The Centre for WTO Studies (CWS) hosted the 3 month WTO Regional Trade Policy Course (RTPC) from 5th September 2011 to 25th November 2011. RTPCs are three-month courses for government officials from developing countries/separate customs territories, LDCs, economies in transition, and countries in the process of accession to the WTO. The course was attended by 25 officials from 19 countries/economies from Asia-Pacific region. The countries/economies represented in the RTPC for Asia- Pacific Region included Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macao China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Hon’ble Mr. Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Textiles, Hon’ble Mr. Pascal Lamy, Director General WTO and Dr. Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary participated in the inaugural function on 5 September 2011. The three month course covered the entire gamut of disciplines on WTO. It also had practical training through negotiation simulation, projects and exercises which provided in depth exposure to WTO and international trade issues. It was not only study all the time. Cultural visits to Jaipur, Agra and other places in Delhi were organised which participants found very interesting.

The programme concluded on 25th Nov. 2011 with a closing ceremony organized at IIFT. Candidates were awarded diploma by Mr. Rajeev Kher, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Mr. K.T. Chacko, Director IIFT and Mr. Clemens Boonekamp, Director Agriculture and Commodities Division, WTO Secretariat.

The first RTPC for the Asia-Pacific region was held by the WTO in 2004 in partnership with the University of Hong Kong, a partnership which lasted until 2006. This was succeeded by a partnership with the National University of Singapore from 2007 to 2010. Since its inception, a total of 209 Government officials have successfully completed the Asia-Pacific RTPC. Over 40 regional academic/trade specialists from numerous universities and institutions have been involved in the delivery of the course since 2004.