26 June 2008

with the Hon Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance

Australia Doubles Support for Developing Country Capacity Building at the WTO

Australia will double its annual assistance to developing country capacity building at the World Trade Organization, Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, announced today.

The Australian Government, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), will provide $1 million to boost the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund, up from $500,000 last year

The Fund helps some of the world’s least developed countries to take part in and benefit from the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations.

“As a strong and effective rules-based organisation, the WTO continues to attract membership,” said Mr Crean. “It’s in our interest to strengthen that unique structure. The fact that countries continue to want to join the WTO is recognition of the value of our efforts and underlines the importance of securing progress in the current round of world trade talks.”

He said “the aid would help developing countries become active participants in and reap the full benefits from the multilateral trading system”.

Mr Crean said “the Australian Government is committed to the successful conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations this year.”

Mr McMullan said the increase would take Australia’s total contribution to the fund since 2002 to almost $4 million.

“This underlines the Australian Government’s commitment to the eradication of poverty and hunger and to improving prosperity through reform of the global trading system,” Mr McMullan said.

“We hope that our contribution will encourage the WTO to work closely with our development partners in Asia and, in particular, the Pacific Islands, which face unique challenges because of their small size and remoteness from global markets,” Mr McMullan said.

Australia will provide over $300 million this year in aid for trade, and is committed to helping partners in the region overcome barriers that limit their ability to participate in and benefit from global trade.

Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555