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Commerce Notes

CHAPTER-16 - WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

Q.1 : Discuss the objectives and functions of WTO. (M.2011)

Ans. A) EMERGENCE OF WTO :-

After the Second World War, many countries got down together to work on ways and means
to promote international trade. The result was signing of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT) by 23 countries in 1947. India was one of the founder members of GATT.
GATT was created to reduce global depression and to liberalise and regulate the world trade
by reducing tariff barriers. GATT has been replaced by WTO in 1995. WTO is wider in scope as it
regulates world trade in goods, as well as in services intellectual property rights, and investment. In
January 2010, the membership of WTO was 153 countries. Its rules and policies are the outcome of
negotiations among WTO members. Thus WTO is a member driven, consensus based organisation.

B. PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES OF WTO

1) Trade Without Discrimination :-
Trade without discrimination through the application of Most Favoured Nation (MFN)
Principle. As per MFN clause, a member nation of WTO must accord (give) the same preferential
treatment to other member nations which it gives to any other member nation.

2) Raising The Standard Of Living :-

Raising the standard of living and incomes and ensuring full employment of the citizens of its
member nations.

3) Optimum Use Of World's Resources :-

Ensuring optimum use of world's resources and, thereby, expanding world production and
trade of goods as well as services.

4) Settlement Of Disputes :-
Settlement of disputes among members through consultation, conciliation, and as a last resort
through dispute settlement procedures.

5) Growth Of Less Developed Countries (LDCs) :-

It recognises the need for positive efforts designed to ensure that developing countries
especially the LDCs, secure a better share of growth in international trade.

6) Protection Of Environment
Preserving and protecting the environment of the world so as to benefit all the nations of the
world.

7) Enlargement Of Production And Trade

WTO aims to enlarge production and trade of goods as well as services.

8) Employment
WTO aims at generating full employment and increase in effective demand.

C) FUNCTIONS OF WTO
WTO has following functions
1) Implementation Of Reduction In Trade Barriers
WTO shall check the implementation of tariff cuts and reduction of non-tariff measures agreed
upon the member nations at the conclusion of Uruguay Round.

2) Forum For Negotiation

WTO shall provide the forum of negotiations among its members concerning their multilateral
trade relations.

3) Settlement Of Disputes
WTO shall administer the understanding on rules and procedures governing the settlement of Labels

disputes. BUSINESS FINANCE XII SP NEW SYLLABUS

4) Assistance To IMF And IBRD Business Services
WTO shall co-operate with IMF, IBRD and its affiliated agencies to achieve greater Central Banking
coherence in global economic policy. Commercial Banks
5) Administration Of Agreements Consumer Protection
WTO shall look after the administration of 29 agreements (signed at the conclusion of Consumer's Behaviour
Uruguay Round in 1994), plus a number of other agreements, entered into after Uruguay Round. CORRESPONDENCE WITH DEBENTURE
HOLDERS XII COMMERCE SP NEW SYLLABUS
6) Examination Of Trade Policies
CORRESPONDENCE WITH DEPOSITORS XII
WTO shall regularly examine the foreign trade policies of member nations, to see that such COMMERCE SP NEW SYLLABUS
policies are in line with WTOs guidelines. CORRESPONDENCE WITH MEMBERS XII
7) Consultancy Services COMMERCE SP NEW SYLLABUS
WTO shall keep a watch on the developments in the world economy and it provides DECLARATION AND PAYMENT OF DIVIDEND XII
COMMERCE SP NEW SYLLABUS
consultancy services to its member nations.
Demand Analysis

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8) Collection Of Foreign Trade Information DEPOSITORY AND DEMATERIALIZATION XII

