According to the UN, their share in the global merchandise trade rose from 0.62 per cent in 2002 to 1.08 per cent in 2008, with exports destined equally to developed and developing countries.1 To promote economic growth and industrialization, LDCs require the support of schemes that facilitate access of their exports to new markets and provide stable sources of development financing. A primary benefit low-income countries derive from their inclusion in the LDC category is access to special support measures from bilateral donors and multilateral organizations, as well as preferential treatment in multilateral and regional trade agreements they participate in. Mainly, LDCs receive support in the areas of international trade - through preferential market access, special treatment in their obligations before the World Trade Organization (WTO) and support in developing capacity in trade-related matters - and of official development assistance (ODA), which can be provided through development financing or technical cooperation.