Trade facilitation as part the doha mandate and itþs implementation in Latin-American

Abstract

The Doha Ministerial Declaration, adopted on November 14th, 2001, along with recognizing the contribution of the WTO in trade development, emphasized the development of a work program mainly in benefit of developing countries and less developed countries, from hereon LDC’s. Within this context, finding a solution to the access of agricultural products from developing countries and LDC’S to the markets of developed countries, hereon DC’s was defined as a priority. Additionally, other important matters were established. Among others, the subject matters outlined in the Singapore Agenda, which were taken forward by DC’S and emerging countries in light of their novelty. These subject matters focus on the relationship between trade and investment, the interaction between trade and competitiveness policies, transparency in awarding of public contracts and trade facilitation. The WTO had not previously dealt with any of these subjects, especially regarding competitiveness policies and the awarding of public contracts. Trade Facilitation has turned into an increasingly far-reaching subject, as countries have began lowering their tariffs on the basis of unilateral policies or multilateral commitments. Tariffs have thus ceased to bear the relevance they had a few years ago and today doesn’t constitute significant barriers to international trade. Furthermore, it is worth noting at this point, the proliferation of trade agreements that have lowered or eliminated tariffs among partners.1 Therefore, in this new scenario many countries have looked for new forms of protectionism, leaded by the classic subsidies and procedures and practices that hinder or increase the price of international trade have been established, especially importations and transit of goods.