   
  
PRESS/ 916 
 
13 January 2023  
(23-0355) Page: 1/1 
    
 
 
PRESS RELEASE  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
The Netherlands commits CHF 4.3 million to extend Netherlands 
Trainee Programme  
The Netherlands has committed just over CHF 4.3 million to extend the Netherlands Trainee 
Programme for another five years, covering the period from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2028. 
Under this programme, approximately 15 government officials from developing and 
least-developed countries (LDCs) benefit each year from working in various divisions of the WTO 
Secretariat.  
 
The Netherlands Trainee Programme allows trade officials to gain valuable experience of the 
economic and development aspects of trade policy by participating in the work of the WTO 
Secretariat.  More than 200 government officials f rom developing countries have taken part in the 
programme since its inception in March 2005.  
 
WTO Director -General, Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, said: "This renewed commitment from the 
Netherlands towards financing the Netherlands Trainee Programme is very welcome . The funding 
will enable capital -based officials from developing countries and LDCs to gain hands -on experience 
of WTO activities so that they can help their countries participate more fully in global trade."  
 
The Netherlands' Deputy Permanent Representat ive to the WTO, Marcel Vernooij, said: "We are 
pleased to extend our partnership with the WTO. The Netherlands is committed to increasing the 
integration of developing countries and LDCs into global value chains and the global economy. 
Promoting inclusive trade as an engine for sustainable growth and job creation is a high priority for 
our trainee programme. " 
 
The previous agreement was signed on 18 October 2018 and expired on 31 December 2022. The 
initial agreement was signed on 24 March 2005 and was inten ded to last for five years but has 
been continuously renewed since then.  
 
The Netherlands has donated approximately CHF 45 million to the various WTO trust funds over 
15 years.  
 
See more about the Netherlands Trainee Programme here. 
 
 
END 