Norway’s contribution is being announced today at the WTO Pledging Conference in Geneva. Norway will contribute NOK 6 million to the Trust Fund this year, and has announced that, subject to the approval of the Storting, similar amounts will be allocated for the next two years to ensure more long-term planning and predictability in the WTO’s technical assistance. Today’s Pledging Conference is an important step in following up the development dimension of the Doha Ministerial Declaration.

"This contribution demonstrates the importance Norway attaches to integrating the developing countries, and particularly the least developed countries, better into the multilateral trading system", said Minister of International Development Hilde Frafjord Johnsen.

"Norway’s contribution of NOK 6 million, together with contributions from other members, will assist developing countries to implement the WTO agreement in their national legislation. The fund will also be used to help developing countries become more familiar with the multilateral trade rules so that they are able to promote their interests in the ongoing WTO negotiations", said the minister. "The developing countries also need technical assistance to enable them to produce goods for export that satisfy the importing countries’ requirements as regards health, environment and safety", said Ms Johnson.