the African countries which should spare no effort to consolidate their trading positions. 263. The uncertainty created by the world economic situation and the fierce competition raging among trading nations had increased protectionist pressures which found form in discriminatory bilateral agreements that have seriously eroded the multilateral trading system established under GATT. He therefore appealed to the African States (30 of whom were members of GATT) to prepare themselves to participate effectively in the multilateral negotiations, which might be held in 1986 under the auspices of GATT, on International trade in the 1980s and 1990s; and a replacement for the multifibre agreement which would expire in July 1986. The GATT secretariat stood ready to assist African States in preparing for those negotiations, 2.64. The observer for the African Development Bank Group stated that poor performance in the major economic sectors of the Bank's regional members, their strong dependence on imported inputs and their decreasing capacity to import, cast uncertainty on the prospects for economic growth and development in Africa. A major factor in the decline in economic performance was the dwindling capacity of many African States to service external debt. International assistance was needed to contain that problem, but he also suggested national measures, including concerted efforts to generate internal savings for investment in domestic food and industrial production so as to save foreign exchange; more efficient utilization of both domestic and foreign resources; other policy reforms to increase productivity throughout the economy; and improvements in external debt and balance-of-payments management. - 65 - 265. Since the adoption of the Lagos Plan of Action, the Bank Group had devoted an increasing share of its available resources to the development of the food and agriculture sector. In the light of the current food crisis in Africa, it intended that 60 per cent of the concessional resources 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic situation of African countries, the need for international assistance, and the role of international organizations such as GATT and the African Development Bank Group in promoting economic development and trade. It also touches on the need for national measures to improve economic performance and debt management.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade