural weakness vary considerably, countries, explaining poverty. aspects economic performance structural weakness recognized include economic instability, , income volatility. approach, based economic performance necessarily pay attention determining factors structural weakness, predominant United Nations culture country classification. approach structural weakness rests idea , economy structurally weak exposure risk destabilization external shocks domestic control. approach equates structural weakness vulnerability: economy vulnerable -- resilient-- adverse external influences weak productive structure specialization exposes influences. High exposure shocks result economic concentration fragile sectors points diversification exposed activities. structural angle heart United Nations' approach economic vulnerability late 1990s. Committee Development Policy (CDP), conceptualizing Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI) 1999, postulated economic vulnerability recognized evidence fragility. fragility economic specialization country exposes risk frequent / dramatic external shocks domestic control (natural disasters trade-related shocks). central notion economic exposure implied, connotes structural weakness sectoral terms, methodologically embodied structural indicators entering formulation EVI4. 4 "structural" indicators entering formulation EVI share agriculture, forestry fisheries GDP ( greater share, , smaller share manufacturing services, higher degree economic vulnerability); UNCTAD' merchandise export concentration index ( higher degree concentration, greater risk export structure concentrated products exposed external shocks, , higher degree economic vulnerability). 6 approach structural weakness, United Nations pays attention "upstream" components weakness. fragility revealed poor economic results / excessive exposure external shocks consequence range structural disadvantages geographical nature, resulting mix natural policy-related factors. main geographical handicaps explain acute exposure economy smallness / remoteness, intrinsic ( concomitant) disadvantages . handicaps partly remedied time: include economic handicaps generally resulting infrastructural technological gaps, weaknesses human assets, notably shortages skilled human resources. approaches point convergence structural economic weakness, economic vulnerability economic smallness, fuelling impression conceptual redundancy. remedy permanent handicaps smallness remoteness, efforts pursued, policies, reduce structural weakness enhancing development factors (infrastructure, human resources, .) improving economic specialization (lesser exposure external shocks). , broadly speaking types structural weaknesses: irremediable weaknesses hand, essentially caused geographical factors, hand, remediable weaknesses resilience-building policy answer. Remedying structural weaknesses achieved enhanced specialization. countries constantly exposed risks external shocks, structural weakness considered reduced specialization economy evolved implies lesser exposure shocks country faced . Economic diversification translate structural strengthening involves economic activities exposed external shocks. typical concern, connection, diversification manufacturing industry enjoying preferential market access amounts genuine strengthening relevant preferences gradually eroded. legitimate question diversification international tourism structural improvement hospitality industry remains exposed risk violent natural disasters5. 5 economic history Mauritius, , diversification sugar monoculture materialized rapid development textile industry, continued significant acceleration tourism industry, culminated emergence successful offshore financial sector. pattern diversification unique success story, rare case structural strengthening small island developing States. , areas Mauritius' cumulative specialization considered exempt risks external shocks: sugar garment sectors severely affected growing forces trade liberalization; tourism industry, presently strongest pillar economy, prone potentially dramatic risk inclement weather; finally, offshore sector, sheltered physical damage soundly managed, remains exposed, tax havens, risk perpetration unlawful international transactions. 7 2.1.2 Vulnerability underlined , concomitance structural weakness economic vulnerability conceptually logical embodied United Nations' methodological statistical approach economic vulnerability, adopted 1999 fine-tuned 20056. current formulation EVI summarizes approach. composite index incorporates ( parentheses, weight indicator EVI): indicators external shocks: -1: Index instability agricultural production (12.5%) -2: Ratio homelessness caused natural disasters (12.5%) -3: Index instability exports goods services (25%); indicators exposure shocks: -1: Share agriculture, forestry fisheries (6.25%) -2: Index merchandise export concentration (6.25%) -3: Population logarithm (indicator smallness) (25%) -4: Index remoteness (12.5%)7. explicit dimensions SWVSE concept present components EVI: () shock indicators (-1, -2, -3) relate susceptibility adverse external factors, economic vulnerability; () “structural” indicators exposure (-1, -2) index remoteness (-4) regarded fair quantitative approaches structural weakness implies exposure adverse impacts permanent competitive disadvantage; () indicator smallness (-3) echoes concern smallness characteristics , combined dimensions, regarded sources economic difficulties. consubstantiality structural weakness vulnerability economic terms ( important dimension ), single indicator capture dual, tautological notion "structural weakness vulnerability". United Nations Secretariat calculated, subset 6 UN' approach economic vulnerability focuses external shocks domestic control measurable impact economy. includes natural disasters (cyclones, drought, .) long-term environmental shocks resulting global warming phenomenon (sea-level rise, coastal erosion, …). excluded disturbances poor governance ("political shocks"), regarded internally generated difficulties, external shocks. 7 alternative classification identified -1 -2 exposure indicators, -3 -4 handicap indicators, smallness remoteness easily understood permanent handicaps explaining disadvantageous economic exposure criteria exposure . 8 EVI, index exposure shocks aggregates individual indicators referred -1 -48. index, EVI, runs range 132 countries. CDP, composite indices periodically reviewing list LDCs, customarily applied quartile' rule determine relevant thresholds: 75% countries scoring unfavourably index accounted countries meet relevant criterion -- , economically vulnerable countries EVI-- remaining quartile (25% countries covered index) left meeting criterion. order delineate range developing economies deemed "structurally weak vulnerable", quartile' rule applied exposure index, runs " exposed" country (China, scoring 18.49) " exposed" country (Tuvalu, scoring 84.44). Elimination quartile " exposed" countries rule brings range 99 "structurally weak vulnerable" economies, Dominican Republic (40.43) Tuvalu (84.44). adjustments brought range 99 countries: () , Malta, longer regarded developing economy, 132 States United Nations runs EVI exposure index; () Pacific island countries exposure data (Marshall Islands, Federated States Micronesia, Nauru, Palau) recognized suffering handicaps similar observed structurally weak vulnerable economies Pacific; States safely regarded situated threshold structural weakness vulnerability absence relevant data. brings 102 estimated number "structurally weak vulnerable" developing economies. 2.1.3 Smallness international debate implications economic smallness pursued major multilateral circles. United Nations, notion economic size focused principally relation small island developing States (SIDS), global conferences, wealth literature, numerous reports United Nations 8 Committee Development Policy EVI, exposure index, periodically review list developed countries. , exposure index graphically represented Committee, 2005 report, illustrate structure "modified" EVI (: United Nations, Development challenges -Saharan Africa post-conflict countries, Report Committee Development Policy seventh session: 14-18 March 2005, . 29). modifications brought year involved: () addition remoteness indicator homelessness indicator individual components EVI; () amendment indicator sectoral structure (substituting share agriculture, forestry fisheries share manufacturing modern services GDP); () introduction weighting structure spelling weight individual indicator composite EVI. specifically CDP, exposure index calculated DESA (secretariat CDP) frequently UNCTAD analytical purposes. UNCTAD closely conceptual, methodological statistical work underpinned 2005 reform EVI. 9 Secretariat UNCTAD, General Assembly resolutions. , economic size , 2000 review list LDCs, considered Committee Development Policy ECOSOC important facet United Nations' approach economic vulnerability. justified insertion population indicator components Economic Vulnerability Index. World Bank, attention paid “small States” –notably context yearly “Small States Forum”— effort follow work carried international task force, late 1990s, initiative Commonwealth Secretariat World Bank9. World Trade Organization, problems “small vulnerable economies” discussed member States, 2002, “Work Programme Small Economies”. programme faced challenging dilemma answer special consideration small vulnerable countries implicit special group members allowed categorization, arrive formal definition, small vulnerable economies. Arguably, contentious aspect debate smallness question extent small size regarded handicap. stability relative prosperity small economies sphere international services (notably tourism) revealed merits smallness synonymous environmental beauty attractiveness. importance manufacturing activities diminish small economies, concern smallness barrier economies scale competitiveness scaled . February 1999, landmark paper ( provocatively) titled “Small States, Small Problems” presented inter-regional meeting small economies St. Lucia, auspices Commonwealth Secretariat World Bank10. generated acute concerns SIDS community. SIDS leaders, present meeting, view argument underlying paper underestimated structural difficulties SIDS facing, weakened plea special treatment small economies. UNCTAD focused analytical work notion smallness, supportive CDP' decision, 1999, introduce size element components EVI. UNCTAD, , consistently argued credibility United Nations advocacy favour SIDS considerably enhanced set official criteria adopted United Nations identify small island developing States, notably reference question smallness. 9 "Small States: meeting challenges global economy", Report Commonwealth Secretariat/ World Bank Joint Task Force Small States, April 2000, 126 . UNCTAD member Advisory Board task force. 10 paper subsequently published World Bank summary epigraph: "Small states, large states income growth, receive policy advice large states . greater openness, vulnerable volatility terms--trade shocks, openness pays growth": Easterly (William) Kraay (Aart), "Small States, Small Problems", Policy Research Working Paper . 2139, World Bank, June 1999, 36 . 10 generally ways capturing economic size: gross domestic product, population, share world trade11. gross domestic product (GDP) naturally encapsulates economy entirety (tradeable -tradeable goods services) reason, regarded orthodox indicator economic size. Comparatively, share world trade, favoured WTO members context ongoing debate small vulnerable economies, presents disadvantage leaving “-tradeable” economy, significant segments economy “tradeable” potential. Capturing economic size population conceptually reasonable considers people consumers producers. Favouring population angle involves interesting vision development, , perspective knowledge innovation engines capacity country converge advanced economies. present exercise, GDP considered suitable indicator economic size, fair response ã Paulo Consensus contemplates economically “small” endeavouring define notion. keeping quartile' rule "structural weakness vulnerability" criterion, selected threshold small economic size situated highest highest quartiles GDP series 132 countries EVI calculated. determines relevant cut- line gross domestic product $32 billion 2005 (GDP data UNCTAD' 2006 Handbook Statistics). chosen threshold brings list 99 economically small countries. adjustments brought range 99 countries: () , Cyprus Malta, longer regarded developing economies, 132 States United Nations runs EVI; (ii) small economies added , previous criterion: Marshall Islands, Federated States Micronesia, Nauru Palau. delineated range "small economies" amounts list 101 countries. 