Implications of Rules of Origin: An Analysis

The formulation of appropriate criteria for origin determination is crucial for any country or regional trading block interested in ensuring growth and economic. Perhaps this is the single most important reason that explains the aggressive negotiating stance adopted by various member countries at the WTO during the last decade while attempting to formulate a set of harmonized Rules of Origin (RoO) for non-preferential trade. This paper attempts to put in focus some of the more important and emerging issues relating to RoO for the benefit of all stakeholders in international trade including the traders, trade administrators and the policy makers dealing with both trade and development issues.