specific routes. Information andtechnical co-operation inthoseareaswillbe provided through seminars, advisory services, publications andcomputerized data bases. 13.83 Withregard tocommodity trade, development andpromotion, activities will continue tosupport: identification ofexport openings; formulation ofstrategies formarket entry; generic promotion campaigns; supply anddemandlink-ups; adaptation ordevelopment ofnewexport products; provision oftradeinformation services; provision ofspecialized tradeservices onexport packaging, export finance, export costing andpricing, tradefairsandcommercial publicity, export quality control, andthelegalaspects offoreign trade; andhumanresources development. 13.84 Special efforts willbemadetopromote thecommodity exports ofleast developed countries. Particular attention willalsobegiventosupporting the export marketing activities ofdeveloping countries exporting similar commodities, andtodeveloping countries heavily dependent onexport earnings fromoneortwo commodities. 13.85 Mostofthetechnical co-operation activities incommodities ofthe International TradeCentrewillbecommodity-specific. However, workon cross-commodity issues, suchastheoperation ofcommOdity exchanges, inparticular thefunctioning offuture markets andthedevelopment oftraining materials on commodity trading, export financing forcommodities, andstrengthening ofcommodity boards, willbegivendueattention. SUBPROGRAMME 12.IMPORT OPERATIONS ANDTECHNIQUES (a)Objectives 13.86 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme derives fromGeneral Assembly resolution 44/219. 13.87 Theobjectives ofthesubprogramme are: -33- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(a)Toimprove themanagement approaches, methods andpractices relating to procurement, materials management, logistics andotherelements oftheimport process, reducing importcostsandenhancing theutilization valueofimported goods; (b)Toincrease theknowledge andskillsofmanagers andstaffresponsible forimport-related activities atalllevels; (c)Toimprove accessto,anduseof,information required forimport decision-making andoperations; (d)Torationalize andstreamline importprocedures andfacilitate the process ofimportliberalization whereapplicable; (e)Toincrease co-operation amongdeveloping countries inthesharing of knowledge, information andservices onimportoperations andtechniques; (f)Tocontribute tothesourcing ofimported goodsfromotherdeveloping countries. Thepriority targetcountries forassistance willbetheleast developed countries. (b)Course ofaction Qfthesecretariat 13.88Inworking tQwards achievement oftheaboveQbjectives, thesecretariat of theInternatiQnal TradeCentrewillpursue thefQllowing CQurseofaction. 13.89Intheareaofimportmanagement, activities willaimat:strengthening the technical capabilities ofbusiness assQciatiQns, technical support services and cQnsultancy institutions indeveloping countries, enabling themtoprovide assistance tQimpQrting QrganizatiQns andenterprises Qnacontinuing basis; where relevant, givingparticular attention tQimpQrts QfgQodsrequired forexport productiQn; assisting selected impQrting QrganizatiQns andenterprises inthe adoption Qfimproved impQrt management apprQaches, methQds andpractices; pr9mQting thejointpurchase and/ortranspQrt ofimported materials bybusiness enterprises, particularly inindustries cQmpeting oninternatiQnal markets; strengthening the linksbetween commercial andtechnical cQnsideratiQns inimpQrt management decisiQn-making; andsupporting theadoptiQn ofprocurement specifications basedon international, regional andnational standards. 13.90Intheareaofimporttraining, theInternational TradeCentrewill:
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on improving the management and operations of trade, particularly in the areas of import and export. It discusses various activities and initiatives aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting trade between countries. The text also touches on the importance of technical cooperation, training, and human resources development in the trade sector.

**Category**
International trade