Japan has donated CHF 395,604 to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund which brings its total contribution to CHF 9.1 million.

This donation will finance technical assistance programmes and training activities for developing and least developed countries.

The aim is to better adapt their practices and laws to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and disciplines, improve the implementation of their obligations and enhance the exercise of their membership rights.

This was contained in a press statement by the WTO on Saturday made available to the Ghana News Agency.

“I welcome Japan’s contribution that will allow developing countries to expand their markets, find new trading partners and better integrate into the global economy,” the statement quoted Pascal Lamy, WTO Director-General as saying.

Yoichi Otabe, Japan’s Ambassador to the WTO, said Japan would continue to support developing and least-developed countries to better understand the WTO rules to expand their trading activities.

“Trade can be used as a tool for growth, development and poverty reduction and trade is a crucial instrument today given the troubled times we are facing today,” the statement said.