Tuesday 9 November 2010

Lamy says more and more products are “Made in the World”

I came across this post from the World Trade Organisation(WTO) website,regarding more and more products are "MADE IN THE WORLD"

A speech from Lammy :

"In the 19th Century, when Ricardo developed what was to become the foundations of international trade theory, countries exported what they produced. In fact, the industrial revolution took root in countries that had coal mines and iron ore. A Portuguese entrepreneur importing a steam engine from England would know that everything from the steel of the wheels to the boiler pressure gauge came from the United Kingdom. Similarly, an English club importing Port wine for its members could be sure that it came from Portugal...."

So with manufacturing, we have an integrated production system, in which products are made all over the world. This is an improvement, right? We are becoming more integrated, and losing touch with our old nationalist impulses. It has not yet happened for people. but at least our products are truly "citizens of the world".

And yet with "designations of origin," the old ways remain. Products come from one country only; production is not integrated. I know he refers to "progress" on registered designation of origin, but was the larger point intended as a subtle dig at the idea of designations of origin and the 19th century mentality they reflect?

Probably not, but still, the contrast between the two situation is noticeable.

There are some problems to come in this area and how the WTO agreements interact in this issue?



=yinyen gan=

No comments:

Post a Comment