Trade monitoring
Report by Myanmar
Myanmar finds itself in a process of intensive development and reform. Over the past years, the Government of Myanmar has embarked on a wide range of regulatory and institutional reforms to open the country’s economy and boost its development, inter alia through the autonomous lifting of restrictions on investment and the liberalization of trade in goods and services, greater integration into and embeddedness in the region, and intensified engagement at the multilateral level, not least in the WTO. The country’s ongoing process of economic transformation encompasses and builds on interconnected elements, including diversification, modernization, liberalization, facilitation and sustainability.
Introduction
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.
Report by Argentina
This trade policy review of Argentina is taking place at a time when the world is feeling the enormous impact of COVID-19 on health-related matters, which has had economic, trade and social repercussions throughout much of the world. This situation has greatly affected the world’s economic and trade performance, particularly that of developing countries. In the case of Argentina, this impact is particularly noticeable in the final stage of the period under analysis.
Prefacio
El Mecanismo de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales (MEPC), establecido a título experimental por las PARTES CONTRATANTES del GATT en abril de 1989, se ha convertido en un elemento permanente de la Organización Mundial del Comercio en virtud del Acuerdo de Marrakech por el que se estableció esta Organización en enero de 1995.
Informe de la Argentina
El presente examen de política comercial de Argentina tiene lugar en momentos en que el mundo está experimentando el enorme impacto del COVID-19 en materia sanitaria, lo que ha tenido repercusiones en materia económica, comercial y social en gran parte del mundo. Esta misma situación ha afectado muy especialmente el desempeño económico-comercial del mundo, y muy especialmente de los Países en Desarrollo. En el caso de Argentina, este impacto se percibe con fuerza en la última etapa del período bajo análisis.
Informe de la Secretaría de la OMC
La producción y exportación de productos agropecuarios revisten particular importancia para la economía argentina. La Argentina es uno de los principales exportadores mundiales de soja y subproductos de la soja, maíz y girasol. También es un importante productor y exportador de otros cereales, carne vacuna y productos lácteos. Alrededor de la soja, el maíz, la carne, el girasol, los lácteos y otros productos se han formado cadenas de valor que contribuyen de manera significativa al PIB y al empleo, y son importantes generadoras de divisas. Desde el anterior examen de la Argentina a principios de 2013, los sectores productivos vinculados con la exportación, particularmente la agricultura, han sido los que han mostrado un mejor desempeño. En general, el sector externo ha continuado desempeñando un papel importante en la economía argentina. Las exportaciones, a pesar de haberse contraído como la economía en general durante el período examinado, no solo han contribuido a sostener la balanza de pagos e impedir una mayor caída del PIB, sino que además han constituido una importante fuente de financiamiento del sector público.
Introduction
Trade Profiles contain detailed information on merchandise trade flows, including top products traded by each economy, an expanded section on trade in commercial services, as well as statistics on intellectual property. The information, available for WTO members, observers, and other selected economies, is derived from multiple domains, such as customs statistics, national accounts, Balance of Payments statistics, Foreign AffiliaTes Statistics (FATS), and industrial property statistics. Data are sourced from WTO Secretariat and external sources and presented in standardized and visualized format for quick reference.
La douzième Conférence ministérielle en bref
La douzième Conférence ministérielle s’est tenue du 12 au 17 juin 2022 au siège de l’OMC, à Genève. Elle devait initialement se tenir en décembre 2021 mais a été reportée en raison de la pandémie.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Dr. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme of Botswana, at the Trade Policy Review of Guyana, 2 and 4 March 2022.
The fourth Trade Policy Review of Guyana has provided us with a good opportunity to understand the trade and related policies of Guyana since its last review in 2015 and acknowledge the challenges it faces. The Review has benefitted from the constructive and informative participation of Guyana’s delegation, headed by the Honourable Mr Deodat Indar, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, from the insightful comments of the discussant, H.E. Ambassador Usha Chandnee Dwarka-Canabady, Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the WTO, and from the 20 delegations that took the floor during this meeting.
Secretaría y presupuesto
La Secretaría de la OMC cuenta con una plantilla de más de 600 funcionarios que coordinan las actividades de la Organización. El presupuesto anual de la OMC se financia en su mayor parte mediante las contribuciones de sus Miembros.
Introducción
El objetivo general de la OMC es ayudar a sus Miembros a utilizar el comercio como medio para elevar los niveles de vida, crear empleo y mejorar la vida de las personas. La OMC administra el sistema mundial de normas comerciales y ayuda a los países en desarrollo a crear capacidad comercial. Asimismo, constituye un foro al que acuden sus Miembros para negociar acuerdos sobre comercio y resolver los problemas comerciales que tienen unos con otros.
