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World Trade Organisation
Introduction
Since the formation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995,
members have been implementing the various agreements following
the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations
(MTNs). The effects of that process of policy reforms have been
the subject of numerous CIES studies, as have ex ante analyses of
reform options under consideration in the current Round of MTNs
that was launched at the Trade Ministerial in Doha in November 2001.
As well, dozens of developing and formerly centrally planned economies
have been seeking WTO membership. The process of WTO accession is
complex, and typically involves major trade policy reforms affecting
all sectors of the economy. Many trade-related policies, including
those affecting services, foreign investment and intellectual property,
also must become WTO-consistent. Assisting that process through
post-graduate training of trade officials from such countries, and
through reports on the need to join, the steps involved, and the
likely consequences of the reforms required for accession, have
been another feature of CIES activities since the mid-1990s.
The increasing influence of the WTO in globalizing the world’s
economies has increased interest in learning about the genesis of
the modern global trading system, the core rules and disciplines,
their exceptions, and the new issues confronting the WTO. To that
end Kym Anderson and Bernard Hoekman have put together a 4-volume
set of readings on those topics that was published by I.B. Taurus,
London in early 2002. They have also taken on the task of General
Editors of a new series of volumes of readings entitled Critical
Perspectives on the World Trading System. Various sets of volumes
in that series will be published over coming years by Edward Elgar
Publishers, London. In addition, the ever-popular Dictionary of
Trade Policy Terms, compiled by Walter Goode and first published
by CIES in 1997, is now in its 3rd edition.
The Program Co-ordinator is Professor
Kym Anderson. (Prof Anderson is currently on leave to the World
Bank.)
Comments about the program are welcome, as are possibilities for
research collaboration. Please contact kanderson@worldbank.org
Program Publications
Related Readings
Links
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