WTO: Working group finalises package of declarations and recommendations to assist small business

Working group finalises package of declarations and recommendations to assist small business The Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) finalised the technical work on a package of six recommendations and declarations aimed at facilitating the participation of smaller businesses in international trade at its meeting on 5 November. This package will be... Lees verder New WTO paper explores linkages between trade and the spread of diseases of animal origin The WTO Secretariat has published a new information note about trade issues associated with the spread of diseases of animal origin. The note maps out the international framework in place to address these issues, along with ongoing efforts to ensure safe trade in animals and animal products,... Lees verder DDG Wolff shares views with international agency heads on future of multilateral cooperation In remarks on 6 November to the autumn meeting of the UN Chief Executives Board, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff made the case for reinvigorated international cooperation on trade to accelerate the response to COVID-19, support the needed economic recovery and enhance economic growth and... Lees verder General Council meeting on DG selection postponed The General Council meeting scheduled for 9 November to consider the appointment of the next WTO Director-General has been postponed. Ambassador David Walker, the chair of the General Council, informed members of the decision on 6 November. Lees verder DDG Wolff: WTO accession is a catalyst for domestic reform and economic growth Speaking on 8 November at the High-Level Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for the Arab Region hosted by the Arab Monetary Fund and Islamic Development Bank, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said the accession process has served as an effective external anchor for domestic reforms and a... Lees verder High-level dialogue reviews accessions of Arab countries, marks Oman's 20th WTO anniversary The High-Level Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for Arab Countries on 8-10 November 2020 focused on how past and current accession processes have served as the springboard for reform and economic growth in the region. A special session marked Oman's 20th anniversary of WTO membership. Lees verder DDG Wolff marks 20th anniversary of Oman's accession to WTO Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff marked the 20th anniversary of Oman's accession to the WTO on 9 November, citing the country as a "supportive and reliable partner of the WTO community." DDG Wolff spoke at an online event to commemorate the 20th anniversary. His remarks are below. Lees verder WTO issues compliance ruling regarding Indonesian measures on Brazilian chicken imports On 10 November the WTO circulated the compliance panel report in the case brought by Brazil in "Indonesia — Measures Concerning the Importation of Chicken Meat and Chicken Products" (DS484). Lees verder Least developed countries hit hard by trade downturn triggered by COVID-19 pandemic Least developed countries (LDCs) have been hit hard by the downturn in global trade triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, with LDC merchandise exports declining by 16 per cent during the first half of 2020, WTO members were told at a meeting of the WTO's Sub-Committee on LDCs held on 11 November. Lees verder DDG Wolff: The status quo is not sustainable Serious progress on WTO reform is long overdue and should be made during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff said on 10 November. Speaking at a Graduate Institute event on revitalizing multilateralism, DDG Wolff set out what he described as a "sensible path forward" for... Lees verder