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SINGAPORE ISSUES
The “Singapore Issues” have been the most controversial issues discussed or negotiated in the World Trade Organization (WTO) since its establishment in 1995. These issues were pushed by the European Union and opposed by most developing countries. The “Singapore Issues” are four subjects identified during the Singapore Ministerial Conference in 1996, but they were also included on the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and Doha Round. The issues are:
1) Investment: The issue focuses on the idea to create rules for the investors rights against any interference of the host country.
2) Competition policy: The issue focuses in creating rules to ensure fair competition, without discrimination between foreign and domestic companies, including for government monopolies.
3) Government procurement: It refers to the transparency to allow foreign companies to participate in a non-discriminated competitions.
4)Trade facilitation: It refers to the creation of new rules that require governments to simplify and reduce the cost of transactions.
Editor: Giovanni AVERSA
