History of EIF
The Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance for Least- Developed Countries – IF) was initially established at the WTO's High-Level Meeting on Integrated Initiatives for Least-Developed Countries' Trade Development held at the WTO Office in Geneva from 27th to 28th October 1997 with the objective of supporting least developed countries (LDCs) to better integrate into the global trading system and to make trade a driver for development.
The member Ministers agreed at its 6th Ministerial Conference held at Hong Kong (China) in December 2005 to restructure the program and endow it with additional resources and the task force recommended the Integrated Framework programme (IF Programme) that was supporting trade-related technical assistance to LDCs to revamp and enhance to Enhanced Integrated Framework. In line with the Brussels Programme of Action, there has been significant work undertaken to create a more results-focused, accountable and responsive EIF programme. EIF Phase One ended in December 2015 and based on the findings of an independent evaluation of Phase One, the EIF Steering Committee endorsed the EIF Board's recommendation to extend the EIF programme into Phase Two (2016-2022).
The EIF process aims to strengthen donor's support to a country's trade agenda. LDCs can use the EIF as a vehicle to assist in coordinating donor support and to lever more Aid for Trade resources, whereas donors can sign up to the EIF as a vehicle to deliver on their Aid for Trade commitments.
Aims of EIF
The EIF creates a genuine partnership among donors, six core partner agencies, observer agencies, the Executive Secretariat (ES) and the Trust Fund Manager (TFM) and other development partners who are supporting LDCs' own drive to:
Mainstream trade into national development strategies
Set up structures needed to coordinate the delivery of trade-related technical assistance
Build capacity to trade, which also includes addressing critical supply-side constraints.
“EIF Programme which is delivering Development Assistance”
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Programme works in of the following three stages:
(A) Pre Diagnostic Trade Integration Study – Pre-DTIS Stage
(B) Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) and Action Matrix Stage
(C) Implementation Stage (Tier-1 Stage)
(D) Implementation Stage (Tier-2 Stage)
The implementation of Pre- DTIS stage has finished in 2014. At present, Ministry of Commerce is implementing DTIS and Action Matrix Stage under EIF programme by commissioning World Bank as the Main Implementing Entity to conduct the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS).
The World Bank is preparing to the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study – DTIS and it is expected to identify the DTIS and its accompanying Action Matrix by March 2016.