I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

At the outset I would like to thank the co-facilitators for convening this substantive informal session and also the moderators and speakers for their presentations.

"Trade, investment and technology"

In today's world, information and communication technologies are vital to developing countries full participation in the global economy. They hold tremendous potential for eradication of poverty and promotion of socio-economic development. ICTs have a prominent role in promoting inclusive growth and development.

There is a need to upgrade the quality and quantity of existing telecommunication infrastructure in developing countries.

It is the view of the Group that for developing countries to be able to benefit from information and communication technologies a greater emphasis should be placed on reducing the cost of such technologies, including the cost of broadband connections, and on capacity-building for greater use and application in the developing world.

Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are critical enablers of economic development and investment, with consequential benefits for employment and social welfare.

However, despite the positive trends in connectivity and affordability, including increased Internet access, rapid diffusion of mobile communication and development of new services and applications since the holding of the WSIS more than a decade ago, the Group is concerned about the continuing gap in digital divide and broadband access between developed and developing countries.

We are also concerned that the persistent financial and economic crisis has negatively affected developing countries capacities to mobilize resources for ICT investment and diffusion.

The Group of 77 and China reiterates the need to provide effective, sustainably financed trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building tailored to the specific needs and constraints of developing countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework of WTO, in order to address the supply-side and trade-related infrastructure and productive capacity constraints of least developed countries.

Likewise, it is crucial for developing countries to have access to financial and technical assistance for capacity-building in order to implement effectively the new WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

In this context, special focus must be given, among other elements, to those projects and programs oriented towards developing and strengthening corridors for reducing costs in international transit.

Thank you.