Abstract This is a paper on the political situations that led to the actions taken by Guatemala at the international discussions on trade at Cancun in September, 2003. The paper begins with a brief overview of Guatemala's history and current political situation. The paper then looks at how the World Trade Organization affects Guatemala's increasing trade deficit and worsening economic situation.
From the Paper "At present the country suffers a lot due o the trade imbalances. The value of its imports was of the order of $5.6 billion during 2002 on a FOB basis whereas the exports were only of the order of $2.7 billions on the same basis. Of the agricultural products produced within the country, three items of coffee, sugar and bananas are the most important. Totally agriculture contributes about one-fourth of the GDP and employs about half of the labor force. It also provides most of the exports ? about two thirds. Before the rule of the present president, there was a program of liberalization for the economy and modernization of the political structure within the country."
Abstract This report outlines three separate news articles which detail the September 10th, 2003 World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Cancun, Mexico. The articles, from Europe, North America and Asia, provide different glimpses and aspects of that one day. The paper notes that all three writers agree on their distrust towards the WTO, and are negative regarding outcomes from the meeting. Each article is discussed in-depth.
From the Paper "On Wednesday, September 10th of 2003, a World Trade Organization meeting occurred in Cancun, Mexico to discuss issues of trade and tourism. Cancun is a popular tourist resort. Three separate articles from around the globe, namely Europe, North America and Asia, recorded this event from varying details. Around the world, there is a prevailing sense of disillusionment and distrust towards the WTO, at least as expressed via these three articles. Of the three, there was not one that held a positive view towards the Cancun meeting, a fact which is made even more significant by the vastness of subject matter relating to this event. One article takes the reader through the.."
Abstract This paper examines the changing nature of the relationship between the developing world and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The ministerial marketing in Cancun in 2003 saw the developing countries form a political coalition that effectively countered the historical hegemony of the developed world in pushing through its agenda for neoliberal economic reform.
From the Paper "Very few headlines of significance point to a non-event. Yet the failure of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Cancun, Mexico in September 2003 was just such an occasion. The meeting of trade officials from 149 member states had an ambitious agenda before it. Topping the list was continued talks on harmonization of trade in agriculture and services begun in 2000. There were also sweeping new issues, first proposed in 2001 at the Doha Ministerial meeting, members had to a consensus on: non-agricultural tariffs, the environment, enforcing anti-dumping prohibitions, curtailing direct or indirect anti-competitive government subsidies of commercial enterprises and rules governing intellectual property rights. Deadlines for agreements on most of the..."
Abstract This paper studies two different approaches to international investments: The multilateral approach, which is favored by developed nations and the bilateral approach, which is favored by developing nations. As the paper explains, since the negotiations on MAI (Multilateral Agreement on Investments) fell apart, the developed world has been attempting to renew the effort through the other world bodies like WTO. This paper examines which of the above approaches is most suited to the world and in particular to the developing countries. The paper also asks whether a multilateral approach will necessarily lead to increased global FDI inflows. This paper ultimately proves that one size does not fit all, since investments are too sensitive and complicated to be governed by an umbrella agreement covering the entire world. Thus, the paper concludes, the WTO's attempt to address non-commercial factors through a multilateral agreement may not be worthwhile. Further, the paper recommends that if the WTO is to increase FDI, it should continue to concentrate on trade rather than bringing investments under a multilateral arrangement.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices
Introduction
Need for Study
Objectives
Hypothesis
Limitations
Chapterization
Literature Review
Theories on International Trade
Theories on FDI
What factors determine the FDI?
Is Global FDI Tariff Jumping?
Multilateralism & Bilateralism
The Doha Round
The Cancun & Hong Kong Round
India's Reservation on WTO
Methodology
Methodology
Source
Assumptions
Expected Outcome
Results & Findings
Findings from Time Series Data
Findings from Cross Section Data
Conclusions & Policy Recommendations
Suggested Areas for Further Research
Bibliography
End Notes
Tables
Figures
Appendices
From the Paper "At present, the foreign investments are protected under the BITs (Bilateral Investment Treaties) and certain other regional arrangements. Since the 1960s, the BITs have increased greatly in numbers and today there are more than 2300 BITs (Source -UNCTAD). There has been a sustained debate between the developed and the developing world on the utility and/or continuance of BITs. The stand of the developed world is that the BIT is an inadequate protection since it often (not always) subordinates investment disputes to the local laws of the host country rather than international arbitration. Also, the process of negotiations of BITs is costly and time consuming. The western world also holds the view that the BITs do not sufficiently address the issue of transparency, predictability and stability of the FDI regime of the host countries."
