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<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=Edge"> <script language="Javascript1.2" src="/library/rollovertips.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" src="/library/imrdlib.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="description" content="WTO - TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: WTO reference centres (RFCs) - The WTO Reference Centres (RFCs) aim at facilitating the access to, the retrieval and analysis of trade-related information, and enabling the recipient organisations to take informed position and decisions on MTS-related issues."> <meta name="keywords" content="WTO reference centres, www.wto.org, World Trade Organization, world trade, trade disputes, ministerial, WTO publications, intellectual property, government procurement, goods, services, economic research, Statistics, OMC, about the WTO, trade, agriculture, textiles, services, intellectual property, anti-dumping, subsidies, environment, investment, research and analysis, international trade, trade topics, principles of the trading system"> <title>WTO | Development - ITTC - WTO reference centres (RFCs)</title> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/wtomenus/jquery.min.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" src="/library/wtomenus/jkmegamenu.js" type="text/javascript"> /** jQuery Mega Menu- Visit JavaScript Kit at http://www.javascriptkit.com/ for full source code **/ </script> <script language="javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/wtomenus/common_data_e.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/countrylib.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/photo_gallery/photo_gallery_code.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/news/news_vars_e.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript"> // load photo gallery & news items for this year & last year var now = new Date(); document.write("<script language=\"Javascript1.2\" type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"/library/photo_gallery/photo_gallery_" + (now.getFullYear()-1) + ".js\"><\/script>"); document.write("<script language=\"Javascript1.2\" type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"/library/photo_gallery/photo_gallery_" + now.getFullYear() + ".js\"><\/script>"); document.write("<script language=\"Javascript1.2\" type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"/library/news/news_" + (now.getFullYear()-1) + "_e.js\"><\/script>"); document.write("<script language=\"Javascript1.2\" type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"/library/news/news_" + now.getFullYear() + "_e.js\"><\/script>"); </script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/news/current_news_e.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/news/news_code_e.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/flashvideo/flash_video_e.js"></script> <script language="Javascript1.2" type="text/javascript" src="/library/flashvideo/flash_video_code.js"></script>  <meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en">  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/library/styles/tratop_styles.css">  <script language="JavaScript1.2" type="text/javascript">  </script> </head>  <body link="#808080" vlink="#808080">  <div id="page" class="pagestyle" >  <div id="banner"> <noscript><h1>WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION</h1> <p class="menudefaulttext"><a href="http://www.wto.org/index.htm" class="menudefaulttext">Home</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/thewto_e.htm" class="menudefaulttext">About WTO</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm" class="menudefaulttext">News & events</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tratop_e.htm" class="menudefaulttext">Trade topics</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm" class="menudefaulttext">WTO membership</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/res_e.htm" class="menudefaulttext">Documents & resources</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/forums_e.htm" class="menudefaulttext">External relations</a></p> <p class="bannertoptext"><a href="http://www.wto.org/english/info_e/cont_e.htm" class="bannertoptext">Contact us</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/info_e/site2_e.htm" class="bannertoptext">Site map</a>  |  <a href="http://www.wto.org/english/info_e/site_e.htm" class="bannertoptext">A-Z</a>  |  <a href="http://search.wto.org/search?site=English_website&proxystylesheet=english_frontend&output=xml_no_dtd&client=english_frontend&proxycustom=%3CADVANCED/%3E&numgm=5" class="bannertoptext">Search</a></p></noscript> </div>   <div id="mainContainer"> <a name="skip" id="skip"></a><noscript> <p class="menulanguagetext" align="right"> <img border="0" src="/images/img24high.gif" width="1" height="24"> <a class="menulanguagetext" href="/spanish/tratop_s/devel_s/train_s/ref_centres_s.htm">espa駉l</a>  <a class="menulanguagetext" href="/french/tratop_f/devel_f/train_f/ref_centres_f.htm">fran鏰is</a></p></noscript><div id="breadcrumbsDiv"><ol><li><a href="../../../../index.htm">home</a></li><li><a href="../../tratop_e.htm">trade topics</a></li><li><a href="../teccop_e/tct_e.htm">trta</a></li><li><span>reference centres</span></li></ol></div> <div class="introDiv"> <div class="introImgDiv"><a href="/english/tratop_e/devel_e/teccop_e/tct_e.htm" onMouseOver="writetxt('Click to go back to the TRTA gateway')" data-content="Click to go back to the TRTA gateway" data-toggle="tooltip" onMouseOut="writetxt(0)"><img src="/images/img_logos/rfc.png" alt="" width="100%" border="0" /></a></div> <div class="introTextDiv"> <p align="left" class="kickertext"><strong>TRTA: </strong>REFERENCE CENTRES PROGRAMME </p> <h1>Reference Centres Programme</h1> <p class="paralargetext">The general objective of the WTO Reference Centre Programme is to enable government officials, private sector and academic institutions, and the general public in beneficiary countries to access and utilize trade-related, information-technology resources made available by the WTO with a view to raising awareness and disseminating information on WTO matters among national stakeholders. To this end, the WTO provides training (especially to RC managers) on the use of its databases, document search facilities and IT resources.  