The World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched a new phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a program of support for the poorest countries on trade issues. The first phase of the program ran from 2010 to 2015 and a new phase was launched on 1 July 2015 under the banner of “Trade for LDC Development”. Phase Two is to run from 2016 to 2020 and will continue to help less developed countries (LDCs) achieve sustainable development.

The EIF aims to support LDCs as they use trade as a tool for achieving economic growth. With a focus on LDCs and a partnership approach the EIF looks for a sustainable impact on growth. The program has benefited more than fifty countries and has supported more than forty analytical studies to identify the main barriers to trade for LDCs as well as a number of projects aiming to build up capacity in trade policy. A comprehensive independent evaluation has been performed on the first phase of the program and this has highlighted further areas where efficiency can be strengthened.