Welcome to Centre for WTO Studies

WTO Regional Trade Policy Course Asia-Pacific Region New Delhi 08th September to 31st October 2014

1. The Centre for WTO Studies organized the Fourth WTO Regional Trade Policy Course (RTPC) from 08th September to 31st October 2014 in collaboration with the WTO. The training programme was held for a period of 2 months at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi IFT. The RTPC was attended by 29 government officials from countries and economies of the Asia-Pacific region, viz., Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vanuatu.

2. The programme was inaugurated on 08th September 2014 by Shri Rajeev Kher, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India in the presence of Dr. Surajit Mitra, Director IIFT, Shri Shishir Priyadarshi, Director, Trade and Development Division, WTO and others.

3. The RTPC is a level 2 (intermediate) stage of the progressive learning methodology of the WTO. Its objectives are, inter-alia, to provide detailed explanation of the important WTO Agreements and the Doha Development Agenda; to provide a regional perspective to the topics covered and to increase the networking capabilities of the participants.

4. The RTPC covered topics relevant to WTO member countries such as International Trade Theory, International Trade Policy, Dispute Settlement, GATT, GATS, RTAs, TRIPS, Customs Issues, Trade Remedies, Trade and Development, Agriculture, TBT, SPS, Trade and Environment, and Market Access. Participants were also exposed to hands-on training on Trade Negotiations. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Noida Special Economic Zone and witness some practical aspects of international trade.

5. In the course of their stay, a number of cultural activities were organized for the participants: Delhi sightseeing; visit to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; Palm reading & Yoga sessions; Sound & light show at Purana Qilla (Old Fort); Delhi Heritage Walk.

6. During the last week an extensive revision workshop was conducted which was followed by a final exam. To everyone’s delight, all participants had successfully passed the exam; some with distinction.

7. The programme concluded on 31st October 2014 with an evaluation of the programme by the participants. Shri J.S. Deepak, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce; Shri Roberto Fiorentino and Shri Samer Seif El- Yazal from ITTC-WTO besides Prof. Abhijit Das, Head, CWS and Prof. Mukesh Bhatnagar, CWS were present during the evaluation and closing ceremony.

For Virtual Classroom, Click here

For YouTube's Video, Click here