2.2 : SWVSEs intersecting group Intersecting - groups countries ("structurally weak vulnerable economies" hand, "small economies" ) brings aggregation 92 developing countries meet characteristics inherent SWVSE concept spelt ã Paulo Consensus (structural weakness, vulnerability, smallness). fifths countries (72) 11 noted land size rarely favoured meaningful criterion economic size. equally convincing examples countries illustrate limitations land size criterion Singapore ( minuscule State gross domestic product greater , , Zealand) Mongolia, country times size France, GDP smaller Lesotho. capacity developing countries expand expand economically correlated land mass. 11 pertain United Nations-recognized special categories countries: 21 land-locked developing countries: 15 LDCs: Afghanistan Malawi Bhutan Mali Burkina Faso Nepal Burundi Niger Central African Republic Rwanda Chad Uganda Lao People' Dem. Rep. Zambia Lesotho 6 -LDCs: Bolivia Paraguay Botswana Swaziland Mongolia Zimbabwe 29 small island developing States: 10 LDCs: Cape Verde Sao Tome Principe Comoros Solomon Islands Kiribati Timor-Leste Maldives Tuvalu Samoa Vanuatu 19 -LDCs12: Antigua Barbuda Nauru Bahamas Palau Barbados Papua Guinea Dominica St. Kitts Nevis Fiji St. Lucia Grenada St. Vincent Gren. Jamaica Seychelles Marshall Islands Tonga Mauritius Trinidad Tobago Micronesia (Fed. St. ) 22 developed countries land-locked small island States13: Angola* Liberia Benin* Madagascar Cambodia* Mauritania* Congo (Dem. Rep. )* Mozambique* Djibouti* Myanmar* Equatorial Guinea Sierra Leone Eritrea* Somalia Gambia Sudan* 12 15 data exist exposure index, data exist. 13 noted 13 countries ( asterisk) 22 developed SWVSEs transit developing countries. 12 Guinea* Tanzania (. Rep. )* Guinea-Bissau Togo* Haiti Yemen , SWVSEs (20 92 States) stand "freshly recognized SWVSEs", developing countries previously enjoyed United Nations attention special categorization. countries are14: Bahrain Ghana* Belize Guatemala Brunei Darussalam Guyana Cameroon* Honduras Congo* Namibia* Costa Rica Nicaragua ôte 'Ivoire* Oman Dominican Republic Panama El Salvador Suriname Gabon Uruguay 2.3 SWVSEs United Nations-recognized categories noted earlier, large majority ( fifths) identified SWVSEs pertain United Nations-recognized special categories countries. "overlaps" global configuration involves depicted colour chart annexed background note. concise focus States deemed "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies" falling category developed countries (LDCs) / group land- locked developing countries small island developing States. 2.3.1 developed SWVSEs 50 countries making developed countries category "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies" identified : Bangladesh, Ethiopia Senegal. Bangladesh meets criteria regarded SWVSE. GDP estimated $64 billion 2005 ( $32 billion threshold), , definition, regarded economically small. , score exposure index stands 25% threshold countries considered "structurally weak vulnerable" (40.3). GDP accounting 29% threshold smallness ($9.3 billion 2005, opposed $32 billion), Ethiopia regarded economically small. , falls threshold "structural weakness vulnerability" (albeit narrow margin: 3%) meet criteria jointly required, - methodology, SWVSE recognition. 14 19 countries (Cameroon, Congo, ôte 'Ivoire, Ghana, Namibia) transit developing countries. 13 Senegal' situation similar Ethiopia light criteria. GDP accounts 26% threshold smallness ($8.3 billion 2005), country economically small. , Senegal stands marginally threshold structural weakness vulnerability ( 2%) meet adopted set criteria recognized SWVSE. expected, scores countries United Nations' Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI) poorest LDCs: Bangladesh, 2006 review list LDCs, stood graduation threshold relevant criterion (147.5% threshold), Ethiopia Senegal close threshold (96.6% 90.9%, ). Table 1, 47 LDCs regarded "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies" 53% exposed external shocks -- exposure index-- -SWVSEs, export earnings 80% unstable -SWVSEs. notable interest fact SWVSEs, LDCs (group . 1) exposed -LDCs (group . 10). , , -LDC island SWVSEs disadvantaged ( 7%) developed SWVSEs. means geographical handicap "islandness" significant factor exposure external shocks poverty structural disadvantages captured LDC status. 47 developed SWVSEs, 44 regarded United Nations economically highly vulnerable score EVI threshold graduation LDC status15. LDCs meet graduation threshold relevant EVI light 2006 review list LDCs ( regarded vulnerable external shocks) Tanzania (111% threshold), Guinea (110%), Nepal (101.5%). 44 highly vulnerable, developed SWVSEs distributed ( increasing order economic vulnerability): 13 developed SWVSES EVI score 80% 100% graduation threshold: Mauritania (93.5%) Mozambique (87.1%) Madagascar (91.3%) Togo (82.9%) Yemen (90.5%) Zambia (82.1%) Myanmar (90.1%) Bhutan (81.7%) Congo (89.4%) Burkina Faso (81.4%) Mali (89.4%) Uganda (80.2%) Angola (87.5%) 19 developed SWVSES EVI score 60% 80% graduation threshold: 15 virtue graduation rule established United Nations' Committee Development Policy triennially reviewing list developed countries, LDC exceed graduation thresholds LDC identification criteria ( income; weakness development human capital; economic vulnerability) regarded qualifying graduation ( Annex 1). 