Diagnostic Phase

For the diagnostic phase, the LDC government appoints a national, regional or international agency/ institution to lead the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS or DTIS update).  The DTIS lead agency is then expected to put together a team of national, regional and international experts to prepare the DTIS.  The DTIS will assess the competitiveness of the economy and of the sectors that are engaged in international trade or have such potential.

Preparations of the study include in general a preliminary mission (Generic TOR for the preliminary mission (pdf - 29k)) and a main field mission (Generic TOR for the principal mission (pdf - 17k)) lasting three weeks.  Interactions between the IF team and local counterparts in the field are designed to increase local capacity and understanding on trade matters.

Each DTIS will typically have five components:

(i) Executive Summary and Action Matrix;

(ii) Discussion of overall trade issues (macroeconomic environment, structure and pattern of trade and investment, trade policy and institutions, trade agreements and market access, WTO issues (accession or compliance, whatever may be applicable), trade and poverty);

(iii) Discussion of cross-sectoral issues (business environment and institutional framework for trade and investment, trade facilitation, standards);

(iv) Sectoral studies;  and

(v) Description of Implementation Arrangements.

Given the distinct situation and prevailing conditions in each country, specific concept papers are developed for each country on the basis of the above five generic components, in consultation with the government concerned.

(DTIS template, English version) (pdf - 78k)

Page last updated on 15 December 2009