Trade monitoring
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.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr Mario Matus at the Trade Policy Review of Paraguay 27 and 29 April 2011
This third Trade Policy Review of Paraguay has provided an opportunity for us to improve our understanding of recent developments in its trade and trade-related policies, and the areas where there is room for improvement. We are thankful for the active participation of the Paraguayan delegation, headed by Ambassador Manuel María Cáceres, Vice-Minister of Economic Relations and Integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; our thanks also extend to Ambassador Federico González, Permanent Representative of Paraguay in Geneva, and to the rest of the Paraguayan delegation. Our discussions have also benefited from the insightful remarks of our discussant, Ambassador Fernando de Mateo, and many interventions by Members. The answers provided by the Paraguayan authorities to the questions submitted in advance were very much appreciated.
Dispute settlement activity in 2014
Dispute settlement had one of its most active years in 2014 since the inception of the WTO in 1995, with 34 active panel, compliance and arbitration proceedings and six appeals. A highly anticipated dispute against Australia’s tobacco plain packaging requirements got under way. The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), which met 14 times, received 14 requests for consultations – the first stage in the dispute settlement process – and established 13 panels.
Conclusions
Au cours des dernières décennies, les services sont devenus la pierre angulaire de l’économie mondiale et la composante la plus dynamique du commerce international. Ils sont de plus en plus faciles à échanger, en grande partie grâce au numérique. De la formation en ligne aux cabinets juridiques virtuels, la technologie pénètre tous les secteurs de services, transformant les services qui nécessitaient habituellement une proximité physique en services marchands fournis à distance. Le commerce, longtemps dominé par les échanges de marchandises, fait de plus en plus intervenir les services, un processus qui transforme l’économie mondiale.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Mexico’s economic growth accelerated over the period 2012-2016: GDP grew at an annual average rate of 2.5%, higher than the 1.4% recorded over the period 2007-2011, while per capita GDP rose to approximately US$10,000. Economic growth has been driven both by stronger domestic demand and increased exports of manufactures to the United States. Inflation remained under control, within a range of 2% to 4% annually, corresponding to the fluctuation band determined by the Bank of Mexico.