14 Malawi (77.9%) Solomon Islands (66.9%) Niger (76.0%) Cape Verde (65.8%) Sudan (76.0%) Lao People' Dem. Rep. (65.8%) Lesotho (75.3%) Sao Tome Principe (65.4%) Maldives (75.3%) Rwanda (64.3%) Central Afr. Rep. (74.9%) Burundi (63.5%) Benin (73.0%) Afghanistan (63.1%) Cambodia (72.6%) Djibouti (63.1%) Gambia (68.4%) Chad (60.5%) Haiti (66.9%) 12 developed SWVSES EVI score 40% 60% graduation threshold: Comoros (59.7%) Guinea-Bissau (57.4%) Sierra Leone (59.7%) Liberia (55.9%) Eritrea (59.3%) Somalia (55.5%) Vanuatu (59.3%) Equatorial Guinea (53.6%) Samoa (58.9%) Kiribati (45.2%) Timor-Leste (58.2%) Tuvalu (41.4%) 47 developed SWVSEs, 15 land-locked countries, 10 small island States, 22 coastal, continental economies. -group, referred " developed SWVSEs" (group . 4) Table 1, considered . 22 coastal continental, developed SWVSES 42% exposed external shocks -SWVSEs, exports goods services 69% unstable -SWVSEs. 22 LDCs, countries stand highly disadvantaged light exposure index export instability index: Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia. LDCs economically vulnerable, virtue established criteria. conceptually related question LDC status source special support fair basis remedying economic vulnerability specific disadvantage structural weakness context economic smallness. Answering question implies benefits LDC status. Trade preferences Preferential market access regarded significant area concessions LDCs. Significant efforts major trading partners, beginning 2000 decade, improved preferential access important markets LDC products16. accepted exception favoured nation' (MFN) principle multilateral trading system, 16 overview relevant initiatives : UNCTAD, "Main initiatives favour Developed Countries area preferential market access: preliminary impact assessment", Note secretariat, TD//50/5, 7 August 2003, 17 . related issue preference erosion context MFN tariff decreases subsequently analyzed : UNCTAD, "Erosion preferences developed countries: assessment effects mitigating options", Note secretariat, TD//52/4, 4 August 2005, 21 . 15 preferential margins ( cases, difference tariff MFN preferential tariff levels) served compensatory mechanism. provide LDC exporters competitive advantage relevant export markets view alleviating, cost importer, competitive disadvantage exporters face structural economic reasons. competitive disadvantages LDC exporters international markets vary exporting country nature exported products. , , common characteristics disadvantages range products. LDC exporters notably disadvantaged main consequence economic smallness, , inability enjoy economies scale production process / transport stage. , area textiles, small LDC exporter facing Asian competition large export market find difficult achieve maintain profitability, relevant production costs LDC (notably labour costs) higher costs faced larger competitors. gain productivity translate profit quality increases, fuelling virtuous circle competitiveness. LDC exporters generally operate difficult economic environment, limited access technology, financing, insurance, local maintenance repair services. difficulties tend greater, smaller exporting country. result, exporters disadvantaged production level comparison countries. production cost disadvantage, transport cost disadvantage significant (small quantities involving high unit costs transport, notably country land-locked), preferential market access granted virtue LDC status paramount importance LDC exporter. inevitable erosion preferences market access major challenge exporters structurally weak, vulnerable small LDCs, exporters maintain existing economic activities strive seize trading opportunities. Development financing Preferential market access regarded induced structural economic progress developed SWVSEs. Arguably, impact trade preferences compensatory structural17. achieve structural strengthening ( answer structural weakness), multi-faceted investment density economic linkages created. UNCTAD stressed importance developing productive capacities priority avenue durably reducing poverty LDCs. goal equally relevant aim building resilience external shocks context economic smallness LDCs. Resilience-building generally implies widening specialization economy viable diversification, , range efforts create enabling environment investors. Aid, trade-related public investment foreign direct investment (FDI) productive sectors stand vital factors structural transformation 17 issue discussed : UNCTAD, " Developed Country status: effective benefits perspective graduation", Note secretariat, TD//49/7, 1 August 2002, 17 . 16 developed SWVSEs demonstrate prospect diversification. specifically, importance "aid trade" targeted public investment catalysts FDI increasingly recognized sphere international cooperation18. "Aid trade" relevant developed SWVSEs: capacity-building highly disadvantaged handicapped countries ( land-locked developing States), facilitates resilience-building small vulnerable continental island economies exposed external shocks. advisable objectives structural strengthening resilience- building context economic smallness prominence international debate "aid trade". implies, international support measures enhance competitiveness traditional export sectors, capitalizing assets comparative advantages conducive economic activities. , environmental beauty cultural wealth, areas offer economic prospects developed SWVSEs, capitalized relevant capacity-building activities. points important role technical assistance SWVSEs framework international support LDCs. Technical assistance Technical assistance, pillar LDC treatment, important developed SWVSEs aid market access. advisory services sensitization training activities, technical assistance contribute capacity-building significant potential impact scope economic diversification, structural strengthening resilience-building. , technical assistance programme encourage development small medium-sized enterprises area international tourism enhance role sector developed SWVSE contribute lessening dependence commodity exports alleviating economic vulnerability relevant shocks. UNCTAD' implementation enhanced Integrated framework trade-related technical assistance LDCs involve special action support countries, LDCs, economically smaller structurally exposed external economic shocks. 