France releases second WTO fund instalment for trade support
The funds support the French-Irish Mission Programme, the WTO Chairs Programme, and the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), which collectively aim to enhance trade policy implementation, WTO said in a release.
'Given the pace of changes we are experiencing in trade, the value of technical assistance is more important than ever. With France's targeted support, these programmes continue to make significant contributions to developing economies by providing hands-on experience at the WTO, facilitating practical projects and establishing sustainable systems to help government officials tackle complex new areas with the help of academia,' said Deputy Director-General Zhang.
The French-Irish Mission Programme, jointly backed by France and Ireland, will receive €900,000 (CHF 870,000) to finance the placement of officials from developing and least developed nations at permanent missions in Geneva.
The WTO Chairs Programme is set to receive €550,000 (CHF 530,000) to support academic institutions in WTO member and observer countries through research, curriculum development, and outreach in trade policy.
The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) will benefit from €500,000 (CHF 480,000) to assist these economies. The funding aligns with the STDF Strategy for 2025–2030, aimed at strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary capacities.
"Technical assistance is an important part of the WTO – it increases the number of people who are able to participate in the multilateral trading system and ultimately reap its benefits. France is proud to support the French-Irish Mission Programme, the WTO Chairs Programme and the Standards and Trade Development Facility, especially in these difficult times when resources are increasingly difficult to mobilise and when the multilateral system is under strain,' said France's WTO Ambassador Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand.
France's latest contribution adds to its longstanding support for WTO development goals, bringing its total funding to WTO trust funds to over €34 million (~$38.6 million) in the past two decades.
France has released CHF 1.7 million (~$6.82 million) WTO pledge to support trade capacity in developing countries. The funds back the French-Irish Mission, WTO Chairs, and STDF programmes, aiming to enhance trade skills, academic expertise, and compliance with global standards. France's total WTO support now exceeds €34 million (~$38.6 million).
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
11 hours ago
- Pink Villa
How much is Bryan Mbeumo going to earn at Manchester United? EXPLAINED
With a 71-million-euro move to Manchester United, Bryan Mbeumo is making headlines for both his transfer fee and upcoming paycheck. The 25-year-old forward has earned a reputation for clinical finishing and will now see that reflected in his bank account. United's five-year deal guarantees him a wage that places him among the club's top earners. Here's a breakdown of exactly what Mbeumo will take home, along with the expectations that come with his extremely lucrative contract. Mbeumo's big leap: New money, new club Bryan Mbeumo's journey from Ligue 2 prospect to Premier League star has certainly hit a major milestone. His decision to prioritize MUFC over Tottenham, Arsenal, and Newcastle has paid off in more ways than one. Beyond a spot in Ruben Amorim's reshaped attack, Mbeumo is also walking into a major wage upgrade. According to the Daily Express, he will earn EUR 150,000 per week on a five-year deal, pushing his annual salary to roughly EUR 7.8 million before bonuses. From bargain buy to EUR 71M headline signing In 2019, Brentford paid just EUR 5.8 million to sign Mbeumo from French club Troyes. Over six seasons, he delivered 70 goals in 242 appearances, including 20 in the 2024-25 campaign alone. His growth was steady, not explosive, but it made him a Premier League regular. Last year, he bounced back from ankle surgery and finished as Brentford's top scorer. That return to form sealed interest from top clubs, but Mbeumo had already informed Brentford he'd only leave for United. What United are getting for the money Mbeumo is expected to slot into one of the No.10 roles in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, offering cutting runs, link-up play, and a proven eye for goal. He also brings durability, having missed just 16 league matches in four seasons, and a near-perfect penalty record. For United, his arrival fills a desperate need— they managed just 44 league goals last season, their worst ever Premier League tally. For Mbeumo, it's the financial and footballing leap he's worked years to earn.
The Print
11 hours ago
- The Print
India, US teams conclude fifth round of talks for proposed trade pact: Official
The negotiations were held for four days (July 14-17) in Washington. New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) India and the US teams have concluded the fifth round of talks for the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in Washington on July 17, an official said. India's chief negotiator and special secretary in the department of commerce Rajesh Agrawal leads the team for negotiations. These deliberations are important as both sides are looking at finalising an interim trade deal before August 1, which marks the end of the suspension period of the Trump tariffs imposed on dozens of countries including India (26 per cent). On April 2 this year, US President Donald Trump announced these high reciprocal tariffs. The implementation of high tariff was immediately suspended for 90 days till July 9 and later till August 1 as America is negotiating trade deals with a number of countries. Issues related to agriculture and automobiles are learnt to have figured during the fifth round of negotiations. Matters related to ways to deal with non-market economies, and SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies) also came up for discussions. India has hardened its position on the US demand for duty concessions on agri and dairy products. New Delhi has, so far, not given any duty concessions to any of its trading partners in a free trade agreement in the dairy sector. Certain farmers' associations have urged the government not to include any issues related to agriculture in the trade pact. India is seeking the removal of this additional tariff (26 per cent). It is also seeking the easing of tariffs on steel and aluminium (50 per cent) and the auto (25 per cent) sectors. Against these, India has reserved its right under the WTO (World Trade Organization) norms to impose retaliatory duties. The country is also seeking duty concessions for labour-intensive sectors, such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather goods, garments, plastics, chemicals, shrimp, oil seeds, grapes, and bananas in the proposed trade pact. On the other hand, the US wants duty concessions on certain industrial goods, automobiles, especially electric vehicles, wines, petrochemical products, and agri goods, dairy items, apples, tree nuts, and genetically modified crops. The two countries are looking to conclude talks for the first tranche of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by fall (September-October) this year. Before that, they are looking for an interim trade pact. India's merchandise exports to the US rose 22.8 per cent to USD 25.51 billion in April-June quarter this fiscal year, while imports rose 11.68 per cent to USD 12.86 billion. PTI RR HVA This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Economic Times
RRP Defence partners with French firm CYGR to set up drone manufacturing plant
TIL Creatives AI generated image RRP Defence on Saturday announced that it has partnered with French firm CYGR to set up a drone manufacturing facility in India at an initial investment of around USD 50 million (around Rs 430 crore). This partnership aims to deliver advanced drone systems designed for tactical, surveillance, and industrial use, leveraging French-American technology and Indian manufacturing capability, the RRP group company said in a statement. The two companies are expected to invest USD 50 million initially in the facility, which will be scaled up to USD 100 million later, RRP Defence Chairman Rajendra Chodankar said. The facility, to be located in Navi Mumbai, will support the production of next-generation drones, including nano drones, ISR drones, and hand-launched fixed-wing drones. The focus would be on defence, homeland security, and industrial drone solutions, it said, adding that the plant would contribute to India's high-skill employment and aerospace exports. "By combining our local manufacturing strength and field understanding with CYGR's world-class drone technologies, we are building systems that meet India's unique operational needs," Chodankar said."Through this collaboration with RRP Defence Ltd, we are not only transferring technology, but also co-developing future-ready solutions that support India's defence and surveillance landscape," CYGR France Director George El Aily said.
