Trade monitoring
WTO Data Day
The first edition of WTO ‘Data Day’ took place on 18–19 May 2009. This inter-agency initiative aimed to raise awareness on the use and interpretation of trade-related statistical data, familiarize users with data applications, draw attention to continuing needs for data, and promote coherence and cooperation among international agencies that manage data.
Aid for Trade
Aid for Trade continues to mobilize international resources. Although commitments slipped 14 per cent to US$ 41.5 billion in 2011, according to the latest available figures, they are still 57 per cent above the 2002-05 baseline period. This increase continues to be “additional” – that is, new money and not funds switched from other aid commitments. The Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade in July focused on “connecting to value chains”. In December, the WTO’s Ministerial Conference reiterated the mandate given to the Director-General to pursue actions in support of Aid for Trade.
Contact with the business community
In 2013, the WTO undertook a number of initiatives to strengthen WTO relations with business, including launching on the WTO website an area dedicated to the business community. The 2013 Public Forum, “Expanding trade through innovation and the digital economy”, attracted significant business interest. The WTO co-organized the first dedicated regional seminar for the private sector in the Arab region. The business community was well represented in Bali at the WTO’s Ninth Ministerial Conference.
Prix du meilleur article décerné par l'OMC à de jeunes économistes
En avril 2009, le Secrétariat de l'OMC a créé le Prix du meilleur article décerné par l'OMC à de jeunes économistes. Ce prix, qui est assorti d'une récompense de 5 000 CHF, vise à promouvoir la recherche économique de haute qualité sur l'OMC et les questions la concernant, et à renforcer la relation entre l'OMC et les milieux universitaires.
Acknowledgements
This publication has been prepared under the direction of Hubert Escaith, Chief Statistician. Andreas Maurer coordinated the statistical report, and Vuddha Meach supervised the overall table, chart and map production, with the assistance of Claudio Nicolai Wewel and Ying Yan. The statistical research and data compilation were conducted by Barbara d’Andrea-Adrian, Christophe Degain, Florian Eberth, Joscelyn Magdeleine, Yann Marcus, Ninez Piezas-Jerbi and Bekele Tamenu.
Specific notes for selected economies
Beginning with the 2002 report, EU data compiled according to national statistical practices have been replaced, starting 1993, with data compiled by Eurostat in accordance with EU legislation. The concepts and definitions adopted by the EU are in line with the United Nations’ International Trade Statistics, Concepts and Definitions, Series M, N° 52, Revision 2. As a result, the conceptual differences between EU member states’ data have been substantially reduced. Moreover, for the EU as a whole, Eurostat data are more timely than the previous source, thus reducing substantially the amount of estimation included in the EU aggregate.
Prospects for multilateral trade cooperation
This section explores the relevance of current trade rules – as well as the need for new approaches to trade cooperation – in light of the forces that are currently re-shaping international trade. It suggests that the multilateral trading system will need to adjust to developments in trade and in the trading environment – as it has done repeatedly in the past – and reviews proposals for updating the WTO’s agenda and governance. The section starts with a short overview of key trade developments within the broader socio-economic context – especially the rise of global supply chains, the general shift of trade power away from the West and towards Asia and other emerging economies, as well as the changing nature, composition and direction of trade. It then highlights some of the main challenges facing the WTO and how they could be addressed.