Developing countries comprise a two-thirds majority of the membership of the World Trade Organization, with nearly thirty of these classed by the UN as being among the 48 least-developed countries in the world. In order to ensure the equitable participation of these countries in the benefits of the global trading system, the GATT Uruguay Round Agreements that created the WTO accorded special and differential treatment to developing countries.
This Guide covers these provisions of the WTO Agreements, with detailed information on how developing countries can benefit from special rules governing such areas as: access to developed country markets in all major commodities and services, the dispute settlement process, trade policy review, foreign direct investment, environmental and labour standards, and technical assistance.
The Guide also offers the reader case studies on how some developing country members of the WTO (Uganda, India, and Côte d'Ivoire) are making progress in working with the obligations and the benefits provided to them by the WTO Agreements.
Foreword
Biographical Note
Members of WTO
I. The WTO and Developing Countries
II. How the WTO Helps Developing Countries
III. Outcomes of the Uruguay Round
IV. Monitoring of Trade Policies
V. Trade and Investment
VI. Electronic Commerce
VII. Trade and Competition Policy
VIII. Trade and the Environment
IX. Labour Standards
X. Agreement on Government Procurement
XI. Participation in the Trading System
XII. Developing Countries and Regional Agreements
XIII. Market Access
XIV. WTO Technical Assistance for Developing Countries
XV. WTO Provisions Related to Developing Countries
XVI. Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
XVII. Agreements on Trade in Goods
XVIII. General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
XIX. Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
XX. Understanding on Dispute Settlement
XXI. Trade Policy Review Mechanism
XXII. Ministerial Decisions and Declarations
Case Studies