Within budgetary possibilities the WTO also donates to Least-Developed Countries the necessary equipment for the operation of the Reference Centres. There are currently over 100 active Reference Centres around the world.</p> <p class="paralargetext" align="right">> <a href="/english/tratop_e/devel_e/train_e/rc_contacts_details.pdf" target="_blank" class="paralargecolourtext"> Reference Centre contact details</a></span></p></div></div> <div class="mainDiv"> <div class="leftCol"> <p align="right"><span class="parasmalltext"><span class="parasmallboldcolourtext">Contact</span>:  For any additional information on the Reference Centres Programme, please contact the ITTC at: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d087849f82b5b6b5a2b5beb3b593b5bea4b5a2a390a7a4bffebfa2b7" class="parasmallcolourtext"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="66313229340300031403080503250308120314152611120948091401">[email protected]</span></a></span> <p align="right" class="parasmallcolourtext"></p> <p align="right" class="parasmallcolourtext"></p></div> <div class="centerCol"> <p align="left" class="subtitlecolourtext" dir="ltr"><a name="news" id="news"></a>News <a href="#top" class="backToTop"> back to top</a> </p> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script language="JavaScript1.2" type="text/javascript">  </script> <p class="paranormaltext">  </p> <h2 id="background">Background</h2> <p>More than being Centres where trade-related research is facilitated and supported, the Reference Centres organize and coordinate training activities, and subject to space capacity, host technical meetings and other trade-related events. Furthermore, Reference Centres also aim at enhancing their training role by contributing to the participation of trade officials and university lecturers in the WTO eLearning courses (WTO ECAMPUS) as an effective means of preparing participants prior to face-to-face training. <span class="parasmallboldcolourtext" id="table1_more" onclick="showText('table1_text', 'table1_more')" onMouseOver="falseLink('table1_more')" onMouseOut="endFalseLink('table1_more')"><u>More </u></span> </p> </p> <div id="table1_text" style="display:none "> <p>Moreover, the beneficiary institution designates a coordinator(s) for the WTO Reference Centre, who is in charge of the routine operation of the Centre.  The managers of the Reference Centres play a fundamental role in ensuring that, with the institutional support of the host agency, Reference Centres meet their objectives and efficiently perform a visible and relevant role within the national trade community.  </p> <p>The beneficiary institution undertakes the commitment to provide appropriate office space and infrastructure for the physical location of the Reference Centre, including book shelves, electrical connections, a dedicated telephone line and internet connection, as well as ensuring the open access and use of the Reference Centre by users.  </p> <p>The main beneficiaries under the RC programme are primarily Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Sub-Saharan African Countries, and non-resident countries. RCs can also be established in regional/sub regional organizations so as to intensify the cooperation with agencies.  RCs can be established at the level of the government, i.e. at a Ministry, but also at universities or organized business communities (e.g. Chamber of Commerce).  </p> <p>In order to benefit from the RC programme, requests must be submitted through the relevant government institution (e.g. Permanent Missions to the WTO) through the dedicated form which is used by Members and Observers to request national technical assistance and training activities, and available <a href="https://wto.formstack.com/forms/national_ta_requests" class="paracolourtext" target="_blank">electronically</a>.</p><span class="parasmallboldcolourtext" id="table1_less" onClick="hideText('table1_text', 'table1_more')" onMouseOver="falseLink('table1_less')" onMouseOut="endFalseLink('table1_less')"><u>Hide details</u></span> </div> <p> </p> <a href="#top" class="backToTop"> back to top</a><h2><strong><a name="revised" id="revised"></a>A revised approach</strong> </h2> <p>While the Reference Centre provides a physical WTO presence in the country,  the number of Centres have become increasingly difficult to manage. Also, with the rapid evolution in technological developments and innovations, the requirements related to maintaining, servicing and updating the equipment, are become increasingly challenging. In addition, there continues to be demand for the establishment of new RCs, challenging human resource constraints of the Secretariat. </p> <p>A new strategy regarding the installation and operation of RCs and the overall functioning of the programme will focus on a targeted group of beneficiary countries, namely those which submitted their 2013 Annual Report of Activities. <span class="parasmallboldcolourtext" id="table2_more" onclick="showText('table2_text', 'table2_more')" onMouseOver="falseLink('table2_more')" onMouseOut="endFalseLink('table2_more')"><u>More </u></span> </p> </p> </p> <div id="table2_text" style="display:none ">  This strategy is aimed at enhancing the quality of the interaction between the WTO Secretariat and the Reference Centres within a manageable set of countries.  The WTO Secretariat will also seek to promote interaction among Reference Centres.