A preliminary impact assessment undertaken by UNCTAD in 2003 on the main recent initiatives in favour of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the area of preferential market access. This document has been prepared to facilitate the debate at the fiftieth regular session of the Trade and Development Board on the benefits effectively derived from least developed country status. It analyses the benefits effectively derived from LDC status … and the expected impact of the most recent initiatives in favour of LDCs in the area of preferential market access, inter alia the “Everything But Arms” initiative, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and other such initiatives.