Thesis (M.Sc.)(Agricultural Economics)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Title from opening screen (viewed March 27, 2006. Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references.

Master of Arts / Department of Economics / Peri da Silva / The literature concerning the economics of regional trade agreements (RTAs) has evolved from a theoretical perspective to an empirically based approach over the past decade. Specifically, this report examines the various empirical studies on the economic determinants of RTAs and the likelihood of RTAs between country-pairs. Scott L. Baier and Jeffrey H. Bergstrand (2004) or BB (2004) provide us the first empirical work on the economic determinants of RTAs. Their model predicts fairly accurately, 85% of the 286 RTAs in 1996 among 1431 country-pairs, and 97% of the remaining 1145 pairs with no RTAs based on economic features. In this report, we begin with an introduction to RTAs, and then we will explore the contribution of BB (2004), as well as other economists’ empirical findings on the economics of RTAs, using empirical strategies similar to BB’s (2004) study.

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<p>Government procurement is a very important aspect of international tradeas it can either promote or inhibit trade depending on laws and policies of a country. The study is confined to issues pertaining to the role of RTAs in establishing government procurement standards that resemble or conform to those of the GPA in developing countries. The study used Africa as a case study by evaluating selected RTAs that have been signed focussing on RTAs such as the procurementinitiativeof the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. The major objectives of the study were to examine the role of the existing international regulatory instruments towards the harmonisation of global standards on government procurement. The reserach aimed at analysing the role of the WTOs GPA as a possible global standard for government procurement and to investigate reasons of limited membership by developing countries.</p>

This thesis first examines the overall development of the EEC-China trade and economic relations. It then analyses the changing Chinese economy, the non-market economy theory, its application and implication in EEC-China bilateral trade relations. It is suggested that China is no longer a traditional NME after ten years of reform; its economy is in a transitional stage changing from an NME towards a mixed economy. The thesis then reviews the 1978 EEC-China trade agreement. It is found that this agreement provides a highly restrictive MFN treatment between the parties, because China is not a member of the GATT, and is classified as an NME. The thesis analyses the legal framework and problems under the 1978 agreement, and its nature and possible legal effect both in the Community legal system and in the Chinese legal system. It then goes on to look at the Community internal regulations which govern imports from China. The thesis also reviews the 1985 economic cooperation agreement between the EEC and China. It analyses the background and development of the agreement; the areas for cooperation and the investment clause. The cooperation agreement, it is submitted, is more an expression of political goodwill rather than a comprehensive economic cooperation framework such as the home convention. A particular area, namely, antidumping, is separately discussed. This is not only because China is one of the principal targets of the EEC antidumping proceedings, but also the EEC employs a special set of rules against imports from China, as well as other NIlE countries. Trade in textiles is also special interested. It consists of major European imports from China, and as such has a special legal regime. The analysis suggests that trade in textiles between the EEC and China has become more restrictive since 1979. Finally, both the impacts of a single market in 1992 and China's efforts to rejoin the GATF are discussed. It is suggested that the EC should continue to be committed to free trade in theory and more importantly in practice, and to remove existing restrictions on imports from China; whereas China should continue its economic reform and gradually open up its own market to the EC.

<p>Government procurement is a very important aspect of international tradeas it can either promote or inhibit trade depending on laws and policies of a country. The study is confined to issues pertaining to the role of RTAs in establishing government procurement standards that resemble or conform to those of the GPA in developing countries. The study used Africa as a case study by evaluating selected RTAs that have been signed focussing on RTAs such as the procurementinitiativeof the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. The major objectives of the study were to examine the role of the existing international regulatory instruments towards the harmonisation of global standards on government procurement. The reserach aimed at analysing the role of the WTOs GPA as a possible global standard for government procurement and to investigate reasons of limited membership by developing countries.</p>

<p>The study is based on the views of different world authorities on the Kyoto protocol. The current legal status regarding the different opinions and arguments are also considered. This study is limited to defining what allocation of allowances, units and credits as created by the Kyoto protocol can be defined as goods, products, services or subsidies under WTO body of rules .</p>

<p>The study is based on the views of different world authorities on the Kyoto protocol. The current legal status regarding the different opinions and arguments are also considered. This study is limited to defining what allocation of allowances, units and credits as created by the Kyoto protocol can be defined as goods, products, services or subsidies under WTO body of rules .</p>

Diss. Uppsala : Univ., 2003.

Magister Legum - LLM / The study is based on the views of different world authorities on the Kyoto protocol. The current legal status regarding the different opinions and arguments are also considered. This study is limited to defining what allocation of allowances, units and credits as created by the Kyoto protocol can be defined as goods, products, services or subsidies under WTO body of rules. / South Africa