Sapana Wto South Asia

Based on presentations at a conference organized by SAFMA in Islamabad during 29-30 April 2006.

Wto Is Seen Largely As A Symbol Of North-South Conflict, Due To Divergent Perceptions Of The Developed And Developing Countries On The Multilateral Trading System. This North-South Divide Is Reflected In Their Ministerial Negotiations Where The Rich Countries Try To Impinge Their Ultimate Authority Over The Global Economy Leaving Thus Limited Options To The Poor Countries To Defend Their Economic Space, Notwithstanding The Fact That The Developing Countries Account For Nearly 80 Percent Of Wto Membership. There Is Now A Growing Concern Among The South Asian Countries, Including The Four Least-Developed Countries On The Restrictions Imposed By The Developed Countries In The Form Of New Clauses In The Wto Framework. The Initiation Of Liberalization In These Countries In The Early 1990S Did Not Improve The Trade Prospects Significantly. South Asian Countries In General And India In Particular Is Now Taking Keen Interest In Cooperating With The Fellow Developing Countries And Championing Their Cause At The International Fora. This Volume Attempts To Examine The Different Facets Of Implications Of Wto On South Asia, Viz., Trade Cooperation For Development And Poverty Alleviation; Agriculture; Singapore Issues; Health And Intellectual Property Rights; And China S Accession Into Wto And Other Related Issues. It Emphasizes The Stand Of South Asian Countries To Safeguard Their Trade Prospects By Protecting From The Restrictions, Imposed By The Developed Countries In Several Clauses Under Different Agreements Of Wto. It Is Hoped That This Volume Will Become An Important Addition To The Existing Literature On Wto, As It Covers The Adverse Affect Of Wto On South Asia Which Has So Far Not Been Analyzed Exhaustively.