World+Trade+Organization

==** T ** he World Trade Organization is a multilateral organization that promotes free and fair trade among the nations of the world. It also helps to settle disputes between them. It was created in 1994 by 121 nations at the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The WTO is responsible for implementation and administration of the trade agreement. ==

The World Trade Organization is a multilateral organization that promotes free and fair trade among the nations of the world. It also helps to settle disputes between them. It was created in 1994 by 121 nations at the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The WTO is responsible for implementation and administration of the trade agreement. The World Trade Organization has been known for their trading agreements around the World. Those agreements are lengthy and complex because they are legal text covering a wide range of activities. **Trading without discrimination** is the main principle of the World Trade Organization; this principle is divided into six aspects that involved the organization goals:

Most Favored Nations (MFN): Treating other people equally National Treatment: Treating foreigners and locals equally Freer Trade: gradually through negotiation Predictability: through binding and transparency Promoting fair competition Encouraging development an economic reform

It’s really important to emphasize that the WTO is a “member driven”, with decisions taken by consensus among all member governments. All major decisions are made by the membership as a whole, either by ministers or by their ambassadors or delegates. Decisions are normally taken by consensus.
 * NOTE: **** The WTO agreements include numerous provisions giving developing and least-developed countries special rights. These are provisions that allow developed countries to treat developing countries more favorably than other WTO members. **

= The WTO's main activities: =

-N egotiating the reduction or elimination of obstacles to trade (import, tariffs, other barriers to trade) and agreeing on rules governing the conduct of international trade (e.g. antidumping, subsidies, product standards, etc.) -A dministering and monitoring the application of the WTO's agreed rules for trade in goods, trade in services, and trade-related intellectual property rights -Mo nitoring and reviewing the trade policies of our members, as well as ensuring transparency of regional and bilateral trade agreements -S ettling disputes among our members regarding the interpretation and application of the agreements -B uilding capacity of developing country government officials in international trade matters -A ssisting the process of accession of some 30 countries who are not yet members of the organization -C onducting economic research and collecting and disseminating trade data in support of the WTO's other main activities -E xplaining to and educating the public about the WTO, its mission and its activities

= The ultimate goals and objectives of the organization: = -Remain the pursuit of open borders -The guarantee of most-favoured-nation principle and non-discriminatory treatment by and among members -A commitment to transparency in the conduct of its activities

= Why should developing countries join the World Trade Organization? = Countries should join the World Trade Organisation because the opening of national markets to international trade with justifiable exceptions or with adequate flexibilities, will encourage and contribute to development, raise people's welfare, reduce poverty, and foster peace and stability. At the same time, such market opening must be accompanied by sound domestic and international policies that contribute to economic growth and development according to each member's needs and aspirations



Understanding and Misunderstanding the World Trade Organization = 10 Benefits of the WTO trading system =

 1. __[|The system helps promote peace]__

2. __[|Disputes are handled constructively]__

3. __[|Rules make life easier for all]__

4. __[|Freer trade cuts the costs of living]__

5. __ [|It provides more choice of products and qualities] __

6. __[|Trade raises incomes]__

7. __[|Trade stimulates economic growth]__

8. __[|The basic principles make life more efficient]__

9. __[|Governments are shielded from lobbying]__

10. __[|The system encourages good government]__ **FOR MORE INFORMATION:** []

= 10 Misunderstanding about the WTO =

1. __[|The WTO dictates policy]__

2. __[|The WTO is for free trade at any cost]__

3. __[|Commercial interests take priority over development …]__

4. __[|… and over the environment]__

5. __[|… and over health and safety]__

<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans serif;">6. __[|The WTO destroys jobs, worsens poverty]__

<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans serif;">7. __[|Small countries are powerless in the WTO]__

<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans serif;">8. __[|The WTO is the tool of powerful lobbies]__

<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans serif;">9. __[|Weaker countries are forced to join the WTO]__

<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans serif;">10. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans serif;">__[|The WTO is undemocratic]__ <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans serif;"> []
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