Trade monitoring
Organe d'appel
En 2010, il a été fait appel de trois rapports de groupes spéciaux auprès de l'Organe d'appel, sur un total de six rapports pour lesquels le délai de 60 jours prévu pour l'adoption ou l'engagement d'une procédure d'appel expirait pendant l'année. Ces trois appels concernaient des procédures de groupes spéciaux initiaux. Il n'y a eu aucun appel concernant la mise en conformité avec des décisions et recommandations antérieures.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
This is the 14th Trade Policy Review of the United States. Since the last Review in 2016, the focus of U.S. trade policy has shifted to adopting policies that are intended to support its national security and strengthen its economy. These priorities are reflected in the President’s 2018 Trade Policy Agenda, which also calls for negotiating better trade deals, enforcing U.S. trade laws and U.S. rights under existing trade agreements, and reforming the multilateral trading system.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Eloi Laourou of Benin at the Trade Policy Review of Hong Kong, China, 26 and 28 November 2018
This eighth Trade Policy Review of Hong Kong, China has enabled us to take a closer look at its trade and economic policies and to deepen our understanding of developments in those policies since its previous Review in 2014. I would like to thank the delegation of Hong Kong, China, led by Ms Salina Yan, Director-General of Trade and Industry, the discussant, Ambassador Alfredo Suescum of Panama, for his insightful contribution, and the 37 Members who made interventions. Timely responses from Hong Kong, China to the large number of questions were highly appreciated. We look forward to any additional replies no later than one month after this meeting.
Fonds pour l'application des normes et le développement du commerce
Les contributions au FANDC se sont élevées à 4,3 millions de dollars EU en 2010 alors que le financement de départ apporté par la Banque mondiale et l'OMC en 2003 était de 300 000 dollars EU. Dix-neuf donateurs contribuent aujourd'hui au Fonds d'affectation spéciale. Outre les principaux partenaires, les organisations qui y participent sont notamment le Centre du commerce international (ITC), l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour le développement industriel (ONUDI) et la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le commerce et le développement (CNUCED); des donateurs et des pays en développement participent également au Fonds.
The WTO and developing countries
This section discusses a number of the WTO’s features which help underpin development and explain their economic rationale. It is divided into four subsections. The first one illustrates how the WTO has been useful in helping developing countries take advantage of and manage the challenges arising from the four trends portrayed in the previous sections. The second subsection discusses, from an economic perspective, the role that commitments and flexibilities in trade agreements play for development. Economic literature supports the view that WTO rules and disciplines promote growth by providing the predictable environment that businesses require to flourish. At the same time, it justifies the existence of WTO flexibilities, including through special and differential (S&D) treatment, on the basis of market failures and the different ability of WTO members to implement obligations. The third subsection describes the specific rules and disciplines that specifically apply to developing countries. The final subsection illustrates the institutional features particularly relevant for developing country members.
Obstáculos comerciales a la participación de las pymes en el comercio
En la sección D se examinan los principales obstáculos comerciales a la participación de las pymes en el comercio. Una de las conclusiones más destacadas de esta sección es que todos los costos comerciales, ya sean fijos o variables, repercuten negativamente en la capacidad de las pymes para participar en el comercio más de lo que lo hacen en el caso de las grandes empresas. Debido a que las pymes son más sensibles a los obstáculos comerciales que las grandes empresas, la eliminación de esos obstáculos es más beneficiosa para las primeras. En consecuencia, es importante entender cuáles son los principales obstáculos.
Secretariat and budget
The WTO Secretariat has 627 regular staff representing 69 nationalities. Renovation work began in mid-2008 on the renovation and extension of the WTO building. Work is expected to be completed by end-2012. The WTO derives most of the income for its annual budget, which totalled CHF 189,257,600 in 2008, from contributions by its 153 members.
Contactos con los medios de comunicación
En 2014, se celebraron en Ginebra más reuniones de información para periodistas que el año anterior, lo cual demuestra el continuo interés que muestran los medios de comunicación por los esfuerzos de los Miembros para aplicar las Decisiones adoptadas en la Conferencia Ministerial de Bali celebrada en 2013, incluida la relativa a la facilitación del comercio. El número de periodistas inscritos para acceder a la sala de prensa del sitio Web de la OMC ascendió a 2.347, lo que supone un incremento del 6%. Además, la OMC organizó diversas actividades de formación para periodistas.