COMMERCE SP NEW SYLLABUS
WTO shall collect information on import - export trade and on various trade measures and
Determinants of Aggregates
other trade statistics of member nations.
Elasticity of Demand
Emerging Modes of Business
Q.2 : Explain the Salient Features of WTO Agreements reached on the basis
Entrepreneurship Development
of Uruguay Rounds. OR
Factors of Production
Explain the main WTO Agreements.
FINANCLAL MARKETS XII COMMERCE SP NEW
Ans. A) SALIENT FEATURES OF URUGUAY ROUND I WTO AGREEMENTS SYLLABUS
Forms of Business Organization
The main agreements of WTO are
Forms of Market and Price Determination Under
Agreement On Agriculture (AOA) :- Perfect Competition
The main objective is to increase market orientation in agriculture trade. It provides for Functions of Management
commitments in the area of market access, domestic support and export competition. The members Introduction to Macro Economics
have to transform their non-tarrif barriers like quotas into equivalent tariff measures. The tariffs are to Introduction to Marketing
be reduced by 36% within 6 years in case of developed countries and by 24% within 10 years in case Introduction to Micro-Economics
of developed countries. The least developed countries need not make any commitment for reduction. ISSUE OF DEBENTURES XII COMMERCE SP
Agreement On Trade In Textiles And Clothing (Multi - Fibre Arrangement) :- NEW SYLLABUS
Money
This provides for phasing out the import quotas on textiles and clothing in force under the
National Income
Multi - Fibre Arrangement since 1974, over a| span of 10 years i.e. by 1st January, 2005. With this
Principles of Management
agreement quota on textile and clothing has now been abolished.
Producer's Behaviour
Agreement On Manufactured Goods
Public Economics
The developed countries agreed to reduce tariffs on manufactured goods other than textiles
ROLE OF A SECRETARY IN CAPITAL
by 40%. The tariffs would now be brought down to an average of 3.8% from earlier 6.3%. FORMATION XII COMMERCE SP NEW
Agreement On TRIMs SYLLABUS
An Agreement on Trade Related Investment Measures (TRIMs) calls for introducing national Social Responsibility of Business
treatment of foreign investments and removal of quantitative restrictions. It identifies 5 investment SOURCES OF BUSINESS FINANCE XII
COMMERCE SP NEW SYLLABUS
measures which are inconsistent with the GATT provisions on national treatment and on general
STOCK EXCHANGE XII COMMERCE SP NEW
elimination of qualitative restrictions. SYLLABUS
Agreement On TRIPs
Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) pertain to Patents and Copyrights. Translate
Whereas earlier on process patents were granted to food, medicines, drugs and chemical products,
the TRIPs Agreement now provides for granting product patents also in all these areas. Protection Select Language
will be available for 20 years for patents and 50 years for copyrights.
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General Agreement On Trade And Services (GATS)
For the first time, trade in services like banking, insurance, travel, maritime transportation,
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mobility of labour etc. has been brought within the ambit of negotiations. The General Agreement on
Trade in Services (GATS) provides a multilateral framework of principles and services which should SONAL PAHUJA
govern trade in services under conditions of transparency and progressive liberalisation.
Disputes Settlement Body
Settllement of disputes under GATT was a never ending process. The Disputes Settlement
Body (DSB) set up under WTO seeks to plug the loopholes and provide security and predictability to
the multilateral trading system. It has now been made mandatory to settle a dispute within 18
months. The findings of disputes settlement panels will be final and binding on all parties concerned.
In addition to the above, the Uruguay Round also reached agreements on the understanding
and implications of certain articles of GATT 1947, viz, pre-shipment inspection, rules of origin, import
licensing, anti - dumping measures and countervailing duties, safeguards, subsidies etc.

Q.3: Explain TRIPs Agreement and implication of TRIPs Agreement

of WTO on member nations. OR 23 have me in circles View all
Write note on TRIPs Agreement. (M. 2011)

Ans. A. AGREEMENT ON TRADE RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (TRIPs) :-

Intellectual property Rights seek to protect the interest of inventors and developers of
products and processes from being copied by others. The main features of TRIPs agreements :-

Minimum Standards of protection to be provided by each member.

