PREFACE

This publication is based on two documents prepared for Round Tables held in Geneva for delegates to the WTO negotiations on issues relating to the implementation of the Marrakesh Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least-Developed and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries.

The first document, entitled “Mechanisms for financing imports of basic foodstuffs by net food importing developing countries and possibilities for improvement”, was prepared in collaboration with UNCTAD^[1] as a background paper for an FAO Round Table held in Geneva on 2 May 2003. That Round Table examined how commercial imports of basic foodstuffs by LDCs and NFIDCs take place and the conditions for their financing; how short-term financing difficulties may occur given current practices; and what can be done at the national and international levels to alleviate those difficulties. In particular, a multilateral facility was proposed, with functions similar to those of some bilateral export credit guarantee schemes, to provide credit insurance and guarantees for the food imports of LDCs and NFIDCs.

The second document, “Food import profiles of least-developed countries and net food-importing developing countries from 1981 to 2001” was presented to a WTO Round Table held in Geneva on 19 May 2003. It demonstrates that the commercial food import bills of many LDCs and NFIDCs have been rising since the 1980s and have experienced, in addition, considerable surges above trend in the 1990s, reflecting both price spikes and reduced concessional sales.

In order to make the two documents accessible to a wider audience, this volume presents them together, with the second document providing background and supporting information in an annex to this publication.