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Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) & Processed Goods

As the name implies NAMA refers to manufactured goods, although it does include fisheries too. The mandate of the Doha Development Agenda requires particular attention is paid to products that are of export interest to developing countries - to help them trade their way out of poverty. This means improvement in access of developing countries to rich countries' markets, as well as securing better market access between developing countries too. South-South trade already accounts for 40% of some developing countries exports.

On NAMA, the Doha Mandate requires particular attention to be given to products of export interest to developing countries. A positive outcome would help developing countries trade their way out of poverty. This would mean significantly improved access to developed country markets as well as improved access to those of other developing countries. This will provide an important stimulus to trade between developing countries that already account for an increasing proportion - some 40%- of developing countries' trade in manufactured goods.

• To enable access to European Union (EU) markets for processed goods, the Doha Mandate requires World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations to reduce or eliminate tariff escalation in non-agricultural products.
• Tariff escalation occurs when the tariff levels increase with the level of processing.
• Escalation in developed country markets can discourage production of more processed varieties of a particular product in developing countries.
• Tackling tariff escalation through the WTO negotiations, with particular attention given to products of export interest to developing countries, should help to partly address this.
• DFID is working closely with partner governments in developing countries to address these and other issues to help developing countries make the most out of trading opportunities.

At the same time, however, developing countries will also need to address supply side constraints that adversely affect their exports. These include inefficient customs procedures, lack of manufacturing capacity, and inappropriate technology - all of which adversely impact on a country's competitiveness and trading capacity. DFID is working closely with partner Governments in developing countries to address these and other issues to help developing countries make the most out of trading opportunities.

Last updated: 4 October 2005

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