Les engagements en matière de politique commerciale et les mesures contingentes
Les accords commerciaux définissent les règles régissant la conduite de la politique commerciale. Ces règles doivent établir un équilibre entre les engagements et la flexibilité. Un excès de flexibilité peut affaiblir la valeur des engagements, mais un manque de flexibilité peut rendre les règles politiquement inapplicables. Cette tension entre des engagements crédibles et une flexibilité n’est jamais loin de la surface dans les négociations commerciales. Par exemple, la question d’un “mécanisme de sauvegarde spéciale” (c’est à dire la question de savoir dans quelle mesure les pays en développement pourraient protéger leurs agriculteurs en cas de poussée des importations) a été cruciale dans les discussions qui ont eu lieu lors de la miniréunion ministérielle de juillet 2008, qui visait à l’adoption des modalités de négociation - ou d’un schéma final - pour l’agriculture et pour l’accès aux marchés pour les produits non agricoles (AMNA).
Government Procurement Agreement
Ukraine and Moldova joined the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) in 2016. Good progress was made on the accessions of Australia, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan while discussions continued on China’s accession. Russia applied to join the GPA. Phase II of the e-GPA web portal was completed, providing a single entry point for market access information. The WTO Secretariat continued to provide technical assistance to developing countries and strengthened its partnerships with other international organizations.
Mensaje del Director General
La disponibilidad de estadísticas sólidas apuntala todos y cada uno de los aspectos de la labor de la OMC. Al facilitar información detallada sobre la estructura de los aranceles, las medidas no arancelarias, las corrientes comerciales y el crecimiento económico, por ejemplo, nuestros estadísticos contribuyen a mejorar la transparencia de las políticas comerciales y proporcionan a los responsables de la formulación de las políticas los conocimientos analíticos que necesitan. La presente publicación, el informe Estadísticas del comercio internacional, es parte esencial de este esfuerzo. Quiero expresar mi agradecimiento a todos aquellos que han participación en la elaboración de este amplio informe.
Introduction
These Trade Profiles combine information on trade flows and trade policy measures of WTO members, observers and other selected economies.
Report by Malaysia
This is Malaysia’s Seventh Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Trade has historically been an engine of growth and continues to play an important role in the Malaysian economy. Malaysia’s trade policy is aimed at creating a free and fair trading environment with a vision to make the country one of the most competitive trading nation by 2020.
Estimating the benefits of the Trade Facilitation Agreement
This section provides quantification of the various channels through which trade facilitation reform, and in particular implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), can benefit the global economy. First of all, estimates of how much the implementation of the TFA could reduce trade costs are provided, and the group of countries and regions that may see the biggest reductions is identified. Further, estimates of the effects of the TFA on exports, export diversification and GDP, calculated using standard economic approaches, are presented. In order to provide a range of estimates, various implementation scenarios are considered. The differentiated impact of trade facilitation is analysed in order to provide insights on how the aggregate benefits of TFA implementation are distributed across country groups (developed, developing and least-developed countries), enterprises and product groups. Finally, the induced effects of trade facilitation on foreign direct investment, border revenue collection and reduction in trade-related and other forms of corruption are examined.
Tableaux des statistiques
Les tableaux statistiques ci-dessous montrent les tendances à long terme et les ventilations plus détaillées des produits de base et des pays d’origine et de destination.
Trends in international trade
A comprehensive and fruitful analysis of the shaping factors of international trade and their implications for trade policy cannot be performed without having a clear idea of the evolution of trade patterns over time. This part of the Report analyses past, present and future trends in international trade and economic activity. It begins with a historical analysis of trade developments from pre-industrial times to the present, focusing on the key role that technology and institutions have played in the past. It then identifies and explains important trends in international trade that have emerged over the last 30 years. In doing so, the section describes who the main players are in international trade (in terms of countries or companies), what countries trade and with whom, and how the nature of trade has changed over time. Finally, it provides some illustrative simulations of possible future trade scenarios.
