Trade monitoring
Preface
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Specific notes for selected economies
Beginning with the 2002 report, EU data compiled according to national statistical practices have been replaced, starting 1993, with data compiled by Eurostat in accordance with EU legislation. The concepts and definitions adopted by the EU are in line with the United Nations’ International Trade Statistics, Concepts and Definitions, Series M, N° 52, Revision 2. As a result, the conceptual differences between EU member states’ data have been substantially reduced. Moreover, for the EU as a whole, Eurostat data are more timely than the previous source, thus reducing substantially the amount of estimation included in the EU aggregate.
Remerciements et Avertissement
Le Rapport sur le commerce mondial 2012 a été rédigé sous la direction générale d'Alejandro Jara, Directeur général adjoint de l'OMC, et sous la supervision de Patrick Low, Directeur de la Division de la recherche économique et des statistiques. Marc Bacchetta et Cosimo Beverelli ont coordonné la rédaction du rapport de cette année. La rédaction des différentes sections a été coordonnée par Alexander Keck, Coleman Nee, Roberta Piermartini et Michele Ruta.
Trade and development
The WTO’s Committee on Trade and Development continued to focus on the link between trade and development. It considered the implementation of special and differential treatment provisions for developing countries in WTO agreements and decisions, and discussed the participation of developing economies in global trade. It also pressed ahead with implementing the work programme on electronic commerce. Key issues for its Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) included capacity-building initiatives, market access for LDCs and technical assistance.