From Inequality and Vulnerability
to Prosperity for All

  1. Least developed countries

Supporting the least developed countries in tackling constraints to trade.

UNCTAD provides multilateral technical cooperation through the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a multi-donor programme, that assists the least developed countries (LDCs) in their efforts to build productive capacities and play a more active role in the global trading system.

The EIF is supported by six core partner agencies, namely UNCTAD, ITC, UNDP, the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO. UNIDO and the UNWTO participate as observer agencies.

The main objectives of the EIF are to:

  • Mainstream trade into national development strategies.

  • Establish national structures to coordinate the delivery of trade-related technical assistance.

  • Build capacity to trade, which also includes addressing critical supply-side constraints.

News

Forum highlights ‘inclusive trade’ for world’s poorest countries
With a share of global trade of less than 1%, fresh ideas are needed to bring the world’s poorest countries into the international trading system.
 
Trade Facilitation, Transport and transit in West Africa
In collaboration with the Academy of Global Governance, European University Institute (EUI) and with the participation of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Secretariat, UNCTAD organized a sub-regional workshop on 11-12 May 2016, in Florence, Italy, on how to build coordination in the implementation of the Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies' (DTIS) Action Matrices on trade facilitation, transport and transit for West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger).
 
Benin Enhanced Integrated Framework Tier II project to strengthen trade and productive capacities goes operational
The government of Benin has begun implementing a Tier II project on Strengthening Productive and Trade Capacities of Benin, under the aegis of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) of which UNCTAD plays an active role. The implementation phase was launched in Benin's seat of government, Cotonou, at a ceremony on 11 June 2015.
 
Mali validates updated Diagnostic Trade Integration Study
In Bamako, Mali, representatives from the government, the private sector, international organizations, academia and the civil society validated an UNCTAD-led update of the country's Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) during a two-day workshop on 2-3 April 2015.