Trade monitoring
Introducción
Los nuevos Perfiles comerciales contienen información detallada sobre las corrientes del comercio de mercancías, incluidos los principales productos con que comercia cada economía, una sección más amplia sobre el comercio de servicios comerciales y estadísticas sobre propiedad intelectual. Esta información, que está a disposición de los Miembros de la OMC, los observadores ante la Organización y otras economías determinadas, proviene de múltiples fuentes, como las estadísticas aduaneras, las cuentas nacionales, las estadísticas sobre la balanza de pagos, el comercio de servicios de filiales extranjeras, las inversiones extranjeras directas (IED) y la propiedad industrial. Los datos se han obtenido de la Secretaría de la OMC y de fuentes externas. Se presentan en un formato normalizado y fácil de visualizar, para su rápida consulta.
Overview of developments in the international trading environment
Although the path of world trade growth has been uneven in the past few years (contraction in 1998, rebound in 1999 and 2000, followed by a slowdown in 2001), the fact that trade continued to expand faster than output is indicative of the increasing openness of national economies. Part of this development is due to the gradual but continued trend towards more liberal trade policies around the world. Fears that the failure of the Third Ministerial Meeting in Seattle to agree on an agenda for a new trade round would lead to a resurgence of protectionism have not, by and large, materialized. This is a tribute to the good sense of governments in conducting their trade policies. But credit also goes to the strength of the multilateral rules under the WTO, as well as commitments made under regional trade arrangements, which have made it more difficult to take protectionist measures. Members also agreed at their Ministerial Meeting in Doha, in November 2001, to build on these achievements and to put in place a comprehensive work programme to strengthen further the multilateral trading system. The recent accessions of the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Taipei as the 143rd and 144th Members, respectively, of the WTO, will further strengthen the role of the multilateral trading system and the import of the upcoming negotiations.
Relations with non-governmental organizations
In 2015, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had many opportunities to voice their views on trade issues and received regular updates on WTO activities. NGOs participated in a number of WTO events, such as the Public Forum, the Fifth Global Review of Aid for Trade and WTO 20th anniversary activities, as well as at the Tenth Ministerial Conference in Nairobi. The WTO organized regional workshops for NGOs and provided regular briefings on trade negotiations and other issues.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Since its previous Trade Policy Review in 2014, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu’s (Chinese Taipei) relatively strong fundamentals and well developed outward-looking economy have helped maintain macro-financial stability and ensure the resilience of its export-led economy. During the review period, annual GDP growth ranged from 0.8% (2015) to 4% (2014), and its annual average rate for the period 2014-17 stood at 2.3%, a major slowdown compared to previous performance (averaging 4.3% over 2002-13). Monetary and fiscal stimulus measures are being used to spur economic recovery. Despite some innovation- and labour-related concerns, Chinese Taipei has maintained its position among the world’s most competitive economies, with among the highest living standards, while registering a slight decline in income inequality. Weaknesses in some areas are being addressed via ongoing reforms. Whereas inflation evolved cyclically (0.6% in 2017), the unemployment rate dropped progressively (3.8% in 2017).
L’année en bref
À l’issue de la neuvième Conférence ministérielle de l’OMC, tenue à Bali à la fin de 2013, les Ministres ont approuvé le « paquet de Bali », un ensemble de décisions portant sur la facilitation des échanges, l’agriculture et le développement. À l’occasion de cette Conférence, les Ministres ont aussi approuvé l’accession du Yémen à l’OMC. La RDP lao et le Tadjikistan avaient achevé leur processus d’accession plus tôt dans l’année, portant ainsi le nombre de Membres de l’Organisation à 159. En septembre, M. Roberto Azevêdo est devenu le sixième Directeur général de l’OMC, succédant à M. Pascal Lamy.