Comercio de servicios de transporte aéreo: Evolución reciente y asuntos de política
El transporte aéreo, al igual que los demás servicios de transporte, está relacionado con el comercio internacional de dos maneras claras. En primer lugar, el transporte aéreo es objeto de comercio como servicio por derecho propio. En segundo lugar, es un servicio intermediario fundamental para muchos otros tipos de comercio, tanto en la esfera de los bienes como en la de los servicios (por ejemplo, en el turismo). Son muchos los estudios en los que se ha destacado la importancia de una infraestructura de transporte aéreo eficiente, efectiva y fiable, especialmente en los países en desarrollo, para lograr que se materialicen los beneficios derivados del comercio (OMC, 2004). En esos estudios se destaca también la importante contribución de la aviación civil internacional al proceso de desarrollo y su influencia en las decisiones, tanto de carácter comercial como de ocupación del tiempo libre, de muchas personas. Se espera que esa importancia aumente como consecuencia de las innovaciones tecnológicas, la desreglamentación y el mayor acceso a los mercados para las empresas extranjeras, factores todos ellos que están haciendo que el transporte aéreo sea más accesible a un conjunto mayor de clientes y a una gama más amplia de países.
Acuerdo sobre Contratación Pública
En octubre de 2014 concluyeron las negociaciones sobre la adhesión de Montenegro y Nueva Zelandia al Acuerdo sobre Contratación Pública (ACP), que proporciona a esos países acceso a un mercado cuyo valor es de 1,7 billones de dólares EE.UU. Se registraron importantes novedades con respecto a la adhesión al ACP de otros Miembros de la OMC, entre ellos China, Moldova y Ucrania. Entró en vigor el Acuerdo revisado, adoptado por las Partes en el ACP en 2012 (véase la página 43). Se hizo pública una nueva herramienta automatizada de información sobre el acceso a los mercados, el “sistema e-ACP”. La Secretaría de la OMC prestó asistencia técnica de alto nivel y estrechó su colaboración con otras organizaciones internacionales.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements are due to the International Monetary Fund, the International Trade Centre, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Statistics Division, the World Bank and the World Intellectual Property Organization. The assistance of all these organizations in supplying statistics as well as other information has greatly facilitated the work of the WTO Secretariat.
Accords commerciaux régionaux
En 2012, l’OMC a reçu 37 nouvelles notifications, ce qui est beaucoup plus que les 25 reçues en 2011. Ces notifications portaient sur 23 accords commerciaux régionaux (ACR). Huit ACR étaient des accords entre des pays développés, et huit autres entre des pays développés et des pays en développement. Les sept accords restants étaient des accords entre des pays en développement. La région des Amériques est celle qui a présenté le plus grand nombre de notifications (10), suivie par la Communauté d’États indépendants (CEI) (huit).
Standards and Trade Development Facility
The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) continued to assist in the development and implementation of projects that promote compliance with international food safety, animal and plant health standards and that facilitate market access. In 2015, the five agencies, including the WTO, that run the STDF agreed to a new five-year strategy. In addition, the STDF finalized research into improving the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls.
Contact with parliamentarians
In 2014, the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade met the Director-General Roberto Azevêdo to discuss the post-Bali agenda. A parliamentary session on the theme was also held at the Public Forum in October. The WTO Secretariat continued to update parliamentarians on WTO issues. It also organized two regional workshops for Arab and Latin American parliamentarians.
La adhesión a la OMC
En 2015 Seychelles y Kazajstán pasaron a ser los Miembros 161º y 162º de la OMC. En diciembre, en la Décima Conferencia Ministerial, se aprobaron los conjuntos de documentos de la adhesión de Liberia y el Afganistán, que pasarán a ser Miembros una vez ratificados sus Protocolos de Adhesión. Estas nuevas adhesiones acercarán a la OMC a su objetivo de universalidad (actualmente, los Miembros representan el 98% del comercio mundial).
