This paper maps out Rules of Origin (RoO) in regional trade agreements (RTAs) around the world, and observes that the restrictiveness and complexity of RoO are driven by factors specific to each RTA, including economy size and level of development.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of liberalisation in RTAs in the Americas in comparison to agreements in other world regions, and to put forth policy recommendations for multilateralising the regional RTAs. While primarily focusing on market access in goods-and tariff...

The paper presents some cautionary arguments with respect to the relationship between rules of origin and development, and proposes an alternative mechanism, extended cumulation, by which the problems generated by burdensome rules of origin might be alleviated without jeopardizing the...

This report represents a selection and analysis of key indicators that bear upon the particular set of issues that the IDB borrowing member countries are facing at this point. Some of the indicators presented in this report document the main pressures caused by economic development on the...

Free Trade Agreements: U.S. Promotion and Oversight of Latin American Implementation

Recent studies have shown that developing countries might have significantly better export performance if they were able to increase the duration of their trade relationships. Evidence on duration of these relationships at the firm level is virtually absent. In this paper, we aim at filling this...

According to the Washington Consensus, developing countries' growth would benefit from a reduction in tariffs and other barriers to trade. But a backlash against this view now suggests that trade policies have little or no impact on growth.

This presentation was commissioned by the Environment Network of the Regional Policy Dialogue for the III Hemispheric Meeting celebrated on March 9th and 10th, 2004. Purpose: Value changes in the coral reef environment to scuba divers in the Bonaire Marine Park. Method of Analysis:...

Canada's Experience in Implementing the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) provisions of the North American free trade agreement (NAFTA). The NAFTA has been a major success story for Canada since its entry into force on January 1, 1994.