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Trade

Proposed Agenda Items for the Dispute Settlement Body Meeting on April 26, 2024

Items proposed for consideration at the next meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body on April 26, 2024 include a range of topics. According to the agenda, the meeting will focus on addressing various issues related to international disputes and trade.The proposed agenda items were highlighted in a recent announcement, with one of the key points being, "." This suggests that a significant discussion will be centered around this particular subject during the upcoming meeting.Furthermore, the meeting is scheduled to delve into specific matters with the intention of...

Trade

Under Secretary Marisa Lago speaks at 2024 U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit

In her keynote address at the 2024 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago highlighted the work of The International Trade Association (ITA) in finding international partners for business owners, including those who are Hispanic-owned. Lago, representing the U.S. International Trade Administration, also discussed the ITA's efforts to liaise with foreign governments and U.S. companies operating overseas to eliminate trade barriers and advocate for transparent business practices.

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Trade

WTO Workshop Reviews Technology Transfer Incentives under TRIPS Agreement

A workshop held by the World Trade Organization (WTO) recently allowed participants to assess the incentives for technology transfer under the TRIPS Agreement, focusing on the challenges and experiences of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in utilizing technological advancements for economic development.During the workshop, WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill highlighted the significant efforts made by developed members in submitting 318 reports since 2003, detailing actions related to technology transfer in accordance with Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement....


Trade

Members Review Anti-Dumping Actions and Regulations at First Biannual Meeting of 2024

Members of the Committee gathered for their first biannual meeting of 2024 to review anti-dumping actions and regulations. The Chair of the Committee, Mrs Ayşegül Şahinoğlu Yerdeş (Türkiye), presided over the discussions.During the meeting, the Committee reviewed notifications of legislation from various countries. The Chair urged members to promptly submit reports of actions and welcomed the extensive use of the anti-dumping portal for submissions.Questions were raised by several delegations regarding actions contained in the semi-annual reports submitted by multiple...


Trade

South Africa Challenges EU Citrus Fruit Measures in WTO Dispute

South Africa has initiated a second dispute complaint against the European Union concerning its measures on citrus fruit imports. The issue at hand involves the EU's ban on importing South African citrus fruit affected by the fungus known as "citrus black spot."According to South Africa, the EU's import prohibition on citrus fruit impacted by citrus black spot may be in violation of the WTO's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. This marks the second time South Africa has raised concerns about the EU's import regulations on citrus fruit.The first dispute,...


Trade

Trade Growth and Poverty Reduction Over 30 Years

---Global trade has experienced significant growth over the past three decades, resulting in positive impacts on poverty reduction and economic development. According to experts Barbara D’Andrea, Christophe Degain, Florian Eberth, Stela Rubínová, Monia Snoussi-Mimouni, and Ankai Xu, the signing of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization in 1994 marked the beginning of a transformative period in global trade.The World Trade Organization, established as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, has played a crucial role in...


Trade

Trade Policy Review: Morocco

The World Trade Organization (WTO) conducted a Trade Policy Review of Morocco, with the discussions focusing on various reports and documents. The Secretariat report, prepared independently by the WTO Secretariat, provided a detailed analysis of Morocco's trade policies. In addition, the Government report, which presented a policy statement from the Moroccan government, was also a key document in the review process.According to the WTO's procedures, the Secretariat and Government reports were thoroughly examined and deliberated upon by the WTO's full membership in the...


Trade

WTO announces Canada increases STDF aid with CAD 250,000

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced that Canada is contributing CAD 250,000 to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). This contribution is aimed at assisting developing economies and least-developed countries in meeting global food safety and trade standards. With this recent contribution, Canada's total support to the STDF has reached nearly CHF 7.5 million since 2005.


Trade

WTO announces Russia's acceptance of Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has declared that the Russian Federation has officially accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The instrument of acceptance from Russia was presented by Ambassador Nikolai Platonov to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, increasing the total number of WTO members who have accepted the agreement to 72.


Trade

Japan allocates funds to WTO's Global Trust for developing economies

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced that Japan is contributing EUR 115,000 to the WTO's Global Trust Fund. This fund supports training programs for government officials from developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs). Over the past two decades, Japan's contributions to WTO trust funds have totalled nearly EUR 13.5 million.


Trade

Sweden pledges SEK 27 million to EIF interim facility for LDC economic growth

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced a contribution of SEK 27 million from Sweden, aimed at supporting least-developed countries (LDCs) in maintaining economic growth. The funds will be directed towards the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), specifically to the newly established EIF Interim Facility. This commitment was confirmed during a meeting attended by Per-Arne Hjelmborn, the Director General for Trade Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of EIF.


Trade

Korea contributes USD 1 million to WTO fisheries funding

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced that the Republic of Korea has pledged USD 1 million to support the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for developing members and least-developed country (LDC) members. The contribution was made by Inkyo Cheong, Trade Minister of the Republic of Korea, to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.


Trade

Haiti accepts Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Haiti has officially accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The acceptance was formalized by Ambassador Justin Viard, who presented Haiti's instrument of acceptance to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This brings the total number of WTO members who have ratified the agreement to 61.


Trade

Finland contributes EUR 1.2 million to WTO trust funds for developing economies

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has declared that Finland is contributing EUR 1.2 million (CHF 1.14 million) to four WTO trust funds. These funds are designed to assist developing economies and least-developed country (LDC) members in enhancing their understanding and application of global trade regulations. Over the past two decades, Finland has donated approximately CHF 17.4 million (around EUR 18 million) to various WTO trust funds.


Trade

Cabo Verde officially accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has declared that Cabo Verde has officially accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by depositing its instrument of acceptance. This act by Cabo Verde brings the total number of WTO members who have ratified the Agreement to 56.


Trade

Portugal contributes Eur 50,000 to WTO fisheries funding

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced that Portugal pledged EUR 50,000 to support the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies for developing members and least-developed country (LDC) members. The contribution was presented by Ambassador Rui Macieira to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.


Trade

Bhutan graduates from WTO Least Developed Countries work program

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has a work program specifically designed to assist countries designated as least developed by the United Nations. Until mid-December, Bhutan was one of the nations benefitting from this program.


Trade

WTO Young Professionals 2023 farewell ceremony

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced that this year, 17 young professionals were assigned to 13 divisions of the WTO Secretariat, gaining firsthand experience in various aspects of the organization's work. At the farewell ceremony marking the official closing of the 2023 program, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala congratulated and wished the young professionals well.


Trade

Miguel Pacheco joins Open Mineral Limited as Chief Financial Officer

Miguel Pacheco, a veteran in corporate finance, is set to assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Open Mineral Limited, an Abu Dhabi-based company. The firm anticipates that Pacheco's appointment will enhance its performance and standing.


Trade

World Trade Organization announces formal acceptances of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has welcomed two new parties, as representatives from the Gambia and the United Kingdom have recently submitted their instruments of acceptance.