Trade monitoring
The trade situation in 2008-09
Signs of a sharp deterioration in the global economy were evident in the second half of 2008 and the first few months of 2009 as world trade flows sagged and production slumped, first in developed economies and then in developing countries. Although world trade grew by 2 per cent in volume terms over the course of 2008, it tapered off in the last six months of the year and was well down on the 6 per cent volume increase posted in 2007. World output measured by real gross domestic product (GDP) also slowed appreciably, falling to 1.7 per cent in 2008 from 3.5 per cent a year earlier.
Foreword
The World Trade Report 2006 is the fourth in a series launched in 2002. As in previous years, the present Report has taken up a current issue in trade policy. This year we have looked at subsidies. The contribution we hope to make with these Reports is to aid understanding of complex trade policy issues facing governments. This is not intended primarily as a prescriptive Report, but rather as an invitation to deeper reflection, and it is aimed not just at policy-makers but also the public they represent and the individuals and organizations that actively seek to influence government policies. In addition to the core topic, the Report also takes a brief look at recent developments in trade and discusses some salient features of recent trade developments or a particular aspect of trade. This year, the Report looks briefly at trade in textiles and clothing, flows of international receipts and payments of royalties and license fees, trends in the trade of least-developed countries, and the impact of natural disasters and terrorist acts on international trade flows.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Mario Matus at the Trade Policy Review of Canada 20 and 22 June 2011
This ninth Trade Policy Review of Canada has given us a better understanding of the country’s recent economic, including trade, policy developments and enabled us collectively to measure the challenges Canada currently faces in maintaining its economic prosperity. Our candid discussion has proved more engaging thanks to the full and open participation of the Canadian delegation, led by Mr. Robert Ready, Director-General of the Intellectual Property Office and the Office for Trade in Services, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and by the insightful remarks made by the discussant, H.E. John Adank of New Zealand, as well as active participation by numerous Members.
Comercio de servicios
Las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones (TIC) ocuparon un lugar destacado en la labor del Consejo del Comercio de Servicios en 2011. Los debates se centraron en el comercio electrónico y los servicios de telefonía móvil en itinerancia internacional. El Consejo concluyó el tercer examen de las exenciones del trato de nación más favorecida (NMF), y prosiguió el examen de sectores de servicios y modos de suministro específicos, sobre la base de notas de antecedentes elaboradas por la Secretaría de la OMC.