unctad.org | International Trade and Commodities

International Trade and Commodities

The goal of UNCTAD´s programmes on International Trade is to promote the development of developing countries through international trade; provide support for their participation in international trade negotiations; strengthen service-sector capacities in developing countries; promote the integration of trade, environment and development; analyse issues related to competition law, policy and development; and seek to enhance the contribution of the commodity sector to development through diversification and risk management.

NEWS

09 August 2012Lao PDR on target to complete WTO accession process in 2012

The Lao People's Democratic Republic, a land-locked LDC, is set to complete its WTO accession process by the end of this year. "The Lao PDR has come a long way this past decade ... we have made a herculean effort," said Dr. Nam Vinhaket, Minister of Industry and Commerce.

31 July 2012Iron ore production and trade set new records in 2011, UNCTAD report says

The world iron ore market achieved an all-time high for production in 2011 of 1.92 billion tons, UNCTAD’s Iron Ore Market 2011–2013 reports. But uncertainty over prices and decrease of corporate concentration signal tight conditions for several years to come, the study concludes.

13 July 2012Experts back UNCTAD proposal for technical assistance to four countries to bolster competition law and policy

A group of experts on competition policy has discussed the peer reviews of the competition laws and policies in three African countries and Mongolia, and has recommended that UNCTAD carry out a proposed technical assistance programme to follow up on progress already made in the field.

10 July 2012World merchandise exports volume growth slowed down to 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2011

In the fourth quarter of 2011, world merchandise exports and imports volume growth (over previous quarter) went up by 0.9% and 1.3% respectively. Both numbers are less than average growth rate in the same quarter of the past 5 years (2006-2010) with 2.8% and 2.2% respectively. This indicates a global slowdown in the trade activities.

04 July 2012Joint UNCTAD-WTO handbook launched on trade policy analysis

A Practical Guide to Trade Policy Analysis, co-published by the WTO and UNCTAD's Virtual Institute has been launched. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy and UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi describe it as a "state-of-the-art" tool for policy analysis and a contribution to a more level playing field in trade relations.

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