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  “The World Trade Report 2003 seeks to deepen public
understanding of pressing policy issues”, writes Dr. Supachai in his
foreword to the report. “The central focus of this year's report is
development. By explaining the origin of this issue and others and by
offering an analytical framework within which to address them, the report aims to contribute to more informed discussion and a better
appreciation of the options available to address policy challenges”.
The 270-page report gives extensive examination to the Doha Development
Agenda round of global trade negotiations and states clearly that these
talks hold significant potential for raising levels of development in
impoverished countries. This is particularly true with respect to
negotiations on agriculture and non-agricultural market access.
“There is a powerful case to be made that enhanced market access for
poor countries' products, and greater equity in WTO rules, can bolster
development efforts”, said Dr. Supachai. “This report argues forcefully
in favour of an intensified engagement in the global trading system by
all our Member Governments. Without this greater commitment and
leadership from governments, there will be a tendency to postpone the
difficult political decisions that must be taken if we are to have a
successful Doha round and a stronger global trading system”.
There are two sections to the report. The first section titled “Trade
and Trade Policy Developments” focuses on three issues of topical
interest: South-South trade; non-oil commodity markets; and regional
trade agreements. On each issue, the report analyzes developments over
the last few years, highlights their implications, and draws a number of
conclusions about the options facing governments.
The second section titled “Trade and Development” starts with a brief
discussion of development and the relationship between trade and
development, and goes on to analyze in depth how the Doha Development
Agenda can contribute to growth and development in developing countries.
As governments formulate their positions in respect of the many issues
on the Doha agenda requiring decision, Dr Supachai reminds negotiators
that the effective pursuit of national interests requires joint action
around shared objectives. “That means joint responsibility for an
effective process of give and take”, he writes. “Countries hardly ever
obtain everything they want in negotiations, but it is deeply fallacious
to see an outcome yielding no result as a better option than one that
might require hard work and patience, but offers something to all
parties”.
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Download the report:
pdf format
> Complete
report
(262 pages; 3878KB)
> Foreword,
executive summary and related material
(41 pages; 383KB)
> I.
Trade and trade policy developments
(66 pages; 3891KB)
> Appendix
section I
(10 pages; 111KB)
II. Trade and development
> A.
The role of trade and trade policy in the development process (40 pages;
428KB)
> B.
The Doha development agenda
(78 pages; 897KB)
> Appendix
tables section II
(26 pages; 281KB)
Excel format
> You should also consult the
technical
notes (Word
format, 7 pages; 106KB)
> Appendix
tables of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) — bound and applied tariffs
(412 KB)
> Developing
regions' imports from the South, 1990-2001
(21 KB)
> South
South merchandise exports by product, 1990-2001
(24 KB)
> South-South
exports of office and telecom equipment and automotive products by
destination, 1990-2001
(29 KB)
> Import
duties collected by selected developing countries, 1985-2000
(15 KB)
> Chart
IB.1: Importance of South trade varies strongly among developing
exporters, 1999-2001
(67 KB) |
