Towards a Revised GATT/WTO Special and Differential Treatment Regime for Least Developed and Developing Countries

Abstract

The envisaged benefits of the special and differential treatment (S&DT) is that developed countries will provide a supportive environment to least-developed countries (LDCs) through amongst others: providing preferential access to their markets; providing technical and other assistance which would permit them to meet their WTO obligations; developed countries implementing WTO associated agreements subject to conscious and positive consideration of interests of LDCs; LDCs given the privilege of more time to meet their obligations under WTO agreements. However, the asymmetry that exists as regards developed countries and LDCs in terms of the levels of development reveals some inefficiencies of the application of S&DT regime. The current S&DT system needs be revised.