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Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site. Sweden is a member of the World Trade Organization WTO , the leading multilateral trade policy forum and successor to GATT.

WTO | Understanding the WTO - principles of the trading system

Sweden became a signatory to GATT as early as The multilateral trading system was subject to heavy pressures during the global recession of the early s. This was an important reason for Sweden being an early supporter of plans for a new round of negotiations aimed at strengthening GATT, halting protectionist trends and contributing to further trade liberalization.

WTO | Understanding the WTO - principles of the trading system

After more than seven years of negotiations, it ended in December One result of the negotiations, which strengthens and extends the multilateral trading system, was an agreement to establish the WTO, which went into effect on January 1, In December the WTO held its first regular ministerial meeting in Singapore.

The organization successfully reached an information technology agreement, which will be of great importance to the growing trade in IT products. In important agreements were concluded in the areas of basic telecommunication services and financial services.

The second WTO ministerial meeting was held in Geneva in May The WTO General Council was mandated to start preparations for decisions to be taken on further multilateral trade negotiations. A decision to this end is expected at the next WTO ministerial meeting in the USA at the end of The establishment of the WTO marks a new era in multilateral trade cooperation.

The WTO constitutes a common, uniform framework of multilateral trade relations. Its policies will enhance the political importance of these relations because of its close ties with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF)

Furthermore, the WTO has recognized the importance of the environment for the first time in the context of multilateral trade rules. For example, sizable reductions of tariffs and other trade barriers will give Swedish exports better access to a number of important markets. The Agreement on Agriculture is pioneering, since it is the first time that agricultural trade has been seriously integrated into the multilateral system.

Another example is that current quotas for textiles and clothing are to be phased out over a ten-year period. Embassy of Sweden 13, Mohamed Mazhar St. Search on this web. How to apply Required documents Visiting relatives and friends — extra documents Business visit — extra documents Sports or cultural visit — extra documents Tourist visit — extra documents Minors — extra documents Medical travel insurance Visit for longer than 90 days — documents Fees Appeals Visa for visiting Sweden Schengen Agreement Important information Legalization of documents Study in Sweden Studyinsweden.