ANALYSIS OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS OF CONCERN TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), June 2005. This paper identifies non-tariff barriers (NTBs) faced by developing countries in their trade with developed countries and among each other. The goal is to raise awareness of barriers that interfere with the ability of developing countries to build up trade. The study also draws attention to developing countries’ forward-looking export strategies and potential barriers related to them. Overall, the report highlights similarities and differences in barriers reported in the data reviewed, and compares barriers reported for trade with developed countries with those for trade among developing countries. Available online at http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2004doc.nsf/43bb6130e5e86e5fc12569fa005d004c/3f6065538ae61034c125701500549301/$FILE/JT00185671.PDF.
WTO ANNUAL REPORT 2005. World Trade Organization, July 2005. The WTO’s annual report discusses institutional matters such as descriptions of its main activities and information on its budget and staff. Marking the tenth anniversary of the organisation, this report also contains a section reviewing developments since 1995, as well as a look at potential future challenges. Available online at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/annual_report_e.htm.
ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELL-BEING: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, July 2005. This report summarises key trends in ecosystems and their services, particularly trends of importance to business. The report also reviews how the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment findings affect businesses’ bottom line. The report argues that companies using natural resources more wisely are likely to see larger profits and enjoy greater long-term stability. Available online at http://www.millenniumassessment.org//en/index.aspx.
ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS NEGOTIATIONS: ISSUES AND OPTIONS FOR ENSURING WIN-WIN OUTCOMES. By Sandeep Singh. International Institute for Sustainable Development, June 2005. This paper analyses possible approaches to ensure a balance in trade gains in the ongoing negotiations on environmental goods. The piece discusses the progress made in the negotiations thus far vis-à-vis different Members’ positions. It suggests that a combination of special and differential treatment (S&D) provisions and bringing environmentally preferable products of export interest to developing countries into the ambit of environmental goods, could offer a balanced deal to the developing countries. Available online at http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2005/trade_environmental_goods.pdf.
THE WTO AND DIRECT TAXATION. By Michael Daly. World Trade Organization, June 2005. This paper provides an overview of the extent to which WTO rules apply to taxation, particularly direct taxation. It contains a summary of disputes concerning income tax measures that have arisen at the WTO since its establishment, with special attention to the protracted dispute between the EU and the US over the latter’s "foreign sales corporation" (FSC) scheme and, its replacement, the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion Act (ETI). Available online at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/discussion_papers9_e.pdf.
WORLD ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SURVEY 2005: FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT. United Nations World Economic and Social Survey, July 2005. This report focuses on the Monterrey Consensus as the current framework for international cooperation for development. It examines the correspondingly broad agenda for action that was set out in the Consensus, recognising the numerous accomplishments to date. It also draws attention to future actions — particularly in the financing and trade areas — that need to be undertaken in the years ahead to both achieve the Millennium Development Goals and promote the broader United Nations Development Agenda. Available online at http://www.un.org/esa/policy/wess/.