Règlement des différends
Les Membres de l’OMC soumettent des différends lorsqu’ils considèrent qu’il est porté atteinte à leurs droits au titre des accords commerciaux. Le règlement des différends relève de la compétence de l’Organe de règlement des différends.
Proyección exterior
La OMC mantiene un diálogo regular con la comunidad empresarial, las organizaciones no gubernamentales, los parlamentarios, otras organizaciones internacionales, los medios de comunicación y el público en general, con el fin de aumentar la cooperación y dar a conocer mejor las cuestiones comerciales.
Negociaciones y deliberaciones comerciales
Para cambiar las normas que rigen el comercio es necesario el acuerdo de los Miembros de la OMC, que deben llegar a un consenso mediante negociaciones.
Report by Guyana
Guyana welcomes this fourth round of its Trade Policy Review (TPR) by the World Trade Organization (WTO), Trade Policy Review Body. The Government of Guyana acknowledges the virtual consultations with WTO Secretariat staff during the preparations of the TPR and appreciates the valuable work undertaken under difficult circumstances due to the COVID’19 pandemic restrictions.
Duodécima Conferencia Ministerial de la OMC: visión general
La Duodécima Conferencia Ministerial de la OMC tuvo lugar del 12 al 17 de junio de 2022 en la sede de la OMC en Ginebra. Aunque en un principio estaba previsto que se celebrara en diciembre de 2021, la Conferencia se aplazó como consecuencia de la pandemia.
Introduction
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.
Négociations et discussions commerciales
Les règles commerciales ne peuvent pas être modifiées sans l’accord des Membres de l’OMC, qui doivent parvenir à une décision par la voie de négociations.
Introduction
L’objectif général de l’OMC est d’aider ses Membres à mettre le commerce au service du relèvement des niveaux de vie, de la création d’emplois et de l’amélioration des conditions de vie des populations. L’OMC administre le système mondial de règles commerciales et aide les pays en développement à renforcer leur capacité commerciale. Elle offre aussi une enceinte permettant à ses Membres de négocier des accords commerciaux et de régler les problèmes commerciaux qui les opposent.
Solución de diferencias
Los Miembros de la plantean OMC diferencias ante la Organización si consideran que se están infringiendo los derechos que les corresponden en virtud de los acuerdos comerciales. Se encarga de resolver las diferencias el Órgano de Solución de Diferencias.
Soutien au développement et renforcement des capacités commerciales
L’OMC s’efforce d’aider les pays en développement à renforcer leurs capacités commerciales et leur accorde des délais plus longs pour mettre en oeuvre les accords commerciaux. Des centaines de cours de formation sont organisés chaque année à l’intention des fonctionnaires de ces pays.
Los Miembros
La OMC tiene actualmente 164 Miembros. El proceso de adhesión de los futuros Miembros promueve la integración de estos en la economía mundial.
Apoyo al desarrollo y creación de capacidad comercial
Uno de los objetivos de la OMC es contribuir a la creación de capacidad comercial en los países en desarrollo, a los que concede un plazo más largo para aplicar los acuerdos comerciales. Cada año se organizan cientos de cursos de formación para funcionarios de países en desarrollo.
Aplicación y vigilancia
Los distintos consejos y comités de la OMC velan por que los Acuerdos de la OMC se apliquen de manera adecuada. Todos los Miembros de la OMC se someten periódicamente a un examen de sus políticas y prácticas comerciales.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Guyana is a relatively small economy traditionally based on mining of gold and bauxite, and exportation of sugar and rice. Furthermore, Guyana is now also an exporter of crude oil, the result of successive major offshore discoveries beginning in 2015. In 2020, oil exports swung Guyana’s trade balance into surplus and thereby mitigated the otherwise significant negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the domestic economy. GDP per capita has been rising steadily and reached nearly USD 6,900 in 2020.
Communication
L’OMC entretient un dialogue régulier avec les milieux d’affaires, les organisations non gouvernementales, les parlementaires, les autres organisations internationales, les médias et le grand public pour renforcer la coopération et faire mieux connaître les questions commerciales.
Mise en œuvre et suivi
Les différents conseils et comités de l’OMC veillent à ce que les Accords de l’OMC soient convenablement mis en oeuvre. Les politiques et pratiques commerciales de tous les Membres de l’OMC font l’objet d’un examen périodique.
