To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress in dismantling trade barriers affecting developing countries. [32880]

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) held a High Level Meeting in October which resulted in a series of modest increased market access offers for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by a number of developed and some more advanced developing countries. At this meeting the EU reaffirmed its commitment to offer Lome equivalent terms to the nine non-Africa, Caribbean, Pacific LDCs, and terms were agreed in February under the UK Presidency. Progress on implementation of market access commitments will be reviewed at the WTO Ministerial which will take place in Geneva from 18–19 May.