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From the Director’s Desk “We are living off the liberalisation and

reforms of the past.”

– Roberto Azevêdo, DG, WTO

AS per annual World Trade Report by

WTO, trade will be the major driver of

development in the 21st century. Thus, it

is necessary that the countries must

facilitate trade reforms and remove trade

barriers to help the Least Developed

Countries (LDCs) to benefit from multilateral trade. In the last two decades, the

global trading system has helped to reduce the gap between developed and

developing countries. It has helped developing countries with the integration into

global production through supply chains (global value chains: GVCs), increase

besides helping to prices of agricultural goods and natural resources. The

interdependence of the world economy which also played a major role in

preventing an outbreak of protectionism during the 2008 financial crisis.

Major trade reforms were introduced in the international trading arena 20 years

ago. It is seen that though trade is a great leveller, but barriers still remain. So far

as India is concerned, the main policy barriers which India faces include tariffs

and customs procedures, foreign direct investment (FDI) restrictions, local-content

restrictions, treatment of intellectual property (IP), taxes and financial regulations,

regulatory uncertainty, and other non-tariff measures, such as unclear legal

liability, price controls, and sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards.

Reforms had played a major role in the broad economic expansion globally. But

over the years, there has been a significant fall in the productivity gains from these

reforms and thus arises the need to update the rules and implement a new

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generation of trade reforms. The new reforms need to be there to boost global

trade and thus are essential for development. Trade reforms will increase external

competition in product and services markets. They will also encourage key

infrastructure investments and spur innovation through research and development

and “learning by exporting”. Reinvigorating trade is an “essential-to-have” to help

prevent the “new mediocre” of low growth over a long period as emphasized by

Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of IMF. Hence, it is essential for the

international trading community to push for trade reforms as part of a

comprehensive policy package to lift growth and employment.

(Dr. Surajit Mitra)

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Editor

Dr. Rakesh Mohan Joshi

Managing Editor

Ms. Areej Aftab Siddiqui

The Institute brings out the Quarterly Journal, FOCUS WTO

exclusively dealing with WTO and WTO-related issues.

Each issue is dedicated to a particular theme. A distinct

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LEAD ARTICLE

Prime Focus Trade Barriers in South Asia

By Asma Khatoon, UGC-JRF Fellow, Department of Commerce, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (UP), and

Badar Alam Iqbal, Professor, Department of Commerce, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (UP)

Abstract

South Asia is gradually becoming a very important and large market in the world economy. Also having larger population in the world and interacts with eight countries (i.e., Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) through trade. International Trade helps neighboring countries to take comparative advantages worldwide by exporting their surplus goods and services to other countries. Different trade agreements are signed by the countries to eradicate trade barriers and conflict of interests. This paper attempts to highlights the trade barriers which are hampering the flow of trade of goods and services among South Asian countries. The paper further recommends suggestions for successful regional integration related to Trade Barriers.

JEL Classification: F1, F10

Keywords: Trade Barriers, SAPTA, SAFTA, South Asia, Trade Agreements. COMPREHENSIVE OUTLOOK

Special Focus Liberalization Process under WTO and its Impacts: Special Case of Rise of "Invisible Measures"

By Murali Kallummal, Associate Professor, Centre for WTO Studies, IIFT, New Delhi.

Abstract

Doha Round (DR) with 161 members negotiating on issues like tariffs, non-tariff measures, agriculture, standards, environment, competition, investment, transparency, patents, etc. The DR has witnessed successes and failures with only two successful Ministerial mandates in the nine Ministerials held till date - with no permanent conclusion in sight. Systemic issues like the implementation issues related to transparency and disclosures under various WTO existing agreements; the changed nature of protection from tariff by shifting to public policy instruments; and the lack of consideration of socio-economic realities in across the WTO Agreements while dealing with global solutions.

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Inside Out

Trade Measures – Some Recent Trends and Concerns

By Rajiv Arora, Director General of Anti Dumping, Department of Commerce, New Delhi.

