IMF, World Bank & IFI Round-Up

Poor countries must use trade as a tool to survive the financial crisis gripping richer nations, Cambodia's premier told a meeting of officials from developing countries Nov. 19. Trade ministers and representatives from nearly 50 nations under the Least Developed Countries grouping gathered for two days of talks in Siem Reap. Opening the meeting, Cambodian PM Hun Sen said the world's poorest nations were already suffering "a trade barrier," with tariffs and strict controls hampering their access to world markets, AFP reporter. Hun Sen called on the grouping to find ways to work together to expand exports and attract foreign private capital to help develop their countries.