Presented by:
A Rajesh
CE161552
Presentation Plan
• Introduction
• History
• Information
• Objectives
• WTO structure
• Ministerial conferences
• Functions
• Agreements
• Conclusion
Introduction
• The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization which regulates international trade.
• The WTO deals with regulation of trade between participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements and a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participants' adherence to WTO agreements, which are signed by representatives of member governments.
• They deal with: agriculture, textiles and clothing, banking, telecommunications, government purchases, industrial standards and product safety, food sanitation regulations, intellectual property, and much more.
History
• The WTO officially commenced on 1 January 1995, signed by 123 nations on 15 April 1994.
• Preceded by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
• GATT is formed on 1 January 1948, signed by 23 countries.
• Uruguay Round Negotiations (1986-94).
Information
Established: 1st January 1995.
Created By: Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-1994)
Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland
Membership: 164 members & 20 observers
Secretariat Staff: 647
Head: Roberto Azevedo (Director-General)
Budget: 197.204 million Swiss francs (approx)
Objectives The primary aim of WTO is to implement the new world trade agreement. To promote multilateral trade . To promote free trade by abolishing tariff & non-tariff barriers. To enhance competitiveness among all trading partners so as to benefit
consumers. To increase the level of production & productivity with a view to increase the
level of employment in the world. To expand & utilize world resources in the most optimum manner. To improve the level of living for the global population & speed up economic
development of the member nations. To take special steps for the development of poorest nations.
WTO structure
Ministerial Conference
General CouncilDispute Settlement Body
Trade Policy Review Body
Goods Council Intellectual Property Council Services Council
The Committee on T&D and
T&E
Ministerial conferences1st 9–13 December 1996 Singapore
2nd 18–20 May 1998 Geneva, Switzerland
3rd 30 November – 3 December 1999 Seattle, United States
4th 9–14 November 2001 Doha, Qatar
5th 10–14 September 2003 Cancún, Mexico
6th 13–18 December 2005 Hong Kong
7th 30 November – 2 December 2009 Geneva, Switzerland
8th 15–17 December 2011 Geneva, Switzerland
9th 3–6 December 2013 Bali, Indonesia
10th 15–18 December 2015 Nairobi, Kenya
11th 11-14 December 2017 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Functions Implementing WTO agreements & administering the international trade. Cooperating with IMF & World Bank & its associates for establishing
coordination in Global Trade Policy-Making. Settling trade related disputes among member nations with the help of its
Dispute Settlement Reviewing trade related economic policies of member countries with help of
its Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB). Providing technical assistance & guidance related to management of foreign
trade & fiscal policy to its member nations. Acting as forum for trade liberalisation.
Agreements
• General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
• General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
• Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
• Trade Related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
• Agreement on Agriculture (AOA)
Conclusion
The World Trade Organization (WTO) deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.
India, as a developing economy, has been benefitted being a founding member of the World trade Organization. The country at large has seen many significant changes which have taken place after the formation of WTO. There are some issues which are yet to be sorted out with the WTO.