Domestic procedures must be put in place for enforcement of IPRs by each member nation.
Dispute Settlement between WTO members.
Agreement on TRIPs cover the following areas Copyright and related rights, trade marks
including services marks, industrial designs, geographical indications, patents, layout designs of
integrated circuits and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets.
WTO's TRIPs agreement is an attempt to narrow down the gaps in the way these rights are
protected around the world. Disputes over TRIPs agreement are to be governed by WTO dispute
settlement procedures. TRIPs agreement desires to reduce distortions and impediments to
international trade while protecting intellectual property rights.
B. POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS OF TRIPs AGREEMENT :-
1) Patents :-
Under Agreement on TRIPs, protection is given to patents, copyrights, layout designs etc. For
Eg.:- when patented drugs get exclusive marketing rights for certain period, and if some other firm
wants ' to use that products name, they have to take permission from patent holder. Permission may
be given only after signing agreement for royalty or fees.
TRIPs agreement has also given a boost to Research and Development in the field of
pharmaceuticals, engineering, electronics etc. Thus agreement on TRIPs have benefited the
member nations of WTO.
2) Public Health :-
The Doha Conference held in Doha, Qatar in Nov. 2001, recognised the need to protect
public health and to provide medicines to all. Here the developing countries need not source their
essential medicines at high cost from MNCs from developed countries, which have patents.
Countries like India, China and Brazil would benefit as they possess the resources and technology to
manufacture essential medicines and export these without having to secure compulsory licensing
from patent holders.
3) Geographic Indication Status (GIS):-
WTO also provides GIS for certain items. Once a country gets GIS, the firms from only that
country can use the generic brand name. For Eg. :- India has obtained GIS for Darjeeling Tea and
also for other products. This means, only Indian firms can use Darjeeling Tea brand, which shows
Darjeeling Tea produced in India is unique.

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B) NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS OF TRIPs AGREEMENT

1) Favours Developed Nations
Agreement on TRIPs favours developed countries as under TRIPs protection .is given to
IPRs such as patents, trade marks, layout designs etc. Thus it favours developed nations as they
have large number of patents.
2) Agriculture
In Agriculture patenting of plant varieties is done through TRIPs. This may have serious
implications for developing countries. MNCs are in a position to develop almost all new varieties with
the help of their financial resources and expertise. This may transfer all gains in the hands of MNCs.
3) Micro - Organisms
Research in Micro-organisms is closely linked with the development of agriculture,
pharmaceuticals and industrial biotechnology. Patenting of Micro-organisms again will benefit MNCs.

Q.4 : Explain the implications of TRIMs Agreement of WTO on member nations. OR

Write note on TRIMs. (M.2011)

Ans. A) AGREEMENT ON TRADE RELATED INVESTMENT MEASURES (TRIMs)

Agreement on Trade Related Investment Measures (TRIMs) include introduction of measures
to be adopted by member countries to treat foreign investments on par with domestic investments
and also removal of quantitative restrictions on imports. It is an attempt by a national government to
place conditions on foreign company that wishes to operate within its borders.
Certain investment measures that discriminate against foreign investment were to be
withdrawn such as
a) Obligation on foreign investors to use local inputs.
b) To produce for exports as a condition to obtain imported inputs.
c) To meet export obligation.
d) Employment of local people.
e) Technology Transfer requirements.
f) Use of specific production technology.
g) Local equity requirement.
h) Control on use of imported inputs.
The member nations of WTO including India have withdrawn the above measures to
encourage trade related investment.
TRIMs are of two types:-
Positive TRIMs :-
These include investment incentive to move to the country in question or to move to a specific
place within that country.
Negative TRIMs :~
These include local equity requirements, licensing requirements, foreign exchange
restrictions, transfer of technology requirements, trade balancing requirements, import - export
requirements etc.

B) POSITIVE IMPACT OF TRIMs :-

TRIMs agreement have positive impact on developing countries as foreign investment is
treated at par with domestic investment. For Eg. TRIMs agreement will encourage foreign firms to
invest in India. This will generate a good amount of competition. In order to survive, Indian firms will
have to be proactive with competitive strategies, which not only would improve their performance, but
also would provide better service to customers.
C) NEGATIVE IMPACT OF TRIMs :-
Developing countries (including India) have withdrawn a number of measures that restricts
foreign investments. TRIMs agreement also favours developed nations. MNCs from developed
countries with their huge financial and technological resources can displace Indian industry and play
a dominant role. Besides foreign firms will be free to remit profits, dividends, etc. to parent company.
This will cause foreign exchange drain on developing nations.
Q. 5 : Discuss the implications of GATS Agreement of WTO on member nations. OR
Write note on GATS.

