Asia Pacific Economic Integration and the Gatt-Wto Regime

This work presents a detailed analysis of the application of the WTO rule on regional arrangements to the current attempts at co-operation in the Asia Pacific region & makes recommendations for an institutional framework for economic integration in the region. The author argues that a framework for regional co-operation must be flexible in allowing for differential sub-regional arrangements & for a development-oriented trade policy, which has been common in some countries in the region. This thesis is based on a comprehensive account of the history & development of regional co-operation, & of the region's diversified economies & export-oriented development needs. The work concludes with a suggested institutional structure for an Asia Pacific regional arrangement, with particular regard for the compatibility with GATT/WTO rules, including specific recommendations regarding trade & investment liberalisation, economic harmonisation & dispute settlement. Asia Pacific Economic Integration & the GATT/WTO Regime will be of interest to academics, researchers, policy makers & practitioners with an interest in trade, economic & development law.