Introduction
International business is increasingly conducted under the framework of international law, designed to remove trade barriers and promote fair competition. The World Trade Organization (WTO) plays a central role in establishing global trade practices, but other multilateral and bilateral agreements are also significant.
This program provides a practical, non-specialist introduction to international trade law, WTO rules, and government procurement legislation, equipping participants to navigate international trading environments effectively.
Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Understand the objectives, principles, and legal framework of WTO agreements
- Review WTO obligations, commitments, and dispute settlement processes
- Apply WTO rules and bilateral/multilateral trade agreements in practice
- Understand government procurement legislation and its implications for international trade
- Gain awareness of Incoterms and their proper usage in contracts
- Promote ethical compliance and corporate social responsibility in international trade
Target Audience
This program is designed for:
- Procurement and purchasing professionals engaged in international trade
- Contract managers and legal advisors involved in cross-border agreements
- Export and import managers
- Compliance and risk management professionals
- Managers in supply chain and logistics dealing with global sourcing
Course Outlines
Day 1 – Setting the Scene
- Overview and history of the WTO
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Principles underlying world trade agreements
- Economic trade principles and development assumptions
- Scope and limitations of WTO agreements
- GATT and Doha Round negotiations
- Legal remedies and dispute settlement mechanisms
Day 2 – Practical Application of WTO Practices
- WTO obligations and commitments
- Trade defense instruments: Anti-dumping legislation
- Tariffs and non-tariff barriers
- Subsidies and their implications
- Innovation, intellectual property, and R&D considerations
Day 3 – Government Procurement under WTO
- Objectives and intentions of government procurement legislation
- EU and US legislation frameworks
- Exclusions, exemptions, and acceptable practices
- Supporting local businesses and economic development
- International trade development strategies
Day 4 – Incoterms
- Purpose and applicability of Incoterms
- Detailed review of Incoterms 2010
- Definitions and use in commercial contracts
- Practical pitfalls and implementation challenges
Day 5 – International Ethics
- Best practices for avoiding corruption
- Bribery Act (EU) and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (USA)
- Standards in ethical behavior
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in international trade