Conclusion
This Report has ranged widely. The Executive Summary attached to the beginning of the Report outlines the main areas covered and observations made. A report of this nature is itself a summary of complex issues and has to rely heavily on the more detailed and analytical work of others. References have been made in the text to this work. Many of the issues addressed here are “moving targets”, particularly where governments are constantly exercising policy options that exert an influence on outcomes and where WTO Members are actively engaged in a major trade negotiation.
Trade Policy Reviews in 2014
The WTO conducted 13 Trade Policy Reviews in 2014 to examine the trade policies and practices of 21 WTO members. The dates of the reviews and the countries covered are shown on the map. Further information, including the Chair’s concluding remarks for each review, can be found on the WTO website: www.wto.org/tpr
Le rôle du commerce et de la politique commerciale dans le processus de développement
Depuis sa création, le système commercial international a été modelé conformément à des principes conjugués au pragmatisme. Les relations commerciales ne peuvent pas être déterminées seulement sur la base de principes simples et inviolés définis et convenus d’entrée de jeu. Des considérations pratiques, des questions politiques et les expressions particulières de l’intérêt national contribuent inévitablement à déterminer les positions prises par les gouvernements. Certains commentateurs font allusion à cette réalité lorsqu’ils évoquent, à propos d’une mesure ou d’une approche adoptée par des pouvoirs publics, «de la mauvaise économie mais de la bonne politique». Cependant, la solidité et le succès historique du système commercial multilatéral reposent, en grande partie, sur la volonté des gouvernements de s’engager a priori en faveur d’un ensemble de principes et de règles étayés par des arrangements contraignants concernant le règlement des différends commerciaux.
Report by Colombia
In November 2006, on the occasion of the third Trade Policy Review of Colombia, WTO Members were informed of the rationale and objectives of Colombia’s Democratic Security Policy, designed to enhance physical safety and improve investor confidence in order to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty.
Definitions and methodology
Two systems of recording merchandise exports and imports are in common use. They are referred to as general trade and special trade and differ mainly in the way warehoused and re-exported goods are treated. General trade figures are larger than the corresponding special trade figures because the latter exclude certain trade flows, such as goods shipped through bonded warehouses.
Globalization and within-country income inequality
Since the 1980s many developed and developing countries have experienced increases in within-country inequality. The growing income gap has coincided with the period of increasing exposure of countries to globalization through increased flows of goods, services, capital and labour across international borders. These developments have instigated a large debate in the academic and policy circles as to whether globalization is responsible for the growing inequality within countries.
Report by Jamaica
For the 2011-2016 period under review, the focus of the Government of Jamaica was on economic growth and development; creating employment and maintaining fiscal prudence. Jamaica’s macro-economic policies and strategies continued to operate within the framework of Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan, which seeks to put the country on a path to achieving developed country status by 2030. Progress has been made in the implementation of the Plan, which is currently in its ninth year.
Executive summary
The report is divided into four main parts. The first provides an historical analysis of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) and a description of the current landscape. It documents the large increase in PTA activity in recent years, breaking this down by region, level of economic development, and type of integration agreement. It provides a precise estimate of how much trade in PTAs receives preferential treatment.
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.
Message du Directeur général
“L’analyse commerciale doit s’appuyer sur des données de grande qualité. C’est pourquoi l’OMC s’efforce d’améliorer constamment les outils et méthodes existants afin de refléter avec exactitude l’évolution des échanges internationaux.”
Actividad en la esfera de la solución de diferencias en 2016
El año 2016 fue el año de mayor actividad del sistema de solución de diferencias de la OMC hasta la fecha, con una media de 22 procedimientos en curso al mes. Se trata de asuntos para los que se ha establecido un Grupo Especial o se ha designado un árbitro, y en los que hay actuaciones en curso para la finalización de un informe, ya sea del Grupo Especial, de arbitraje o del Órgano de Apelación. El Órgano de Solución de Diferencias (OSD) recibió 17 solicitudes de celebración de consultas, la primera etapa del procedimiento de solución de diferencias, y estableció 8 nuevos Grupos Especiales. El sistema de solución de diferencias empezó a beneficiarse de las medidas introducidas para abordar la creciente carga de trabajo a la que tiene que hacer frente.
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.
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.