2.3.2 Land-locked SWVSEs 21 land-locked SWVSEs ( colour chart annex), 15 LDCs, -LDCs (Bolivia, Botswana, Mongolia, Paraguay, Swaziland, Zimbabwe). revealed Table 1, exposure shocks correlated poverty land-locked SWVSEs: -LDC, land-locked SWVSEs "exposed" developed, land-locked SWVSEs ( 4%). specifically, -group experiences lesser average geographical remoteness -group ( 13%). summary, figures confirm land-locked 18 heard, , international conference "Afrique-France-Europe: les sentiers de 'avenir" organized Fondation pour 'Innovation Politique Institut Afrique Moderne, Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), 6-7 February 2007. UNCTAD, Developed Countries Report 2006 (pages 207 216), emphasized benefits ODA public investment physical infrastructure interest traders induce LDCs. 17 SWVSEs, land-lockedness structural handicap poor countries poorest countries. , quick magnitude external shocks reveals developed, land-locked SWVSEs severely affected, average, -LDC, land-locked SWVSEs: 8% terms agricultural production instability, 24% terms export earnings instability. Land-locked developing countries (LLDCs), thirds structurally weak, vulnerable small economies, enjoy significant special recognition framework international cooperation. receive special treatment virtue land-lockedness, LDC treatment granted 16 LDCs , ( Ethiopia) regarded SWVSEs. international support LLDCs , Global Framework Transit Transport Cooperation Land-locked Transit Developing Countries, important 21 LLDCs SWVSEs. countries acutely assistance efforts meet formidable competitive challenge faced . UNCTAD' focus trade facilitation electronic commerce importance context. 2.3.3 Small island SWVSEs surprisingly, 29 small island developing States (SIDS) unofficially identified UNCTAD fall implicit category SWVSEs. 10 LDCs 29 SIDS exposed external shocks, remote geographically, 19 -LDC SIDS ( 13% 6%, ). notable magnitude developed SIDS suffered export instability -LDC SIDS decades: 144%. striking aspect international status SIDS contrast substantial international attention countries decades, -total absence international support measures virtue "small islandness" ( World Bank19). World Trade Organization, plea special treatment small vulnerable economies discussed length Doha ministerial conference (2001) triggered establishment work programme small economies. anticipated absence definition implicit category singled Doha, special treatment decided grounds smallness vulnerability, specific benefit SIDS, United Nations denomination WTO refer . United Nations, long-standing call special measures favour SIDS answered context periodic review list LDCs, graduation cases turned developed SIDS. losing LDC status, ( developed) SIDS naturally remain SIDS, denomination based permanent characteristics. Economic vulnerability officially recognized criteria identifying cases addition , graduation , list LDCs. , criterion 19 "small island exception", Word Bank, 20 years, granting maximum concessionary (IDA) treatment small island developing countries risen - income threshold. 18 Table 1 Performance groups "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies" (SWVSEs) United Nations' main indices exposure external shocks (Base 100 = -SWVSE developing countries) Group . Country groups Exposure index Agricultural production instability index Homelessness index Export instability index Remoteness index 1 developed SWVSEs20 153.3 101.2 175.2 180.1 123.3 2 developed, land-locked SWVSEs21 149.0 104.9 138.0 152.5 142.7 3 developed, island SWVSEs22 185.6 121.3 368.2 245.9 126.8 4 devel. SWVSEs23 141.6 89.3 105.4 168.9 108.4 5 land-locked SWVSEs24 150.8 102.7 111.6 143.9 148.8 6 -LDC, land -locked SWVSEs25 155.2 97.3 46.5 122.5 164.0 7 island SWVSEs26 172.9 113.9 215.5 158.8 122.3 8 -LDC, island SWVSEs27 164.4 108.9 113.2 100.8 119.3 9 SWVSEs UN-recognized categories28 155.9 102.4 150.4 157.5 126.0 10 -LDC SWVSEs29 151.2 94.6 65.9 104.5 124.5 11 SWVSEs UN-recognized categories30 139.3 83.2 36.4 102.0 116.6 12 developing countries31 100 100 100 100 100 Source: calculations UNCTAD secretariat, based economic vulnerability data Committee Development Policy (2006) 20 LDCs 2007, Bangladesh, Ethiopia Senegal (47 countries) 21 Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Lao People' Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia (15 countries) 22 Cape Verde, Comoros, Kiribati, Maldives, Samoa, Sao Tome Principe, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Vanuatu (10 countries) 23 Angola, Benin, Cambodia, Congo (Dem. Rep. ), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania (United Republic ), Togo, Yemen (22 countries) 24 Countries mentioned footnotes 21 25 (21 countries) 25 Bolivia, Botswana, Mongolia, Paraguay, Swaziland, Zimbabwe (6 countries) 26 Countries mentioned footnotes 22 27 (29 countries) 27 Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia (Fed. States ), Nauru, Palau, Papua Guinea, St. Kitts Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent Grenadines, Seychelles, Tonga, Trinidad Tobago (19 countries) NB: Marshall Islands, Federated States Micronesia, Nauru Palau, falling group, included calculations relevant data missing. 