1.30.2005
The Real Trade Barriers That Hinder Poor Countries (IHT.com)
Reforming the WTO
LONDON There are few more pressing needs for development than making trade policy deliver increased and tangible benefits. While trade alone cannot bring lasting relief from poverty, without a coherent effort to integrate into the global economy poor nations have little chance of long-term advancement.
This was a major theme of the work of the Consultative Board on the Future of the World Trade Organization, established in 2003 by the director general of the WTO, Supachai Panitchpakdi, which has just reported. The group of eight economists,
lawyers and business people that I chaired sought to provide some new perspectives and practical proposals. None of them is revolutionary and all could be adopted if the political will exists.
For the present, the Doha round of trade negotiations must take precedent. A positive result on agriculture - eliminating export subsidies and taming other forms of support, as well as opening markets - would undoubtedly help development.
The real trade barriers that hinder poor countries ¶ 10:49
LONDON There are few more pressing needs for development than making trade policy deliver increased and tangible benefits. While trade alone cannot bring lasting relief from poverty, without a coherent effort to integrate into the global economy poor nations have little chance of long-term advancement.
This was a major theme of the work of the Consultative Board on the Future of the World Trade Organization, established in 2003 by the director general of the WTO, Supachai Panitchpakdi, which has just reported. The group of eight economists,
lawyers and business people that I chaired sought to provide some new perspectives and practical proposals. None of them is revolutionary and all could be adopted if the political will exists.
For the present, the Doha round of trade negotiations must take precedent. A positive result on agriculture - eliminating export subsidies and taming other forms of support, as well as opening markets - would undoubtedly help development.
The real trade barriers that hinder poor countries ¶ 10:49
