A two day training conducted by the World Trade Organization (WTO) was concluded yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Conference room.

The training which went along with the opening of a WTO funded Reference Center (RC) for the country was to enable Government and Non Government Officials to obtain trade-related information resources on the WTO web site, in electronic versions on CD-ROMs, as well as trade-related publications, and to facilitate access to and use of eLearning programs of the WTO.

Facilitated by Dr Luanga Mukela Faustin of the WTO, the training also focused on accessing WTO information resources, including tariff profiles and commitments of WTO Members, reports of WTO bodies and an introduction to the Integrated Data Base (IDB) and Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) database.

Participants to the training also received hands-on training on information management techniques to assist them in better organizing and providing access to WTO information resources.

The two day training was attended by senior officials from the Government ministries and Non Government organizations.

At the end of the training, the participants indicated that they had gained a comprehensive understanding of the WTO and the Reference Centre Program, on their roles and how they function.

The training followed the opening of the country’s Reference Center on Tuesday.
The reference which center consists of three computers and printers will serve as an interface between the WTO and the Ministry, and will be accessible to the general public.

The WTO Reference Centers (RC) Program enables the beneficiary countries to have in their ministries or regional organizations or secretariats, a regular, updated, direct and privileged link to the WTO headquarters in Geneva.

Press Release: GCU