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Export promotion schemes can play an important part in the development strategies of countries, especially of developing countries that seek to make exports an engine for economic growth. Membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a critical tool for participation in the multilateral trading system. It requires opening domestic markets to international trade – where exceptions and flexibilities have not been not negotiated – but also provides huge market opportunities for domestic producers.
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Starting with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1947, successive rounds of multilateral negotiations have brought increasing trade liberalization, mainly by lowering tariff levels around the world. Domestic industries that were previously protected by high tariffs face growing international competition and the struggle for foreign markets has intensified. In an increasingly competitive world, it is crucial, particularly for developing countries, to know what types of instruments to encourage exports are available, or might be available, under existing international trade rules.
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Agriculture is a highly sensitive topic in virtually every country. In general, agricultural products are easily exported, hence the potential for trade is vast. Every country seeks to maximize economic advantages for its own agricultural sector for social, economic and political reasons. Thus, agriculture trade has been a topic of almost continuous negotiations, and was singled out for special treatment even during the GATT 1947 years.
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