Trade monitoring

This section presents the importance of trade in services in the global economy by using an experimental dataset, developed by the WTO, called Trade in Services by Modes of Supply (TISMOS). This dataset captures services supplied through the four modes of supply categorized in the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); traditional services trade statistics cover only three of the GATS modes of supply. This section also discusses the participation of developing economies, including least-developed countries (LDCs), the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the role of women in services trade. Finally, the section explores the content of services value-added in international global value chains.

The third joint Review of Switzerland and Liechtenstein has been informative, open, and thought-provoking. The delegation of Switzerland, led by Her Excellency Ambassador Ineichen-Fleisch, and the delegation of Liechtenstein, led by His Excellency Ambassador Frick, have been highly cooperative. We have greatly benefited from the perceptive remarks by our discussant, Mr. Faizel Ismail of South Africa, and the active involvement of many Members.

This year’s World Trade Report takes an in-depth fresh look at preferential trade. The choice of this topic reflects two significant trends in international trade relations, both of which carry far-reaching implications for the multilateral trading system. The first and most readily evident of these is the continuing growth and increasing prominence of preferential trade agreements (PTAs). In the last two decades, the number of PTAs has increased more than four-fold, to around 300 active agreements today. There is no reason to assume that PTAs will cease to grow in number or that they will not form part of the long-term tapestry of international trade relations. Secondly, the content of PTAs continues to evolve and deepen, reflecting important changes in the world economy. This too raises vital questions about the focus and reach of the WTO, and the value assigned by governments to globally-based trade relations.

En 2016, l’Organe d’examen des politiques commerciales (OEPC) a examiné les politiques et pratiques commerciales de 23 Membres de l’OMC. Depuis sa création en 1989 jusqu’à la fin de 2016, il a procédé à 452 examens visant 153 des 164 Membres de l’OMC. En 2016, les Membres sont convenus d’apporter de nouvelles modifications au Mécanisme d’examen des politiques commerciales, notamment d’ajuster la fréquence des examens.

En 2011 se celebró por primera vez en la OMC la Conferencia Parlamentaria anual sobre la OMC, organizada por la Unión Interparlamentaria y el Parlamento Europeo. La Secretaría de la OMC siguió distribuyendo su boletín periódico a un número cada vez mayor de parlamentarios. También organizó dos talleres regionales para parlamentarios en cooperación con asociados regionales.