Trade Laws and Institutions Good Practices and the World Trade Organization

World Bank Discussion Paper No. 282. The establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations has greatly extended the reach of multilateral rules and disciplines, including those of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Under the WTO, services and intellectual property will for the first time be covered by a multilateral trade agreement. With many developing countries now seeking membership in GATT, accession may have far reaching consequences for the trade laws, policies, and institutions that exist in a particular country. This report examines the new rules and disciplines as outlined by the Uruguay Round and reviews three following multilateral treaties: GATT, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and the Agreement on Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). It outlines the implications of WTO membership and assesses its policy disciplines. Finally, the report recommends practices for helping governments formulate the most effective trade policy allowed under WTO guidelines.Hoekman, Bernard M. is the author of 'Trade Laws and Institutions Good Practices and the World Trade Organization', published 1995 under ISBN 9780821332177 and ISBN 0821332171.