Is the WTO still relevant?

Despite its success, there is still scepticism about this rules-making body.

EARLIER this month, 30 parliamentarians from across Asia gathered in Singapore for a three-day workshop to understand the intricacies of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). What was apparent is that while the participants acknowledged that the WTO is the only global organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations, they were unclear, or unconvinced, of its relevance in today’s environment.