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WTO Regional Trade Policy Course: 24 September 2012- 16 November 2012

The Centre for WTO Studies (CWS) is hosting the second edition of WTO's flagship Regional Trade Policy Course (RTPC) for Asia-Pacific Countries from 24 September -16 November 2011. The first one was organized last year between 5 September to 25 November 2011. RTPCs are two-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 will be attended by
25 participants from 19 countries/economies from Asia-Pacific region. The countries/economies representing in the RTPC for Asia- Pacific Region includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam.

WTO is the only multilateral organization that deals with rules on international trade. It has a complex menu of trade related rules namely, binding of customs tariff and disciplines on non-tariff measures like Customs Valuation, Technical Barriers to trade, Subsidies, Anti-dumping, Safeguards, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Rules of Origin, etc.. There are separate disciplines for Trade in Services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and on Intellectual Property Rights like Trademarks, Copyright, Patents, Geographical Indication etc. under TRIPs (Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights). The schedule of two-month training covers all the above subjects. The training is for middle level officials of trade and foreign ministries of Asia-Pacific countries for duration of 8 weeks. It is conducted by classroom sessions, practical exercises, negotiation simulation and other pedagogical tools.

A number of cultural visits will be organized for the participants during their stay in New Delhi, which includes Delhi Sightseeing, Delhi Heritage Walk, a day’s visit to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort and some other places of interest in and around Delhi.