WTO NEWS: 2004 NEWS ITEMS
22 December 2004
WTO TRAINING COURSES
Closure of the Regional Trade Policy Course for French-speaking Africa in Rabat, Morocco
The Regional Trade Policy Course for French-Speaking Africa, organized in partnership with Mohammed V - Souissi University in Rabat, Morocco, came to an end on 10 December 2004. It had officially been launched on 20 September.
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launches trade policy course for African countries in Rabat
The closing ceremony was attended by Professor Abdelhamid El Iraki,
Vice President of Research - Cooperation - Partnership at Mohammed V -
Souissi University, and Mr Mustapha Mechaouri, Minister of Foreign Trade of
the Kingdom of Morocco. Also present were a number of important dignataries,
not only from Mohammed V - Souissi University, but also from the Ministry of
National Education, Higher Education, Staff Training and Scientific Research
and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
H.E. M Mustapha Mechaouri, Minister of Foreign Trade, recalling all that had
been done to ensure that the course was a total success, thanked all of the
Members of the WTO Secretariat and of Mohammed V - Souissi University, the
regional representatives, and the course participants, whom he congratulated
for their efficient participation and their professional and intellectual
curiosity, as well as all of the donor countries for their contribution to
the WTO's special technical assistance fund. He concluded by addressing the
following words to participants: "We feel certain that the course you have
attended and the work you have done under the supervision of the university
representatives will enable you to pursue the best trade interests of our
countries at the multilateral level".
Mr Paul Rolian, Director of the WTO Institute for Training and Technical
Cooporation, said in his closing statement that the course owed its success
largely to the excellent cooperation and to the spirit of partnership
displayed throughout by Mohammed V - Souissi University. He also
congratulated the participants for all of their efforts and urged them to
put what they had learned to the best possible use within their ministries.
Mr El Iraki then recalled the formula that had been adopted for the
presentation of the course modules, which involved joint delivery by experts
from the WTO Secretariat (26) and an equal number of specialists from the
French-speaking African region, including 3 Moroccans. Thanks to the
regional academic resources from institutions of higher education or
research institutes, it was possible to give the course an added dimension
in which regional realities and concerns were reflected. He also stressed
the fact that participants had been able to take part in professional visits
to the various Moroccan Ministries and institutions.
Mr Adamou Aba Bagnan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African
Integration of Benin made a brief statement on behalf of the participants,
stressing the excellent work of all involved, and sincerely thanked the WTO
as well as Morocco for supporting the project. The bonds of friendship that
had developed over those 12 weeks, added to the increased familiarity with
WTO matters, had made the experience worthwhile from every point of view.
The course was attended by 23 officials from French-speaking African
countries. During the 12 weeks, they were able to become acquainted with the
rules of the WTO and how the organization operates. They acquired and
deepened their knowledge of trade policy, and will now be better equipped to
help build up the capacity of their governments to articulate and defend
their national interests.
The next regional trade policy course, for the Caribbean, will begin next
January in Kingston, Jamaica.