Sustainable
development is a principal objective
Underlying
the WTO’s trading system is the fact that freer trade boosts
economic growth and supports development. In that sense, commerce and
development are good for each other.
At
the same time, whether or not developing countries gain enough from the
system is a subject of continuing debate in the WTO. But that does not
mean to say the system offers nothing for these countries. Far from it.
The agreements include many important provisions that specifically take
developing countries’ interests into account.
Developing
countries are allowed more time to apply numerous provisions of the WTO
agreements. Least-developed countries receive special treatment,
including exemption from many provisions.
The
needs of development can also be used to justify actions that might not
normally be allowed under the agreements, for example governments giving
certain subsidies.
And
the negotiations and other work launched at the Doha Ministerial
Conference in November 2001 include numerous issues that developing
countries want to pursue.
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