Trade monitoring
Introduction
There are a number of ways of looking at the World Trade Organization: as an organization for trade-opening, a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements, and a place for them to settle trade disputes. It operates the global system of trade rules and helps developing countries to build their trade capacity. Essentially, the WTO is a place where member governments try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other.
Concluding remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos González at the Trade Policy Review of Paraguay, 20 and 22 September 2017
This fourth Trade Policy Review has provided us with the opportunity to deepen our understanding of Paraguay’s trade and investment policies, and in particular, of the several reforms and changes introduced since the last Review in 2011. I would like to thank the Paraguayan delegation led by Ambassador Luis Fernando Ávalos, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Integration, for their constructive engagement throughout this exercise. I would also like to thank our discussant, Ambassador Héctor Casanueva of Chile, for his interesting and thought-provoking remarks, as well as the 27 delegations which have taken the floor the first day, for their active participation in this review.
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.
Technical cooperation and training
The Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) strengthened the content and quality of WTO technical assistance programmes and reinforced key aspects by providing, for example, stronger results management and implementing a progressive learning strategy. The WTO undertook 281 technical assistance activities in 2013. Although the total was down on 2012, the number of participants rose due to the growing use of e-learning tools, with an increasing focus on least-developed countries (LDCs) and Africa.
Report by the European Union
Trade makes a vital contribution to the EU’s economic and external policy and we must make sure that it continues to deliver real benefits for citizens. For this to happen, the multilateral trading system – the very basis of global trade – must be maintained and strengthened” European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström.
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.