Abstract

Though Trade Restrictive Measures (TRM) over a period of time have undergone a shift in usage, scope, form and impact, these measures continue to be monitored closely under the radar of WTO. The recent report of July 2015 of WTO on these measures indicates some emerging shifts and trends in usage of such measures. This article analyzes this report which shows mixed signs of better stability and predictability as well as concern for enhanced usage and likely stockpiling of such measures.

Book/Paper Review

European Integration and International Co-ordination: Studies in Transnational Economic Law in Honour of Claus-Dieter Ehlermann by Armin Von Bogdandy, Petros C. Mavroidis and Yves Mény

(Reviewed by: Rahul Agnihotri, IIFT and IIM Alumnus)

India’s Trade Barriers: An Analysis with Reference to Tariffs and Customs Procedures by Pinak Sarkar and Dr. (Prof.) Martin Patrick, Centre for Policy Research, 28 January 2015.

(http://www.cppr.in)

NEWS/ARTICLES National/International

NEWS Indonesia Raises Trade Barriers against Imported Good (http://www.therakyatpost.com 23 July 2015)

ASEAN Trade Needs to Leap Tall Non Tariff Barriers with a Single AEC Market (http://www.establishmentpost.com 22 July 2015)

McNeil Plays Key Role in Bringing Down Trade Barriers (http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials 17 July 2015)

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EU-ASEAN Paper Lists Trade Barriers (http://www.bworldonline.com 16 July 2015)

China Dodging Trade Barriers with Overseas Solar Plants (http://www.bloomberg.com 15 July 2015)

Non-Tariff Barriers Must be Overcome to Take Advantage of Free Trade Agreements: Industry (http://www.abc.net.au 15 July 2015)

Distrust, Trade Barriers Obstacles in Eurasia Development: PM Modi (The Economic Times, 10 July 2015)

Pakistan’s Former Finance Minister Wants to Remove Trade Barriers with India (http://www.siliconindia.com 9 July 2015)

India to Seek End to Non-Tariff Barriers during PM Modi’s China Visit (Reuters, 8 May 2015)

Exporters Need to Focus on Non-Trade Barriers to Boost Business: Commerce Ministry Official (The Economic Times, 22 April 2015)

Vibrant Gujarat Summit: ‘Visionary’ Narendra Modi Removing Trade Barriers, says US (The Economic Times, 12 January 2015)

Govt Working on Standards to Take on Trade Barriers: Commerce Secretary (The Economic Times, 16 April 2014)

ARTICLES

US Seeks to Reduce Trade Barriers by Jon Chavez, 4 October 2015. (www.toledoblade.com/image)

Odumodu: Harmonization will Help Eliminate Trade Barriers by Yemi Akinsuyi, 23 July 2015. (http://www.thisdaylive.com)

Interprovincial Trade Barriers Must Go by Jordi Morgan, 3 July 2015. (http://thechronicleherald.ca)

Now India is to withdraw Non-Tariff Barriers by Haradhan Ganguly, 16 June 2015. (www.observerbd.com)

Canada’s Internal Trade Barriers Must Fall by Barrie McKenna, 14 June 2015. (www.businessexaminer.ca)

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Obama Deal Seeks to ‘Eliminate’ Trade Barriers with Communist Regime Now Running $24.9 bn. Trade Deficit with US by Terence P. Jeffrey, 22 May 2015. (http://cnsnews.com)

SNEC 2015: EPIA Wants End to EU Trade Barriers with China by Mark Osborne, 27 April 2015. (http://www.pv-tech.org)

Cyber Threats must be Addressed without Trade Barriers: US Commerce Secretary by Michael Martina, 14 April 2015. (http://www.reuters.com)

Declining Trade Barriers Boost Asian Demand by Karen Kroll, 6 February 2015. (https://www.gfmag.com)

US Should Scrap Trade Barriers with Africa by Marian L. Tupy, Financial Times, 4 August 2014 (http://www.cato.org)

Technical Trade Barriers Facing US Meat Exports by Thad Lively, 1st Quarter 2013. (http://www.choicesmagazine.org)

An Increase in Barriers to Trade is Reported by Aannie Lowrey, 22 June 2012. (http://www.nytimes.com)