28 Countries mentioned footnotes 20, 25 27 (72 countries) 29 Countries mentioned footnotes 25, 27 30 (45 countries) 30 Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Congo, Costa Rica, ôte 'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Suriname, Uruguay (20 countries) 31 -SWVSE developing countries: Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Democratic People' Republic ), Korea (Republic ), Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic ), Viet Nam (42 countries, including 3 LDCs) 19 degree prominence consistently called member States UNCTAD. developed SIDS (Cape Verde, Maldives, Samoa) earmarked graduation LDC status recognized United Nations economically highly vulnerable. issue structural weakness economic vulnerability central ongoing debate, United Nations, reform graduation rule. 3. UNCTAD' ongoing prospective work favour SWVSEs highlighted , paramount development goals SWVSEs build economic resilience order reduce exposure external disturbances vulnerable . goal implies realization intermediate objectives related issues structural weakness economic vulnerability: () reducing structural disadvantages, reference handicaps resulting smallness remoteness, implications terms institutional capacity economic efficiency; () enhancing economic specialization, important avenue economic structure country improved time, notably diversification situation economic concentration vulnerable activities. intermediate objectives, depicted flow chart , point number areas action UNCTAD capacity SWVSEs build resilience. section offers overview implied areas UNCTAD action, summarizes scope UNCTAD' technical cooperation SWVSEs lines, envisages informal agenda UNCTAD support SWVSEs. 3.1 Building economic resilience: goal UNCTAD' ambit Helping developing countries reduce structural disadvantages faced enhance economic specialization important dual facet UNCTAD' mandate. notably true regard countries special categories UNCTAD brought baptismal font ( developed countries; land-locked developing countries; island developing countries, subsequently reconsidered "small island developing States"). Supporting SWVSEs lines naturally UNCTAD' ambit. structural handicaps disadvantages UNCTAD SWVSEs overcome twofold: weaknesses institutional capacities, obstacles economic efficiency. common developing countries, disadvantages generally acute countries economically small geographically remote. UNCTAD responds institutional weaknesses multi- faceted action : 20 21 () developing investment policy-related capacities; () facilitating technology transfers making intellectual property rights development tool obstacle; () developing trade policy-related capacities; () supporting developed countries (LDCs) enhancing productive capacities, notably Integrated framework trade-related technical assistance countries; () supporting small island developing States (SIDS) managing economic vulnerability issues; () generating human resource skills sphere trade development. Consistent efforts pursued UNCTAD reduce obstacles economic efficiency developing countries, : () customs modernization; () trade facilitation, area transit transport benefit land-locked developing countries (LLDCs); () promoting information communication technology, including -business. Enhancing economic specialization important tangible objective framework UNCTAD' technical cooperation SWVSEs. range action cited ("reducing structural disadvantages") conducive enhanced specialization UNCTAD' action create competitive enabling environment producers exporters. action geared array economic sectors areas research technical cooperation. Primary sector: () supporting farmer' supply; () facilitating commodity-related information, knowledge management, risk management; () supporting organic agriculture promoting environmental goods services; () supporting compliance sanitary phyto-sanitary standards; () Biotrade biofuels initiatives. Secondary sector: () enhancing enterprise competitiveness promoting entrepreneurship; () strengthening participation developing countries dynamic sectors world trade. Tertiary sector: () developing negotiating capacities field trade services; () supporting small medium-sized enterprises tourism economy (- tourism initiative); () supporting development creative industries. 22 areas action successfully focused developing countries, constitute basis UNCTAD cooperation SWVSEs. details extent cooperation place. 3.2 UNCTAD' technical cooperation SWVSEs UNCTAD, 2003-2006 period, implemented wide range technical cooperation activities benefit 68 developing countries country-specific projects32. thirds (47) beneficiaries countries regarded "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies" (SWVSEs), (52%) relevant total expenditure developing countries benefited 47 SWVSEs, account (51%) entire range SWVSEs highlighted annex note. majority SWVSE beneficiaries (27) LDCs ( land-locked small island States)33, recipient SWVSEs -LDC land-locked developing countries34, -LDC small island developing States35. 20 SWVSEs United Nations-recognized special categories, 10 countries benefited UNCTAD' technical cooperation 2003 2006: Cameroon, Congo, Costa Rica, ôte 'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Honduras, Namibia, Nicaragua. addition country-specific projects underlying statistics, 31 regional projects 110 inter-regional projects implemented 2003-2006 period. estimated range plurilateral projects indirectly benefited SWVSEs. , significance benefits generally debatable technical assistance implemented regional interregional level involves interface small numbers national institutions persons. UNCTAD' impact SWVSEs technical cooperation largely rests implementation country- specific projects. 66 national projects implemented 2003 2006 47 SWVSEs referred . 60% 66 projects benefited developed SWVSEs. summary examination technical cooperation subjects UNCTAD extended support 47 SWVSEs reference period reveals relevant projects crossed small part range action areas UNCTAD capacity serve. SWVSEs effectively benefited UNCTAD' cooperation 24 key subjects interest highlighted flow chart. , distribution expenditure subjects 32 UNCTAD, Trade Development Board, Working Party Medium-term Plan Programme Budget, 49th session, 10-14 September 2007: Review technical cooperation activities UNCTAD, Report Secretary-General UNCTAD, Annex : Review activities undertaken 2006 (TD//WP/195/Add.1); Annex II: Statistical tables (TD//WP/195/Add.2). 