Issue No. 615, 16-30 April 2016
FfD forum produces disappointing outcome

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FfD review forum fails to deliver meaningful outcomes
A UN forum mandated to advance the mobilization of resources to fund development ended up yielding little of note, report Ranja Sengupta and Bhumika Muchhala.

US and friends line up against development goals in Doha services talks
The first meeting of the WTO negotiating body on services trade since the Nairobi Ministerial Conference brought into relief the differing priorities of developing and developed countries in this sector.
by D. Ravi Kanth

EU airs aggressive new trade agenda after sinking Doha talks
After playing a major part in undermining the Doha Round talks, the EU is now pursuing a fresh trade agenda at the WTO, one that could entrench developed-country dominance in the global trading system.
by D. Ravi Kanth

Azevedo pressure on members to amend export subsidy schedules
WTO chief Roberto Azevedo’s move to get member states to amend their schedules of commitments on farm export subsidies has thrown up question marks among some trade envoys.
by D. Ravi Kanth

WTO environmental goods pact vs climate change accord
Ongoing plurilateral talks to free up trade in “environmental goods” are not quite the climate-change-tackling initiative they are touted to be, writes D. Ravi Kanth.

Commodities rout threatens commodity-dependent countries
Low commodity prices are clouding the outlook for commodity-dependent developing countries, says a UN development body, pointing to the need for policy measures to promote diversification of these economies.
by Kanaga Raja

Flows to offshore financial hubs remain sizeable
An UNCTAD report which tracks investment flows to offshore financial hubs has underlined the need for coherence between international tax and investment policies to deal with tax dodging and facilitate cross-border productive investment.
by Kanaga Raja

Opinion: A look at illicit financial flows
Illicit capital outflows from developing countries hurt government revenues and society at large.
by Jomo Kwame Sundaram