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Fulfilling the Marrakesh Mandate on Coherence: Ten Years of Cooperation between the WTO, IMF and World Bank
This paper looks at ten years of cooperation between the three institutions, from routine daily work and projects to higher-profile
initiatives. It describes the mandate and framework under which cooperation is organized, and provides an overview of the multipronged activities in which the WTO is engaged with its partners. It takes a critical look at what has been achieved so far in relation to expectations and according to the different interpretations of the Mandate itself.

The Changing Landscape of RTAs: 2006 update
This paper looks at main trends and characteristics of regional trade agreements, in force and under negotiation. It is an update of the contents of WTO Discussion Paper 8, with new information on RTAs to 2006. The paper also examines the effects of RTAs on third parties and on the multilateral trading system.

International Production Sharing: A Case for a Coherent Policy Framework
This study seeks to clarify what fragmented production or production sharing is, how widespread it is, how it is organized, its driving forces and what are its policy implications - the latter focussing on developing countries and the Doha Development Round. It presents six country case studies where the importance and nature of production sharing or vertical specialization in the automotive and electronics sectors is studied for each country.

Demystifying Modelling Methods for Trade Policy
This paper focuses on the use of computable general equilibrium (CGE) models and gravity models to develop policy options in the area of trade. It identifies the strengths and limitations of these analytical tools. The authors also explore the essential factors that need to be taken into account in using computer modelling in arriving at policy scenarios for decision-makers.

The WTO and Direct Taxation
This paper provides an overview of the extent to which WTO rules apply to taxation, particularly direct taxation. It contains a summary of disputes concerning income tax measures that have arisen at the WTO since its establishment, with special attention to the protracted dispute between the EC and the US over the latter’s FSC/ETI schemes

The Changing Landscape of Regional Trade Agreements
This paper looks at main trends and characteristics of regional trade agreements, in force and under negotiation. It also examines their effects on third parties and on the multilateral trading system.

Selected Issues Concerning the Multilateral Trading System 
This paper explores some selected issues, including misconceptions, concerning international trade and investment. Particular attention is focused on several issues that are of special interest to developing countries.

The Trade, Debt and Finance Nexus: at the Cross-roads of Micro—and Macroeconomics
This paper seeks to provide some clarification of this multi-faceted and complex relationship, and how the WTO is part of a national and international effort to address some of the challenges raised by these relationships. The paper reviews some of the theoretical links and existing literature on the subject, and analyses practical steps and priorities that are directly addressed in the newly established Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance of the WTO. Finally, the paper addresses the issue of Coherence in the work of international organizations on some of the links highlighted in the first section.

The Global Textile and Clothing Industry post the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing
This paper, written under the exclusive responsibility of a member of the WTO Secretariat in a personal capacity, assesses some of the possibilities with respect to the potential impact of trade liberalization in the textiles and clothing sector with the end of quotas on 1 January 2005. The paper reproduces simulation estimates of the effects on trade flows of quota removal, using standard general equilibrium modelling techniques. It then argues that the estimates thus derived tend to ignore certain industry characteristics and policy factors. The paper does not purport to reflect a comprehensive list of such factors. The paper ends by offering an alternative estimation technique. The fluidity of the commercial and policy environments affecting trade in this sector, and the consequent difficulty in assessing the impact of trade liberalization, should be borne in mind when reading this paper.

The Role of Export Taxes in the Field of Primary Commodities
This paper examines the economic effects of an export tax on commodity prices and the volume of exports. It examines how welfare resulting from an export tax is redistributed among foreign and domestic consumers, producers and the government, and the effects of an export tax used as an instrument of trade policy to improve developing countries’ terms of trade, favours economic diversification and help the poor.

Income Volatility in Small and Developing Economies: Export Concentration Matters
This paper examines the effect of export concentration on income volatility in small economies, and concludes that volatility is reduced if small economies diversify their exports.

Improving the Availability of Trade Finance during Financial Crises
This paper explores the reasons behind the failure by private markets and other institutions to meet demand for cross-border and domestic short-term trade finance during financial crises such as the one which affected emerging economies in the 1990s.

Industrial Tariffs and the Doha Development Agenda
Containing many tables and charts, the paper focuses on the basic mandate given to negotiators at Doha and looks at specific issues facing developed, developing and least-developed countries.