Secrétariat et budget
Le Secrétariat de l’OMC emploie plus de 600 personnes au bénéfice d’un contrat régulier qui coordonnent les activités de l’Organisation. Le budget annuel de l’OMC est financé pour l’essentiel par les contributions des Membres.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a high-income country, with a population of about 1.5 million and a GDP per capita of USD 23,300, according to the World Bank. As a result of long-standing diversification efforts, including under Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, the services sector has become the backbone of the economy, accounting for nearly 60% of real GDP in 2020. Nevertheless, petroleum products alone still account for some 18.3% of GDP, with significant contributions to government revenue, exports, and other economic activities. The manufacturing sector (14.2% of GDP) is energy-intensive and the second largest contributor to non-oil GDP, while agricultural activities remain marginal (0.3% of GDP). The economy continues to rely heavily on foreign labour, although sustained efforts to increase the employment share of Bahrainis have borne fruit. Heavily involved in economic activities, the public sector, including stateowned enterprises, continues to be one of the largest employers. Bahrain maintains a fixed exchange rate regime, with a conventional peg of the national currency, the Bahraini dinar, to the US dollar.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Since accession to the WTO in 2013, Tajikistan has been following a relatively open trade and investment regime. The country has strong growth potential, underpinned by its abundant hydro resources, young population, mountainous landscape and the attractiveness for tourists, and its proximity to large markets in the region. Challenges arise mainly at the sectoral level, particularly obstacles in the financial system and infrastructure bottlenecks, and also in attracting more private investment, diversifying and upgrading exports, and creating non-farm employment opportunities.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Mauritius is a small island with a population of close to 1.3 million people. About two decades of liberalization reforms have transformed Mauritius into an almost dutyfree economy. Its openness to trade has been one of the reasons behind its economic success, also supported by a long tradition of parliamentary democracy, good governance, and strong institutions. The country relies heavily on imports for its industrial inputs and for a large share of its food supplies, while maintaining the general openness of its services markets to foreign competition. Its trade in goods and services as a share of GDP declined from 105% in 2014 to 90% in 2019 and 76% in 2020. The fall in 2020 was mainly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the decline between 2014 and 2019 reflects, inter alia, the continuation of the downward trend in merchandise exports, a stagnation of services trade, while Mauritius was registering steady domestic growth. The EU remains Mauritius’ main trading partner. South Africa and the United Kingdom are the other main destinations of merchandise exports, while the country imports many of its manufactured goods, including petroleum products, from China, the United Arab Emirates, and India.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Since the Republic of Korea’s previous Trade Policy Review in 2016, relatively strong economic fundamentals and solid buffers to external shocks have helped the country maintain macroeconomic stability and ensure the resilience of its export-led economy. Korea was able to weather the COVID-19 pandemic comparatively well, supported by a comprehensive set of fiscal, monetary, financial, and other measures. During the review period, Korea’s annual GDP growth peaked at 3.2% (2017) and progressively declined to -0.9% (2020) due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a considerably milder contraction than in most other advanced economies. Annual average GDP growth rate for 2016-20 stood at 2.1%, a further decline compared to previous performances (averaging 2.9% in 2012-15 and 4.6% over 2001-11). Developments in Korea’s position among the most competitive economies in the world involved variable labour and total factor productivity (TFP) growth, but also weaknesses in areas where some reforms have been under way. Whereas headline inflation remained below target and dropped progressively to 0.5% (about a fourth of its 2017 peak level) in 2020, the unemployment rate rose slightly (4%) in 2020, reflecting weak private job creation and the impact of the pandemic.
Les Membres
L’OMC compte actuellement 164 Membres. Le processus d’accession à l’Organisation de nouveaux Membres favorise leur intégration dans l’économie mondiale.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Switzerland and Liechtenstein are among the top high-per capita income countries in the world and are very well integrated into international trade. They both benefit from strong democratic institutions, educated populations, and a specialization in value-added production. Their fiscal situation is sound and their unemployment traditionally low. Services account for about three quarters of the Swiss economy. One particularity of the Liechtenstein economy is the importance of manufacturing, representing 40% of GDP in 2019. During the review period, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, real GDP growth in Switzerland was positive, ranging from 1.2% in 2019 to 2.9% in 2018. GDP growth in Liechtenstein tends to be more volatile because of the small size of the economy. After three years of real GDP growth, Liechtenstein’s GDP contracted by 2.3% in 2019. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, real GDP growth fell by 2.4% in 2020 in Switzerland, and further in Liechtenstein. Thanks to strong financial buffers and a prompt response by the Governments, the pandemic is not expected to have negative effects on long-term economic prospects.