The eleventh session of the Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development will take place from 19 to 23 February 2007 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. It will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, 19 February 2007.

The Commission will consider four substantive items and the reports of related expert meetings, including in the context of potential UNCTAD contributions to the Aid for Trade initiative. The first substantive item (agenda item 3) deals with improving the competitiveness of SMEs through enhancing productive capacity. The second substantive item (agenda item 4) deals with efficient transport and trade facilitation to improve the participation of developing countries in international trade. The third substantive item (agenda item 5) covers ICT and e-business for development. The fourth substantive item (agenda item 8) concerns the outcome and recommendations of the Ad Hoc Expert Meeting on Building Skills in Developing Countries: Training, Networking and ICTs. The provisional agenda for the eleventh session of the Commission will be circulated as document TD/B/COM.3/77.

Membership of the Commission is open to all States members of UNCTAD. States members of UNCTAD wishing to attend the session are requested to provide the Secretary-General of UNCTAD with the credentials of their representatives and the names of their alternate representatives and advisers by 31 January 2007. States that are not members of the Commission are entitled to be represented by observers. Other participants (i.e. the specialized agencies and intergovernmental bodies, as well as non-governmental organizations in the General and Special Categories wishing to participate as observers) are requested to indicate the names of their representatives by the same date.

Upon arrival, participants are requested, before entering the Palais des Nations, to collect their badge at the UN Security Service, Pregny Gate entrance, 14 Avenue de la Paix. The Security Service is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because of the security measures in force, participants are strongly advised to arrive before 9.00 a.m. in order to complete entry procedures in good time and proceed to the meeting in the E-Building (Bâtiment E) of the Palais. Participants are requested to carry a passport or similar national identity card with them. Taxis are not allowed to enter the grounds of the Palais des Nations, and visitors will therefore be dropped off at the requested entrance gates. Furthermore, luggage may not be brought into the buildings unless the Security Service gives special clearance.

Communications concerning representation should be sent to the UNCTAD secretariat, Intergovernmental Support Service, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10; fax: + 41(0)22 917 0214; e-mail: correspondence@unctad.org.

All substantive enquiries should be addressed to the officers concerned:

• Item 3 - Mr. Kee Hwee WEE, tel: +41(0)22 917 5869; fax: +41(0)22 917 0122; e-mail: kee.hwee.wee@unctad.org
  
  
• Item 4 - Mr. Maxence ORTHLIEB, tel: +41(0)22 917 2001; fax: +41(0)22 917 0050; e-mail: maxence.orthlieb@unctad.org
  
  
• Item 5 - Mr. Angel GONZALEZ-SANZ, tel: +41(0)22 917 2042; fax: +41(0)22 917 0052; e-mail: angel.gonzalez-sanz@unctad.org
  
  
• Item 8 - Mr. Xavier ALPHAIZE, tel: +41(0)22 917 2070; fax: +41(0)22 917 0052; e-mail: xavier.alphaize@unctad.org

(signed)

Supachai Panitchpakdi
Secretary-General of UNCTAD
4 January 2007