Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) published ‘A Framework Document on WTO Key Agreements: Doable Actions for Bangladesh’ to augment knowledge of the actors of the international trade.
The provisions of WTO agreements are crucial for the nation’s trade development as Bangladesh is graduating to a developing country in 2026. WTO rules, agreements and decisions should be thoroughly examined to exploit more trade opportunities. By analyzing the specific provisions and arrangements of the WTO key agreements, the publication has made attempts to assess their potential impacts, and relevance to Bangladesh's national interests. In addition, the framework document has identified doable actions for Bangladesh in the implementation of these decisions. The document contains the legal texts of ten (10) key agreements of WTO namely (i) Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), (ii) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), (iii) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), (iv) Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs), (v) Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures, (vi) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM), (vii) Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA), (viii) Agreement on General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), (ix) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and (x) Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes. Furthermore, it has identified doable actions for Bangladesh in the implementation of these agreements. The findings of this document will significantly contribute to augment knowledge related to the WTO Agreements. It will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in Bangladesh, offering insights and recommendations to develop the country's engagement with the WTO and optimize the benefits derived from these WTO Agreements.