33 Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo (Democratic Republic ), Djibouti, Guinea, Haiti, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania (United Republic ), Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia. 34 Bolivia, Botswana, Paraguay, Zimbabwe. 35 Barbados, Mauritius, Papua Guinea, St. Lucia, St. Vincent Grenadines, Trinidad Tobago. 23 uneven, 90% relevant technical cooperation expenses concentrated area, , customs modernization (Asycuda projects). Activities build institutional capacities area investment accounted 5% relevant expenses SWVSEs, subject areas, obvious interest countries, marginally served: support technology transfers; development trade policy-related capacities; trade facilitation; organic agriculture; BioTrade initiative; entrepreneurship enterprise competitiveness. UNCTAD' work research analysis development issues faced LDCs, LLDCs SIDS large extent justice main concerns SWVSEs, fifths pertain officially recognized categories. structural weaknesses vulnerabilities suffered countries recognized analyzed UNCTAD publications technical documents annual Developed Countries Report, vulnerability profiles graduating LDCs triennial review United Nations list LDCs. structural problems 20 SWVSEs United Nations-recognized categories systematically examined UNCTAD. analytical focus economic vulnerability developing countries irrespective categories bring UNCTAD recognize range issues increased attention granted secretariat, ad hoc manner hinting -classification countries. 3.3 informal agenda UNCTAD action favour SWVSEs UNCTAD pursue historical role special support developed countries, land-locked developing countries small island developing States. countries demonstrate common characteristics structural weakness economic vulnerability. accordance ã Paulo Consensus, UNCTAD time pay special attention issues countries fall United Nations-recognized special categories countries. Twenty countries informally identified ( graphic summary annex). Interested member States encouraged conceptualize structural weaknesses vulnerabilities , identify specific areas resilience-building action benefit UNCTAD' support. Subject availability financial technical resources, secretariat respond demand light conceptual framework, focuses reducing structural disadvantages (institutional weakness, lack economic efficiency) enhancing economic specialization. specific focus country' request principle determine desirable organizational arrangements UNCTAD, notably lead entity, envisaged work inter-divisional . Divisions UNCTAD offer direct support SWVSEs virtue intimate knowledge relevant categories -regions (Division Africa, Developed Countries Special Programmes) technical subjects stake (Division Investment, Technology Enterprise Development; Division International Trade Goods Services, Commodities; Division Services Infrastructure Development Trade Efficiency). 24 developed countries, regarded falling unofficial SWVSE category, UNCTAD' analytical work issues structural weakness vulnerability intensified widened mandated focus graduation cases. anticipation relevant country requests, Division Africa, LDCs Special Programmes enhancing updating series country profiles, edition 2008. Land-locked developing countries, LDCs, largely benefit relevant work LDCs. technical focus countries counting UNCTAD' support --transit-related issues-- naturally echoes concerns member States "structural weaknesses". involve structural handicaps, institutional bottlenecks transaction costs, UNCTAD capacity bring responses, essentially technical cooperation. small island developing States, considered structurally weak vulnerable obvious geographical economic reasons, UNCTAD' work geared paramount goal resilience-building, focus reducing structural handicaps enhancing specialization. United Nations-recognized categories, evidently illustrative UNCTAD' ability respond SWVSEs. Intensifying ongoing work area resource implications secretariat. receive issue-specific attention secretariat, SWVSEs United Nations-recognized categories organize requests approaches: () -regionally, special analytical technical insights issues common -regional group needed36; (ii) nationally, individual SWVSEs desirous seeking UNCTAD' direct assistance relevant issues, analytical purposes technical assistance. case, secretariat, subject availability resources, pay due attention articulated. 4. Conclusion problems structural weakness vulnerability issues justified, early 1960s, foundation UNCTAD advocacy policy responses challenges problems. , UNCTAD, 1974 1994, concerns "island developing countries" high international development agenda. sizeable part UNCTAD' analytical work technical assistance activities, intergovernmental work auspices, devoted development issues emanating structural weakness economic vulnerability, principally relation LDC status, land-lockedness, "small islandness". supporting efforts SWVSEs ( explicitly quoting denomination), UNCTAD 36 -groups stand 20 SWVSEs United Nations categories: () Central American Caribbean -group, accounts 20 SWVSEs (Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname); (ii) Africa -group (Cameroon, Congo, ôte 'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia). 25 developed culture advocacy capacity-building addresses specific disadvantages structural weakness vulnerability. SWVSEs benefit generic activities UNCTAD functional pillars: inter-governmental forum consensus-building, institution focusing data collection, research policy analysis, provider technical assistance. Relevant work place Commissions expert group meetings technical assistance programmes. , activities favour SWVSEs included advisory services enhance participation Doha multilateral negotiations; assistance trade policy formulation; numerous applications United Nations' Economic Vulnerability Index -- UNCTAD contributed conceptually statistically-- small vulnerable island LDCs graduation thresholds; training capacity- building activities areas trade negotiations, competition law policy, trade environment. SWVSEs benefited activities aimed improving trade facilitation supporting multimodal transport chains customs modernization. Table 2 lists number specific areas UNCTAD action benefit 37 selected SWVSEs. 