Negotiating trade preferences

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has worked to obtain special trade preferences for developing countries to export their products to developed countries. It has also negotiated international commodities agreements to ensure fair prices for developing countries.

The EEC/EU's Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme was approved on 19th December 1994, and came into force January 1st 1995 to 31 December 1998.

1. The second round of negotiations of the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP) has now been concluded. It would be worthwhile considering the further deepening and expansion of the GSTP in order to enhance its effects. In that context, it would, however, be useful to examine possible ways of rationalizing the process of negotiations for a third round. (UNCTAD 2000)

1. Using preferential policies
2. Negotiating multilateral safeguard systems
3. Negotiating international policy

1. Strengthening involvement of NGOs in trade negotiations
2. Resolving trade conflicts
3. Promoting transparency in world trade negotiations
4. Influencing international service trade negotiations
5. Globalizing trade negotiations
6. Erecting international tariff barriers

1. Signing economic agreements
2. Distorting international trade by discriminatory preference agreements

1. Reducing discrimination under the generalized system of preferences
2. Negotiating cooperation agreements

1. Regulating world trade
2. Establishing economic zones