   
  
PRESS/ 899 
 
4 March 2022  
(22-2008) Page: 1/1 
    
 
 
PRESS RELEASE  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
Japan provides CHF 160,000 to strengthen developing countries' 
trade skills  
Japan has contributed over CHF 160,000 in 2022 to help developing countries and least -developed 
countries (LDCs) improve their capacity to trade. The contribution to the WTO’s Global Trust Fund 
will finance training workshops aimed at helping government of ficials improve their negotiating 
capacities  and better implement WTO agreements.  
 
Over 2,900 activities have taken place since the fund was created in 2001.  
 
"I thank Japan for its generous contribution to the Global Trust Fund. This new support will hel p 
developing countries and LDCs extend their expertise in formulating and implementing trade 
policies," said Director -General Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala. " It will also assist them in gaining access to 
global export markets and using trade to drive economic growth  and job creation."  
 
Japan's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki , said: "The 
global economy and the trading environment have been rapidly changing  due to pressing external 
challenges, including the COVID -19 pandemic and climate change. To better adapt  to the new 
circumstances, WTO members need to find solutions in a wide range of areas, from health to e -
commerce, through inclusive negotiations and discussions. To this end, we strongly hope that the 
WTO Global Trust Fund will further help developing countries and LDCs to contribute to the current 
and future work at the WTO. We also believe that the fund will play an essential role  to further assist 
these countries to better understand and implement WTO agreements so that they can gain even 
greater benefit s from the multilateral trading system."  
 
Overall, Japan has contributed over CHF 11.5 million to the various WTO trust funds over 20 
years.  
 
 
END 