2004 Global Economic Outlook

Author: Writing Group for "Economic Outlook of the Global Economy in 2004"
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The Doha Agenda of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the WTO raised many controversial and important issues. "Economic Outlook of the Global Economy in 2004: Fulfilling Development Commitments under the Doha Agenda" analyzes the most contentious multilateral trade issues and proposes policy orientations aimed at improving the living standards of developing countries and reducing global poverty. The "Economic Outlook of the Global Economy in 2004" explores key issues currently under discussion—agricultural protection, trade in labor-intensive products, and special treatment for developing countries in other areas of services and communications; it also examines existing alternative solutions that can truly reduce poverty and promote development. Global negotiations are not easy and require time, but if the poor are allowed greater participation in world markets, it will provide new opportunities to improve their living standards. If the purpose of the discussion is to genuinely advance development, then such discussions must involve clear and detailed analysis of measures that could benefit the poor, enabling people to understand them. This is precisely the intention of the annual "Economic Outlook."