Industrial Policy and the WTO

The working definition of industrial policy is "government efforts to alter industrial structure to promote productivity and growth". This paper is a review of the objectives and instruments of industrial policy in the changing global context of multilateral rules and discipline. It examines the theory, objectives and justifications of industrial policy, the instruments used and assessment as to whether changes have been the result of multilateral developments or unilateral reform...
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The working definition of industrial policy is "government efforts to alter industrial structure to promote productivity and growth". This paper is a review of the objectives and instruments of industrial policy in the changing global context of multilateral rules and discipline. It examines the theory, objectives and justifications of industrial policy, the instruments used and assessment as to whether changes have been the result of multilateral developments or unilateral reform efforts. it also looks at the extent to which WTO rules affect a members ability to pursue industrial policy objectives.This is part of the UNCTAD Study Series of 8 publications, which review economic and trade issues that affect developing countries.