</p> <p>The WTO Secretariat intends to implement an interactive programme by:</p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Organizing periodic events through IT means (e.g. Skype) addressing relevant subjects;</li> <li>Systematically inviting RCs to contribute to WTO-sponsored initiatives (e.g. A4T); </li> <li>Involving RCs in the implementation of national activities as hosts or co-organizers, when pertinent;</li> <li>For developing countries, organizing regional back-to-back, training missions to establish/upgrade Reference Centres in developing countries; </li> <li>Transmitting periodic publications for information and dissemination purposes.</li> <li>Coordinating with other international agencies (e.g. International Trade Centre–ITC) possible implementation of joint RC activities.</li> </ul> <span class="parasmallboldcolourtext" id="table2_less" onClick="hideText('table2_text', 'table2_more')" onMouseOver="falseLink('table2_less')" onMouseOut="endFalseLink('table2_less')"><u>Hide details</u></span> </div> <p> </p> <a href="#top" class="backToTop"> back to top</a><h2><strong><a name="reporting" id="reporting"></a>Reporting</strong> </h2> <p>Starting in 2015, Reference Centres will be requested to submit two semi-annual reports instead of one annual report. The reporting template has been simplified to facilitate this.  The RC programme is implemented and monitored on the basis of objectives and indicators established in the WTO Technical Assistance and Training Plan following a results-based-management approach (RBM). This requires Reference Centres to operate and report on indicators, as described in the <a href="javascript:openAPopup('/english/tratop_e/devel_e/train_e/tablerc_e.htm','links',820,525,1)" class="paracolourtext">table</a>. </p> <p> </p> <a href="#top" class="backToTop"> back to top</a><h2><strong><a name="equipement" id="equipement"></a>Equipment and software</strong> </h2> <p>RCs in LDCs are provided with state-of-the-art IT equipment (PCs, printers, a photocopier, scanners), as well as books, CDs, DVDs and relevant WTO related documentation.  Reference Centres have access to WTO databases, publications and training materials on WTO Agreements.  The equipment is financed by the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF) for LDCs.  Normally, a RC will be equipped with three computers.  Full access to WTO official databases, e.g. the Integrated Database (IDB), the Consolidated Tariff Schedules database (CTS), and “Documents online”, taking into account policy rules on what is accessible to WTO members and to acceding countries. </p> <p>The managers of the RCs will be appropriately trained on the use of software to retrieve the required data and information for dissemination and training purposes. This may include training on software used and provided by other agencies (ITC, UNCTAD, World Bank).  It is important that beneficiary institutions provide training and guidance to RC managers in respect of the management of the Reference Centres.</p></div> <div class="rightCol"> <div id="latabbox2" > <div class="TabBox"> <div class="headingDiv">2015-2016 Activities </div> <div class="contentDiv"><p class="parasmalltext">Overall, the RC programme will seek to cover 25 countries between 2015 and 2016.  Priority will be given to LDCs, primarily, but pending requests from developing countries will be dealt with during 2015.   Subsequently, the RC programme will seek to incorporate the remaining LDCs which either do not have a WTO Reference Centre or that have a RC that has not been upgraded in 10 years or more.  </p> <p class="parasmalltext">Countries that did not submit the 2013 reports are invited to submit their reports in order to activate possible WTO support as described on this page. </p></div> </div> </div> <p class="smallgreaterlistitem"> </p> <p class="smallgreaterlistitem"> </p> <div id="latabbox1" > <div class="TabBox"> <div class="headingDiv">2014 Activities</div> <div class="contentDiv"> <p class="parasmalltext">In 2014, nine WTO Reference Centres were established or upgraded, while a few missions to launch Reference Centres were postponed for implementation in 2015.  Three RCs were established in Africa (Burundi, Swaziland and Mali), three in Asia-Pacific (Comoros, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands), one in the Caribbean (St Vincent and the Grenadines), and one in Latin America (Costa Rica).  </p></div> </div> <p> </p> </div> <div id="latabbox3" > <div class="TabBox"> <div class="headingDiv">Basic documents</div> <div class="contentDiv"><p class="parasmalltext">> <a href="/english/tratop_e/devel_e/train_e/techspe_e.pdf" class="parasmallcolourtext" target="_blank">Technical Specifications</a></p> <p class="parasmalltext">> <a href="/english/tratop_e/devel_e/train_e/charte_e.pdf" class="parasmallcolourtext" target="_blank">Guide on the use and functioning of WTO Reference Centres</a></p></div> </div> </div> <p> </p> <p align="left" class="parasmalltext"> </p></div> </div> <form action="http://docsonline.wto.org/imrd/gen_redirectSearch.asp" method="post" name="hiddenform" target="new"> <input type="hidden" name="query" value> <input type="hidden" name="language" value> </form> </div>   <div id="footer"> </div>  </div> <div id="lightbox" class="lightbox" style="position:fixed; top:0px; left:0px; width:100%; height:100%" tabindex="0" onClick="javascript:hideLightBox()"></div>  <script language="javascript1.2" src="/library/wtomenus/loader_wide_2011.js" type="text/javascript"></script>  <div class="tooltiptext" id="navtxt" style="left: 0px; visibility: hidden; position: absolute; top: -100px; z-index:5000"> </div> <script>(function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'8e78296acaa4a8db',t:'MTczMjQzODMzNS4wMDAwMDA='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.nonce='';a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();</script></body> </html>