Manel de SilvaLooking back at 2010 and looking forward to 2011
As 2010 comes to an end, we look back at a year which is slowly recovering from a global financial meltdown which was the worst in decades.
A report released by WTO, OECD, UNCTAD in March 2010 on the G20 trade and investment measures estimated that world trade had fallen by around 12% in 2009 which was the level in 2006.
Protectionist measures
A report released by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on developments in the international trading environment at the end of November warns of a risk of protectionist measures by many countries facing a possibility of high unemployment.
UN conference on climate change and Sri Lanka
Almost one year ago, 193 members of the UN Climate Convention incorporated the Copenhagen Accord in the final decisions of their annual conference.
Free trade agreements
Free trade agreement is a well known term used in global trade today. The term free trade agreement is used to describe a special trade agreement between two countries or a number of countries belonging to a grouping agreeing to eliminate tariffs between the agreed parties.
Eyes on Egypt
In the globalised world of today where the world is an oyster, one needs to explore markets which have not been explored substantially. In the past, concentration for exports was on the developed markets.
Calling Pakistan
It was reported recently that the President of Pakistan is due to visit Sri Lanka in November and that a business delegation will be accompanying him. Pakistan is also one of Sri Lanka’s friendly neighbours, with very close ties to Sri Lanka.
India remains a compelling opportunity for Sri Lanka
In my last week’s column, the importance of exploring emerging markets for Sri Lanka’s exports was analysed. Sri Lanka is well placed geographically to tap many of the emerging markets.
Developing countries and emerging markets
The global meltdown witnessed recently has had reverberating impact across the entire world. The impact on global trade has resulted in what might be a permanent change in global economic leadership.
Development trends
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recently released its report on trade and development for 2010. The report gives an overview of global developments since 2009 and some thoughts on development trends in the future.
Anti counterfeiting trade agreement
Talks on the controversial Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement are said to be nearing end with the round of negotiations held in Japan at the end of September.
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