WTO: World Trade Organization

Objectives of WTO:
Objectives of WTO

Important objectives of WTO are mentioned below:

(i) to implement the new world trade system as visualised in the Agreement;

(ii) to promote World Trade in a manner that benefits every country;

(iii) to ensure that developing countries secure a better balance in the sharing of the advantages resulting from the expansion of international trade corresponding to their developmental needs;

(iv) to demolish all hurdles to an open world trading system and usher in international economic renaissance because the world trade is an effective instrument to foster economic growth;

(v) to enhance competitiveness among all trading partners so as to benefit consumers and help in global integration;

(vi) to increase the level of production and productivity with a view to ensuring level of employment in the world;

(vii) to expand and utilize world resources to the best;

(viii) to improve the level of living for the global population and speed up economic development of the member nations.

Functions of WTO
Functions of WTO

The former GATT was not really an organisation; it was merely a legal arrangement. On the other hand, the WTO is a new international organisation set up as a permanent body. It is designed to play the role of a watchdog in the spheres of trade in goods, trade in services, foreign investment, intellectual property rights, etc. Article III has set out the following five functions of WTO;

(i) The WTO shall facilitate the implementation, administration and operation and further the objectives of this Agreement and of the Multilateral Trade Agreements, and shall also provide the frame work for the implementation, administration and operation of the plurilateral Trade Agreements.

(ii) The WTO shall provide the forum for negotiations among its