Page 75 - Bulletin, Vol.83 No.2, September 2024

from 1st January 1968. It was proposed that the financing of the Centre should be
shared equally between GATT and the United Nations (through UNCTAD).

Following its meeting in Marrakech in April 1994, the GATT was transformed into the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the ITC thus became the International Trade
Centre UNCTAD/WTO. The first meeting of the ITC Joint Advisory Group took place in
May 1968.

In 1971, the ITC was organised into two Research Departments (Market Research and
Export Promotion Techniques) and two Operational Departments (Trade Promotion
Consultancy and Executive Training). These services were supported by a
Documentation Service and a Publications Service.

As early as 1970, ITC began programming and implementing technical assistance
projects for developing countries, with the support of the UNDP and an increasing
number of donor countries for the financing of projects to promote exports from various
developing countries. The ITC has specialised in a range of non-traditional products
such as exotic fruits, spices, flowers, leather and textile goods, handicrafts, etc. It has
also focused on strengthening the institutions concerned, developing their information
services and training their managers.

During its existence, the ITC has occupied numerous offices in Geneva, from its first
offices in the Villa le Bocage in 1964 to its own building constructed and moved into 54
Rue de Montbrillant in 1981; it currently has over 400 staff and recruits numerous
consultants for consultancy assignments, seminars and project evaluation activities.

Since 1998, ITC has been involved in the use of the Internet for trade promotion and
connectivity issues related to e-commerce. This theme was recently addressed by the
WTO 'Aid for Trade' symposium, with which ITC was associated from 26 to 28 May
2024, marking its 60th Anniversary.

Around twenty ITC retirees celebrated this event over lunch, next to the Château de
1
Voltaire in Ferney-Voltaire, on 15 May 2024.

1 At this meeting, the Amicale des Retraités de l'ITC (AFIS) was reactivated. For further information on its
activities, please contact Bernard ANCEL (ancel@netplus.ch)

AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 83 No.2, 2024-09 73

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