Ans. A) GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES (GATS)

For the first time, in Uruguay Round, trade in services like banking, insurance, travel,
transport etc. was brought under negotiations. The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
is the first multilateral agreement on trade in services. All member nations are bound to open their
services sector to domestic private and foreign competition.
GATS has two major requirements
1) To grant the Status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) to other member nations on non-discriminate
basis with regard to trade in services and
2) Maintenance of transparency. There is also commitment for progressive
liberalisation.
The inculsion of Services in agreement shows their growing importance in world economy.
Under GATS, India has made commitment for 33 activities where foreigners are allowed to enter. The
choice of activities have been based on national benefit like impact on capital inflows, technology,
employment etc.
Improvements in the quality of service that will emerge from liberalisation and increased
competition will contribute to increase in efficiency, productivity, consumer welfare and growth in
developing countries. No doubt there is a wide difference in the quality of services rendered between
the developed and developing countries. The inclusion of trade in service sector is likely to be more
beneficial to developed countries than to developing countries.
B. POSITIVE IMPACT OF GATS :-
GATS provide an opportunity not only to avail services from other member countries but also
to increase the quality of its own services due to competition. Foreign firms are allowed in number of
service sectors. Through joint ventures or partnership foreign firms may enter in India. This will
enable Indian firms to expand and diversify their service activities with professional expertise and
foreign support.
In many developing countries, sectors like travel and tourism, hotels, retail trading, banking,
insurance, education and communication are open for international competition.

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C. NEGATIVE IMPACT OF GATS :-

In GATS agreement member nations have to open up the services sector for foreign
companies. Developing countries including India have opened up the services sector in respect of
banking, insurance, communication, telecom, transport etc. to foreign firms. Developing countries
may find it difficult to compete with giant foreign firms due to lack of resources and professional skills.

Q.6: Explain the impact of WTO Agreements on Indian Economy. OR

Analyse the impact of WTO agreements on India. What are its Pros and Coins?
Ans. A) IMPACT OF WTO AGREEMENTS ON INDIAN ECONOMY :-
The signing of WTO agreements will have far reaching effects not only on Indias foreign trade
but also on its internal economy. Although the ultimate goal of WTO is to free world trade in the
interest of all nations of the world, yet in reality the WTO agreements has benefitted the developed
nations more as compared to developing ones. The impact of WTO on Indias economy is staged as
follows :-
Positive Impact I Benefits I Advantages I Gains from WTO :-
The Positive impact of WTO on India's economy can be viewed from the following points:-
1) Increase In Export Earnings :-
Estimates made by World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) and the GATT Secretariat, shows that the income effects of the implementation of Uruguay
Round package will be an increase in traded merchandise goods. It is expected that Indias share in
world exports would improve.
2) Agricultural Exports :-
Reduction of trade barriers and domestic subsidies in agriculture is likely to raise international
prices of agricultural products. India hopes to benefit from this in form of higher export earnings from
agriculture. This seems to be possible because all major agriculture development programmes in
India will be exempted from the provisions of WTO Agreement.
3) Export Of Textiles And Clothing :-
With the phasing out of MFA (Multi - Fibre Arrangement), exports of textiles and clothing will
increase and this will be beneficial for India. The developed countries demanded a 15 year period of
phasing out of MFA, the developing countries, including India, insisted that it be done in 10 years. The
Uruguay Round accepted the demand of the latter. But the phasing out Schedule favours the
developed countries because a major portion of quota regime is going to be removed only in the tenth
year, i.e. 2005. The removal of quotas will benefit not only India but also every other country'.
4) Multilateral Rules And Disciplines :-
The Uruguay Round Agreement has strengthened Multilateral rules and disciplines. The most
important of these relate to anti - dumping, subsidies and countervailing measures, safeguards and
disputes settlement. This is likely to ensure greater security and predictability of the international
trading system and thus create a more favourable environment for India in the New World Economic
Order.
5) Growth To Services Exports :-
Under GATS agreement, member nations have liberalised service sector. India would benefit
from this agreement. For Eg:- Indias services exports have increased from about 5 billion US $ in
1995 to 96 billion US $ in 2009-10. Software services accounted for about 45% of service exports.
6) Foreign Investment :-
India has withdrawn a number of measures against foreign investment, as er the commitments
made to WTO. As a result of this, foreign investment and FDI has increased over the years. A number
of initiatives has been taken to attract FDI in India between 2000 and 2002. In 2009-10, the net FDI in
India was US $ 18.8 billion.

