Fact sheet 2: The Value of EU Preferences for the ACP and EPA contribution to Market Access.
This Analytical Note is part of a series of Fact Sheets designed to overview and assesses the development implications of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which the EU is currently negotiating with 76 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP). (more…)
Fact Sheet 1: Understanding the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
This Analytical Note is part of a series of Fact Sheets designed to overview and assess the development implications of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which the EU is currently negotiating with 75 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP). (more…)
Market Power, Price Formation and Primary Commodities.
There has been widespread concern for many years over the very abstract nature of orthodox economic theory, especially that of the neo-classical school which has dominated the profession since the late 19th century. Such disquiet is frequently felt among non-economists, but a great many dissident economists have also expressed their disquiet over the years. (more…)
State of Play in Agricultural Negotiations: Country Grouping’ Positions – November 2006 update.
This note provides an overview of the position of various countries and group of countries active in the WTO agriculture negotiations with respect to critical issues discussed in the WTO agricultural negotiations. (more…)
The Suspension of the WTO DDA Negotiations: Scenarios and identification of pressure points for Developing Countries.
This note identifies some opportunities and challenges that the suspension of the WTO Doha negotiations has created for developing countries. In fact, an early identification of pressure points in the negotiations can contribute to the preparedness of developing country delegations for the time negotiations resume. (more…)
Increasing LDC Participation in Services through Special Priority Market Access in the WTO.
The participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in international trade in services is minimal. Unlike the case of goods, in services, LDCs compete on a Most Favoured Nation (MFN) basis. It is therefore impossible for a country to give a market opening only to LDCs, on terms more favourable than is available to others. (more…)
IP rights under investment agreements: The TRIPs-plus implications for enforcement and protection of public interest.
The proliferation of investment and IP agreements raises fundamental questions on the relationship between such agreements and the implementation of national policies for economic development. (more…)
The Development Dimension of the GATS Domestic Regulation Negotiations.
This Analytical Note discusses the implications GATS Article VI: 4 disciplines can have on developing countries and least developed countries and their pursuit for development through domestic regulations. (more…)
Some reasons not to negotiate export taxes and restrictions in the WTO NAMA Negotiations.
This Analysis briefly examines some of the economic and policy reasons behind the application of export taxes and export restrictions in developing countries. The elements enumerated in this note provide arguments against negotiations aimed at further restricting the use of this type of policy tools, as currently being proposed by developed countries in the WTO NAMA negotiations. (more…)
NAMA State of Play: Countries Negotiating Positions.
This note presents, in a schematic form, the negotiating positions of selected WTO Members or Groups of Members in the WTO Negotiations on Non- Agricultural Market Access (NAMA). (more…)
Considering gender and the WTO services negotiations.
The objective of this paper is to raise awareness amongst trade negotiators from developing and least developed countries of the inter-relationship between gender and trade in services issues. The context is the negotiations within the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO). (more…)
Elements for the Architecture of Aid for Trade.
The underlying message of this paper is that aid for trade is important to mitigate trade-induced adjustment costs and to bolster supply-side capacity in developing countries. However, aid is only second-best to balanced, fair and equitable trading rules. (more…)
