Economic Development and the WTO After Doha*

This paper analyzes what actions could be taken in the context of the WTO Doha negotiations to assist countries to benefit from deeper trade integration. It discusses the policy agenda that confronts many developing countries and identifies a number of focal points that could be used both as targets and as benchmarks to increase the likelihood that WTO negotiations will support development. To achieve these targets a number of negotiating modalities are proposed for both goods and services-related market access issues, as well as rule making in regulatory areas. Throughout the analysis reference is made to the work of J. Michael Finger, whose numerous writings in this area have not only greatly influenced the thinking of policymakers and researchers on the interaction between trade policy, economic development and the GATT/WTO trading system, but also provide a model for how to pursue effective policy research.