Negative Impact / Problems I Disadvantages Of WTO Agreements on Indian Economy :-

TRIPs :-
The Agreement on TRIPs at Uruguay Round weights heavily in favour of Multinational
Corporations and developed countries as they hold a very large number of patents. Agreement on
TRIPs will work against India in several ways and will lead to rponopoly of patent holding MNCs. As a
member of WTO, India has to comply with standards of TRIPs.
The negative impact of agreement on TRIPs on Indian economy can be stated as follows
a) Pharmaceutical Sector :-
Under the Patents Act, 1970, only process patents were granted to chemicals, drugs and
medicines. This means an Indian pharmaceutical company only needed to develop and patent a
process to produce and sell that drug. This proved beneficial to Indian pharmaceutical companies as
they were in a position to sell quality medicines at low prices both in domestic as well as in international
markets. However, under the agreement on TRIPs, product patents needs to be granted. This will
benefit the MNCs and it is feared that they will increase the prices of medicines heavily, keeping them
out of reach of poor. Again many Indian pharmaceutical companies may be closed down or taken over
by large MNCs.
b) Agriculture :-
The Agreement on TRIPs extends to agriculture through the patenting of plant varieties. This
may have serious implications for Indian agriculture. Patenting of plant varieties may transfer all gains in
the hands of MNCs who will be in a position to develop almost all new varieties with the help of their
huge financial resources and expertise.
c) Microorganisms :-
The Agreement on TRIPs also extends to Microorganisms as well. Research in micro -
organisms is closely linked with the development of agriculture, pharmaceuticals and industrial
biotechnology. Patenting of micro - organisms will again benefit large MNCs as they already have
patents in several areas and will acquire more at a much faster rate.
TRIMs :-
Agreement on TRIMs provide for treatment of foreign investment on par with domestic
investment. This Agreement too weights in favour of developed countries. There are no provisions in
Agreement to formulate international rules for controlling restrictive business practices of foreign
investors. Jn case of developing countries like India, complying with Agreement on TRIMs would mean
giving up any plan or strategy of self - reliant growth based on locally available technology and
resources.
GATS :-

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One of the main features of Uruguay Round was the inclusion of trade in services in
negotiations. This too will go in favour of developed countries. Under GATS agreements, the member
nations have to openup services sector for foreign companies. The developing countries including India
have opened up services sector in respect of banking, insurance, communication, telecom, transport
etc. to foreign firms. The domestic firms of developing countries may find it difficult to compete with giant
foreign firms due to lack of resources & professional skills.
Non - Tariff Barriers :-
Several countries have put up trade barriers and non - tariff barriers following the formation of
WTO. This has affected the exports from developing countries. The Union Commerce Ministry has
identified 13 different non - tariff barriers put up by 16 countries against India. For eg. MFA (Multi - fibre
arrangements) put by USA and European Union is a major barrier for Indian textile exports.
Agreement On Agriculture (AOA)
The AOA is biased in favour of developed countries. The issue of food security to developing
countries is not addressed adequately in AOA. The existence of global surpluses of food grains does
not imply that the poor countries can afford to buy. The dependence on necessary item like foodgrains
would adversely affect the Balance of Payment position.
Inequality Within The Structure Of WTO
There is inequality within the structure of WTO because the agreements and amendments
are in favour of developed countries. The member countries have to accept all WTO agreements
irrespective of their level of economic development.
LDC Exports
The 6th Ministerial Conference took place at Hong Kong in December 2005. In this
Conference, it was agreed that all developed country members and all developing countries
declaring themselves in a position to do so, will provide duty - free and quota - free market access on
a lasting basis to all products originating from all Least Developed Countries (LDC). India has agreed
to this. Now India's export will have to compete with cheap LDC exports internationally. Not only this,
the cheap LDC exports will come to Indian market and compete with domestically produced
goods.
India will face several problems in the process of complying with WTO agreements, but it can
also reap benefits by taking advantage of changing international business environment. For this it
needs to develop and concentrate on its areas of core competencies.

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