Few areas of healthcare have changed as rapidly or as visibly as telemedicine. Once a peripheral offering, it has now moved toward the center of service delivery in many systems. For economists and policymakers trying to track its expansion, the challenge is not only the novelty of the model, but the limitations of the data […]
In an unexpected move, Christian Lindner, the German Finance Minister and leader of the German liberals, has extended an invitation to the United Kingdom to explore “new steps” in their post-Brexit trade relations with the European Union (EU). Lindner’s gesture, made during a BBC interview, has raised the prospect of reducing trade barriers and addressing […]
In a significant stride for global trade, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea announced the culmination of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) this Saturday. This pivotal accord underscores the robust and burgeoning economic partnership between the two nations, set against a backdrop of sustained growth in non-oil bilateral trade, which touched […]
Italy is looking forward to a surge in its exports to Latin America’s largest economies, with an estimated growth of about 5% in 2024, according to the Italian export credit agency, SACE. This optimistic outlook comes as Italy actively pursues a landmark European Union trade agreement with various South American nations, a pact that holds […]
At the heart of vibrant Marrakesh during the esteemed annual assembly of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, a pressing issue found its way to the forefront of discussions: the critical need to expand access to trade finance, especially for small and women-led businesses striving for a foothold in the global market. […]
In a significant development for international trade, an Advanced Course focusing on the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) began on October 10th at the WTO. This comprehensive two-week training program boasts the participation of 26 government officials from diverse member nations. The course’s primary goal is to equip […]
In the midst of complex global economic conditions, China, the world’s second-largest economy, exhibits signs of trade stabilization, as indicated by expert forecasts gathered by Reuters. Data anticipates a deceleration in the decline of exports for September, marking a consequential shift in the nation’s trade performance. Projections for September suggest a 7.6% decrease in exports […]
In a significant stride towards understanding the trade and development priorities of developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs), WTO members launched the Aid-for-Trade monitoring and evaluation exercise during a Committee on Trade and Development meeting on October 9th. This exercise aims to scrutinize how development finance, provided by partners, is addressing the unique needs of […]
In a significant development, the United States and Venezuela have advanced in discussions that could lead to sanctions relief for Venezuela. This relief may come in the form of permitting at least one additional foreign oil company to accept Venezuelan crude oil for debt repayment, contingent on President Nicolas Maduro’s return to negotiations with the […]
The International Trade Council applauds the recent strides made by the Informal Working Group on Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), as detailed during their meeting on October 9th, in preparation for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) slated for February 2024. Under the astute guidance of Coordinator Ambassador Matthew Wilson of Barbados, the group has […]
October 9, WTO members initiated the sixth “Fish Week” of the year, marking the shift into the text-based phase of negotiations aimed at establishing regulations on subsidies linked to overcapacity and overfishing. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, who chairs the negotiations, emphasized the intensifying negotiations in anticipation of the WTO’s Senior […]
In a climate of persistent economic uncertainty, particularly regarding U.S. employment data, markets across the Asian sphere presented a largely positive front, despite subdued trading activity, the International Trade Council reported on Friday. While Japan’s Nikkei 225 experienced a slight contraction, decreasing by 0.3% to settle at 31,129.06, other key market indicators in the […]
Indonesia has revealed its intentions to bolster customs monitoring procedures for specific imported goods, encompassing cosmetics, footwear, apparel, toys, and electronics, as part of the country’s efforts to manage its import volume. The decision to introduce this regulation comes in response to concerns raised by business associations regarding a surge in imported goods, which […]
At the 2023 Annual WTO Conference organized by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard delivered a keynote speech highlighting the transformative effects of technological developments on international trade. She emphasized the growing role of services, particularly digitally-delivered services, in the global economy and how new technologies have facilitated trade […]
The International Trade Council, based on notifications from developing and least-developed country members, has identified five specific measures within the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) where implementation assistance is most frequently sought for the upcoming two years. This update was presented by the WTO Secretariat during a meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation, which was […]
In its latest trade forecast released on October 5th, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has adjusted its projections for global merchandise trade growth in 2023, reflecting a persistent slowdown that commenced in the fourth quarter of 2022. The revised estimate anticipates a modest growth rate of 0.8% for this year, a considerable reduction from the […]