Perspectives on Aid for Trade

Abstract

Aid for Trade (AfT) did not feature in the WTO Doha Ministerial Declaration in 2001 that launched the Doha Development Agenda, now often referred to as the Doha Round. It therefore falls outside the negotiating mandate that was agreed at Doha. However, as the negotiations progressed, it became clear that a major effort was required to provide assistance not only to build trade capacity to help poor countries take advantage of improved market access from a more developmentally-oriented Doha Round agreement but also to address supply side constraints and adjustment costs. To this extent it was understood from the start that AfT is a complement and not a substitute for new, fairer, trade rules.