EIF-Nepal NECTRADE Newsletter: January- June 2014

Geneva, 05 December 2013

Sweden is for 2014 pledging USD 3 million to the Enhanced Integrate Framework (EIF), through its development agency Sida. The funds will be used for the implementation of trade facilitation projects, among others. “Sweden has supported EIF since the pledging conference in Stockholm 2007. EIF’s focus on the least developed countries makes it a well-suited channel for demand-driven trade facilitation initiatives that can enhance trade and economic growth ”, said Dr. Ewa Björling, Sweden’s Minister of Trade.

Geneva, 10 October 2013

During the 70th Session of the WTO Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) - held today in Geneva – WTO Member states officially welcomed the new EIF Executive Director Dr. Ratnakar Adhikari and expressed their deep appreciation to the outgoing Executive Director, Ms Dorothy Tembo for the leadership she provided to the programme, which started and fortified under her 5- year tenure.

Geneva, 17 December 2013

The EIF Executive Board, comprised of representatives of LDCs, donors and partner agencies, has accepted today the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as new observer agency to the EIF.  The UNWTO becomes the eighth organization to join the partnership, and the second being granted an observer status.

Geneva, 22 August 2013

His Excellency Minelik Alemu Getahun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN Office in Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland in his capacity as Chair of the Enhanced Integrated Framework Board and following the WTO Director-General’s conclusion of the selection process, has announced the appointment of Dr Ratnakar Adhikari as the Executive Director of the Executive Secretariat for the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) replacing Mrs Dorothy Tembo whose tenure comes to an end on 31st October 2013.