Ms. Sydnes has informed us that the Government will propose to the Storting that Norway should grant duty-free and quota-free market access for all products from the least developed countries (LDCs), with the exception of weapons. Norway will implement this tariff regime for all products from 1 July 2002. By making this decision, Norway goes further than the EU, since the corresponding EU regime contains interim provisions which will be gradually phased out by 2009.

"It really is about time that we took the demands of the least developed countries for market access seriously. I hope that over time this will lead to a significant increase in our imports from these countries," said Ms. Sydnes. At the same time she pointed out that trade policy is just part of the government’s overall LDC policy. Market access alone is not the whole answer. "We must also work with our partner countries to develop their business and industry in such a way that they will actually be able to take advantage of this market access."

Market access for export products from the least developed countries is essential if these countries are to achieve economic growth. Ms. Sydnes thus places considerable emphasis on Norway’s decision, which she hopes will be emulated by other industrialized countries at the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in May. Norway’s aim in the long term is to create a predictable framework for the LDCs by making market access binding in the World Trade Organization.

Head of Information Jon Mørland, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tel: 22 24 39 11.

E-mail: jon@mfa.no