February 14, 2011

IN THIS ALERT:

 

Global Trade Opinion Poll on Prospects for Doha Round in 2011

 

Participants in a recent Global Trade Opinion Poll agreed by a large margin (76% to 17%) that Doha Round negotiators cannot wait for agriculture and NAMA modalities to be sorted out in order for the Round to move forward, and that there now needs to be significant movement across the board in all areas of negotiation.  A majority of survey respondents (51% to 37%) agreed with the recommendation contained in last month's report of the "High Level Trade Experts Group" (see GSN update of February 3, 2011) that a firm and inflexible deadline should be set for the conclusion of the Round.  At the same time, a slim majority (51%) of respondents doubt that the Round could be completed by the end of this year.  A plurality of respondents (39% to 32%) also disagreed with the report's assertion that the services trade negotiations now need to be the chief focus of negotiators' energies. 

 

The poll was conducted by Institute for International Trade, University of Adelaide , and respondents included trade negotiators, analysts, and experts based in Geneva and capitals around the world.  For more information, contact Andrew Stoler at the Institute at andrew.stoler@adelaide.edu.au.

 

 

UK Government Releases Trade & Investment White Paper

 

On February 9, 2011, the UK Government released "Trade and Investment

for Growth" its white paper which sets out a strategy for securing the benefits of greater openness for the UK and global economy, and for the world's poorest people. The paper is the Government's initial statement to its trade and investment partners about how it plans to work together for mutual benefit, and sets out its commitment to addressing trade and investment barriers.  For a copy of the paper, click here: http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/international-trade-investment-and-development/docs/t/11-717-trade-investment-for-growth.pdf.  

 

 

World Trade Statisticians Propose Plans to Improve Trade Data


About 200 statisticians from developed and developing countries participated in the February 2-4 Global Forum on Trade Statistics 2011, held in Geneva . They discussed responses to policy makers' demands for more accurate statistics on trade in goods and services and defined plans for producing trade statistics in the future. They recommended enhancing coordination between national statistical offices, central banks, customs authorities, and ministries. They also recommended connecting existing data sources, such as customs-based merchandise trade statistics, trade and business registers, economic census data, existing enterprise surveys and other administrative records.  In addition, they suggested reviewing existing manufacturing and services classifications to better reflect the changes in global production and the emergence of new products and business functions. For a copy of the full program, podcasts, and other materials, click here: http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/forum_feb11_e/forum_feb11_e.htm