Doha Merchandise Trade Reform: What Is at Stake for Developing Countries?

The World Trade Organization (WTO), established on 1 January 1995 as a successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), has played an important role in promoting global free trade. The implementation of its agreements, however, has not been smooth and easy. In fact this has been particularly difficult for developing countries, since they are expected to be on a level playing field with the developed countries. After more than a decade of existence, it is worth looking at the WTO’s impact on developing countries, particularly Muslim countries. This paper focuses mainly on the performance of merchandise trade of Muslim countries after they joined the WTO. I first analyze their participation in world merchandise trade and highlight their trade characteristics in general. This is then followed by a short discussion on the implications of WTO agreements on Muslim countries and some recommendations on how to face this challenge.

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Finishing Global Farm Trade Reform: implications for developing countries

10.20851/agtrade ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Kym Anderson

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Trade Reform

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Agricultural Trade Reform and Poverty Reduction in Developing Countries

10.1596/1813-9450-3396 ◽

2004 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kym Anderson

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Agricultural Trade ◽

Trade Reform

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The structural characteristics of world trade and the merchandise exports of Serbia

Economic Annals ◽

10.2298/eka0981055k ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 54 (181) ◽

pp. 55-91

Author(s):

Radovan Kovacevic

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

World Trade ◽

New Technologies ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Added Value ◽

Production Networks ◽

International Production ◽

Starting Point ◽

Merchandise Trade

This paper analyses the world merchandise trade structure and the structure of Serbian merchandise exports. The analysis shows that the prominent characteristic of post-World War II world trade is more dynamic growth in the volume of manufactured goods as compared to agricultural goods. Due to the lessening share of agricultural products world merchandise trade has decreased and rapid industrialization has been fostered in developing countries. An increased share for developing countries followed the developed countries' decreasing share in world manufacturing trade. The developing countries' increased share was strongest in telecom and office equipment exports. These sectors are characterized by production fragmentation, which is being realized by transnational companies. Serbia, like the other South East European countries, has not yet managed to significantly integrate into international production networks. Serbia's most important exports are manufactured products with a low level of added value . In addition, Serbia still has a high share of primary products in its exports. A higher share of exports of goods and services in the gross domestic products (GDP) cannot be achieved without increasing imports of new technologies and equipment, i.e. without a higher investment share of the GDP. The main conclusion of this article is that the creation of a favorable investment climate and an increase in Serbia's international credit rating are the preconditions for stronger foreign direct investment (FDI), which would be the main channel for restructuring in the real sector. Creation of new small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through greenfield investment and their integration into the international production networks is the starting point for the restructuring of Serbian industrial production and merchandise export, i.e. the way of increasing the share of merchandise exports in the GDP.

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International Agricultural Trade Reform and Developing Countries: The Case of the European Community

International and Comparative Law Quarterly ◽

10.1017/s0020589300062205 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 632-646

Author(s):

Joseph A. McMahon

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Economic Performance ◽

Agricultural Policy ◽

Poverty Alleviation ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Agricultural Trade ◽

Trade Reform ◽

Food Imports ◽

Sustainable Economic Growth

We are all aware that agriculture is important to developing countries as a source of income, employment and export earnings. To a far greater extent than in the OECD countries, agriculture it central to the economic performance of developing countries and the livelihood of their inhabitants. Rural societies in developing countries are directly dependent on the agricultural sector and urban dwellers rely on agriculture to provide food security and sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, many developing countries heavily rely on the export earnings or are highly dependent on food imports. Given the fact that the poorest and most threatened communities and countries are typically the most highly dependent, the resolution of pressing global agricultural policy and trade issues is critical to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

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