26 Table 2 Selected examples UNCTAD action resilience-building 37 "structurally weak, vulnerable small economies" (SWVSEs) Beneficiaries (LDCs bold) Relevant UNCTAD Division Area action Afghanistan SITE * Assistance area multimodal transport trade facilitation Angola DITE SITE * Support development micro-enterprise sector * Science, technology innovation policy review * Support negotiations trade facilitation World Trade Organization Bhutan DITC * Technical assistance preparation, adoption, revision implementation national competition consumer protection legislation policies Bolivia DITC DITE SITE * BioTrade initiative * Technical assistance preparation, adoption, revision implementation national competition consumer protection legislation policies * Support competition law policy Competition Consumer Protection Policies Latin America (COMPAL) programme * Support investment promotion * Capacity-building transit transport facilitation Botswana DITE * Capacity-building investment promotion Cambodia ALDC DITC SITE * Assistance development equity * Institutional capacity-building key issues relating trade environment * Technical assistance preparation, adoption, revision implementation national competition consumer protection legislation policies * Capacity-building multilateral trade negotiations Cape Verde ALDC DITC * Assistance developing "smooth transition" strategy anticipation loss LDC status * Assistance WTO accession Congo SITE * Rail tracker upgrade Costa Rica DITC * Technical assistance preparation, adoption, revision implementation national competition consumer protection legislation policies * Support competition law policy Competition Consumer Protection Policies Latin America (COMPAL) programme * BioTrade initiative Djibouti DITE * Support investment promotion El Salvador DITC * Technical assistance preparation, adoption, revision implementation national competition consumer protection legislation policies * Support competition law policy Competition Consumer Protection Policies Latin America (COMPAL) programme Fiji DITC * Technical assistance developing senile coconut palm wood high quality, added products Ghana DITE * Support investment promotion facilitation Guatemala SITE * Support negotiations trade facilitation World Trade Organization Guinea DITC * Capacity-building greater participation multilateral trade negotiations 27 Beneficiaries (LDCs bold) Relevant UNCTAD Division Area action Haiti ALDC * Institutional capacity-building context Haiti' accession CARICOM Jamaica DITC * Voluntary peer review competition law policy * Technical assistance preparation, adoption, revision implementation national competition consumer protection legislation policies Lao People' Democratic Republic SITE * Capacity-building transit transport facilitation * Capacity-building multilateral trade negotiations Madagascar ALDC * Support economic diversification, special reference environmentally preferable products Maldives ALDC * Assistance developing "smooth transition" strategy anticipation loss LDC status Mauritius DITE * Fiscal incentives review Namibia SITE * Support negotiations trade facilitation World Trade Organization * Capacity-building transit transport facilitation Nepal SITE * Promotion trade transport sectors Nicaragua DITC * Technical assistance preparation, adoption, revision implementation national competition consumer protection legislation policies * Support competition law policy Competition Consumer Protection Policies Latin America (COMPAL) programme Papua Guinea DITC * Technical assistance developing senile coconut palm wood high quality, added products * Assistance trade policy formulation Paraguay SITE * Support negotiations trade facilitation World Trade Organization Rwanda DITE * Investment policy review Samoa ALDC DITC * Assistance developing "smooth transition" strategy anticipation loss LDC status * Technical assistance developing senile coconut palm wood high quality, added products * Technical assistance issues relevant costs compliance agri-food SPS requirements * Assistance WTO accession * Assistance trade policy formulation Solomon Islands DITC * Technical assistance developing senile coconut palm wood high quality, added products * Technical assistance issues relevant costs compliance agri-food SPS requirements St. Lucia ALDC * Assistance enhancing competitiveness manufacturing sector * Human resource development offshore financial sector Tanzania (United Republic ) SITE * Support negotiations trade facilitation World Trade Organization Tonga DITC * Technical assistance developing senile coconut palm wood high quality, added products Trinidad Tobago SITE * Support negotiations trade facilitation World Trade Organization Tuvalu DITC * Technical assistance developing senile coconut palm wood high quality, added products Uganda DITC * BioTrade initiative Vanuatu ALDC * Assistance developing government strategy anticipation 2009 review United Nations list 28 Beneficiaries (LDCs bold) Relevant UNCTAD Division Area action DITC LDCs * Technical assistance developing senile coconut palm wood high quality, added products * Technical assistance issues relevant costs compliance agri-food SPS requirements * Assistance WTO accession Zambia SITE * Support negotiations trade facilitation World Trade Organization * Capacity-building transit transport facilitation ALDC: Division Africa, Developed Countries Special Programmes DITC: Division International Trade Goods Services, Commodities DITE: Division Investment, Technology Enterprise Development SITE: Division Services Infrastructure Development Trade Efficiency NB: Division Globalization Development Strategies (GDS) carried debt management support activities SWVSEs: Bolivia, Burundi, Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic ), Dominican Republic, Gabon, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Sudan, Togo, Trinidad Tobago, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 29 30 31 32