Introduction

Trade Policy Work Programme for 2002-03

In partnership with the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), and a range of local institutions, Global Dimensions is implementing an extensive work programme on trade policy issues during the year leading up to the WTO ministerial in Cancun in September 2003.

This work programme consists of three elements, all of which are interconnected:

• A series of Trade Policy Dialogues, held under Chatham house rules, based largely on the Singapore Issues.
   
• A Commonwealth Trade Forum on a broad range of trade issues likely to figure at Cancun.
   
• A special series of two roundtables on the issue of Trade Facilitation.

These events will provide material for a comprehensive policy paper to be prepared by Global Dimensions research director, Dr Razeen Sally.

Trade Policy Dialogues

• An inaugural Roundtable dialogue on EU-Commonwealth issues held in London on January 20th, 2003, at the LSE.
   
• A Roundtable Dialogue and Symposium on Trade Policy Challenges in East Asia and the Doha Round held in Singapore, 20 February 2003.
   
• A Singapore Issues roundtable jointly organised by the Federal Trust, the CBC, and the Global Dimensions programme of the LSE held in London on March 25th, 2003, at the LSE.

There will be further Roundtable dialogues on:

• Trade and Development and the Singapore issues in Johannesburg
   
• Singapore issues in Singapore
   
• Trade and Development and the Singapore Issues in Kuala Lumpur

Research Papers

Three papers have been commissioned that will form the basis for the deliberations of these roundtables.

• Investment by Prof Peter Muchlinski
   
• Competition Policy by Steve Woolcock
   
• Services by Julian Arkell

Commonwealth Trade Forum

• A Trade Forum to be held in Senate House, University of London, on July 7th and 8th, 2003. The Forum will bring together trade ministers, the trade policy community and business interests from within the Commonwealth and elsewhere to explore how the trade agenda can be advanced in the period leading up to Cancun.

Trade Facilitation Roundtables

• South African roundtable: Proposed for South Africa in Mid May 2003 (to be organised in co-ordination with the South African Revenue Service and with the support of SITPRO)
   
• Singapore roundtable Proposed for Singapore in late May 2003. (to be organised in collaboration with ISEAS, Singapore and with the support of SITPRO)

Comprehensive policy document

• The publication of a comprehensive policy document on the Doha round agenda, by July 2003.

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