Trade monitoring
Report by Zimbabwe
Since its last Trade Policy Review in 1994, Zimbabwe experienced significant developments of both socio-economic and political nature that have impacted on both formulation and application of its Trade Policy. On the socio-economic front, the imposition of sanctions by sections of the international community has massively impacted negatively on the Zimbabwean economy. The sanctions include the enactment of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) in 2001 by the United States of America (USA), sanctions by the European Union (EU) in 2002 as well as Canada and Australia and their allies.
Aid for Trade as a catalyst for trade facilitation: A Moroccan perspective
This chapter aims to highlight the potential role of Aid for Trade (AfT) in trade facilitation, reducing the cost of trade and improving the trade performance of Morocco. The chapter finds that AfT is a fundamental lever for facilitating commercial exchanges and a main vehicle for promoting regional integration and effective integration of developing countries into global value chains. AfT helps developing countries to increase exports of goods and services, integrate into the multilateral trading system and take advantage of the progressive liberalization and expansion of market access. If it is rationally oriented, AfT will enhance the competitiveness of exports and enable Moroccan companies to go upmarket; in addition, AfT would consolidate the reforms of trade policy in Morocco to streamline international transactions and increase the attractiveness of the Moroccan economy to investors.
Introduction
Subsidies are one of many policy instruments subject to rules in the multilateral trading system, but they present more complex issues for policy-makers than many other instruments subject to GATT /WTO rules. One reason for this is that subsidies can be defined in different ways. Another is that that they are used in pursuit of a wide array of objectives. Even where they are not aimed at trade, they can affect trade flows. The kinds of subsidies of primary concern to this Report are those that impart an advantage to some domestic producers and thereby affect trade. The challenging task of determining which sorts of subsidies are problematic from the perspective of the trading system, and what might be done about them, has occupied an important place on the agenda of the WTO /GATT system.