Introduction

Abstract

In recent discussions of the Doha Round and whether or not it can be revived, calls for an ‘early harvest’ for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have featured prominently in the debates. Similarly, at the latest World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference held in Geneva in December 2011, WTO members committed themselves to ensuring that the interests of the LDCs were ‘given due priority in the future work of the WTO’ (WTO, 2011f). Of the seven decisions that were made at the Ministerial Conference, three related directly to LDCs, and LDCs were explicitly mentioned in a fourth decision on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. The three decisions in favour of the LDCs allowed for further negotiations on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) transition period for LDCs, agreement to try and further streamline the process of accession for LDCs and importantly, a waiver allowing WTO members to treat services and service providers from LDCs more favourably than those from other members.