Development, Trade, and the WTO: A Handbook

Developing countries are increasingly confronted with the need to address trade policy related issues in international agreements, most prominently the World Trade Organization (WTO). New WTO negotiations on a broad range of subjects were launched in November 2001. Determining whether and how international trade agreements can support economic development is a major challenge. Stakeholders in developing countries must be informed on the issues and understand how their interests can be pursued through international cooperation.This handbook offers guidance on the design of trade policy reform, surveys key disciplines and the functioning of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and discusses numerous issues and options that confront developing countries in using international cooperation to improve domestic policy and obtain access to export markets. Many of the issues discussed are also relevant in the context of regional integration agreements.Includes two CD-ROMs: CD-ROM 1 with 'A Dataset on Trade and Production, 1976-99' by Alessandro Nicita and Marcelo Olarreaga; and CD-ROM 2 with 'Applied Trade Policy for Developing Countries: Outline, Content, and Readings for a Short Course' by Jaime de Melo and Marc Bacchetta.

International trade is a matter of vital importance for developing countries, since it can stimulate growth and contribute to poverty reduction. Trade is, however, an increasingly complex issue, and policymakers in developing countries will need to understand the many ramifications of multilateral trade agreements if their countries are to benefit from this engine of growth. Development, Trade, and the WTO summarizes the economics of sound trade policy, explains behind-the-border regulatory issues, and presents a range of perspectives on trade-related issues. It also contains two CD-ROMs with relevant data and training material. Policymakers, trade negotiators, indeed any reader interested in international trade, will find this book invaluable.

"This is not merely a timely publication, it is a very important one. It addresses a vital series of questions through contributors of the highest caliber. Trade in general and the WTO in particular are essential building blocks for a better world. Interdependence, however, can only develop effectively within a rule-based system. That fact is demonstrated in this book." Peter Sutherland former Director-General of GATT and the WTO

"This handbook is a wonderful resource for anyone and everyone who works on trade policy in developing countries. It covers every aspect of trade affected by multilateral rules. It provides alternative perspectives on controversial issues, allowing readers to make up their own minds. And it does all this in a superbly concise and clear way." Adrian Wood, Chief Economist, U.K. Department for International Development