The financial support aims to encourage inclusive growth and accelerate the development of sustainable economies.

The Netherlands will provide US$10 million to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to help developing countries, including many in Africa, take greater advantage of e-commerce and the digital economy to facilitate business and investment.

 An agreement relating to that financial support was signed on Tuesday, 17 January, by UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan (photo, left) and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher (photo, right).

 "The Netherlands appreciates UNCTAD’s contribution to global digitalization and linking it to improving business and investment opportunities. We are therefore happy to continue our support and hope other donors will follow the Netherlands in its support for this important program," Ms. Schreinemacher said.

According to the agreement signed by the two parties,  US$6 million will be devoted to research and technical cooperation activities under UNCTAD's e-business and digital economy program.

An additional US$4 million will "fund UNCTAD’s efforts to strengthen digital government services for micro- and small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and international investors.  It will also support enterprise development, accounting, and reporting for MSMEs to strengthen business facilitation."

In a release dated January 18, the UNCTAD explains that the Netherlands has been supporting its e-business and digital economy program for years now. The support has helped build more inclusive digital economies for women and promoted partnerships to support the development of e-business in low-income countries. It has also helped strengthen digital business and facilitated investments in six African countries and one country each in Asia and Latin America, we learn.

Samira Njoya