AUSTRALIA and South Africa will fund a special training programme for African trade negotiators this year, according to Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer. It will be held in South Africa in May. ”The programme will assist key African policy makers to maximise their engagement in, and influence on, trade negotiations with other members of the World Trade Organisation,” he said in a statement. Australia had committed over AU$24-million in the past two years to an active programme of trade related technical co-operation and policy dialogue with developing countries in the 54-member Commonwealth, Downer said. ”This programme is aimed at strengthening their capacity to participate in global and regional trading arrangements and take advantage of new trade opportunities.” It was not immediately clear what amount South Africa would contribute. – Sapa