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Integrated Framework

The Integrated Framework (IF) for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to least-developed countries (LDCs) is a multi-agency, multi-donor program that assists the LDCs to expand their participation in the global economy through enhancing their economic growth and poverty reduction strategies. The IF program was first mandated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Singapore Ministerial Conference in December 1996.

The participating agencies are the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Centre for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank (WB), and the WTO.

In response to the complexity of LDC's trade-related problems, the IF was inaugurated in October 1997 at the WTO High Level Meeting on Integrated Initiatives for LDC's Trade Development by the above six multilateral institutions which, with each of their distinct competences, could complement each other to deliver greater development dividends to LDCs in the multilateral trading system.

The Heads of Agency met in July 2000 to review the IF process and recommended several initiatives to enhance its effectiveness. As a result the IF was revamped.

The IF has two objectives:

• (i) to "mainstream" (integrated) trade into the national development plans such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) of LDCs, and
• (ii) to assist in the co-ordinated delivery of trade-related technical assistance in response to needs identified by the LDCs.

The IF is built on the principles of country ownership and partnership, an area in which DFID supports throughout its country programmes.

Other key elements for the revamped IF are:

• (i) improved governance structure with the establishment of the Integrated Framework Steering Committee (IFSC) and the expanded IF Working Group (IFWG) for better coordination amongst donors, beneficiary LDCs and the agencies;
• (ii) the establishment of the IF Trust Fund, which finances mainstreaming work, led by the World Bank but also follow-up activities from the studies, and
• (iii) improved coordination of the delivery of trade-related technical assistance amongst bilateral and multilateral donors within a coherent policy framework.

Last updated: 4 October 2005

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