World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Updated October 2003
 

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Guiding Principles/Objectives

Programmes

Electronic commerce creates new challenges and opportunities for trade for members at all stages of development.

WTO recognises the importance of creating and maintaining an environment that is favourable to the future development of e-Commerce.

The Doha WTO Ministerial 2001 Declaration states that members will maintain their current practice of not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions until the Fifth Session.

Information Technology Agreement (ITA):
More than 60 WTO Members have joined in an agreement to eliminate customs duties on the import of ICT related equipment. It is anticipated that negotiations will aim to further expand the ITA, both in adherents and in scope, in the course of the Doha Round.

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS):
The negotiations on further liberalizing trade in services in the context of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations have demonstrated a willingness of WTO Members to prioritize sectors of importance to ICT.  Both developed and developing countries have tabled proposals calling more liberalization of, e.g. telecommunications, computer services and other IT services.

Areas of Application:

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The work programme on electronic commerce examines all trade-related issues relating to global electronic commerce, taking into account the economic, financial, and development needs of developing countries including the intellectual property issues arising in connection with electronic commerce.

The WTO Secretariat undertakes an extensive program of technical assistance missions to enable developing countries to enhance their participation in the negotiations on all aspects of the WTO, including areas of relevance to ICT.

In addition the Secretariat provides individualized technical advice to members, upon request, on the formulation of the "offers" they may wish to table in the course of the negotiations.

Participation in Multi-donor Programmes:

► infoDev and other World Bank programs and donor facilities

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Ms. Lee Tuthill, Sr. Counsellor, Trade in Services Division, World Trade Organization, Lee.Tuthill@wto.org