Foreword by the WTO Director-General

It is a central premise of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that trade drives growth and development. By liberalizing trade, countries benefit not only from increased access to technology and consumer goods but also from the chance to find new markets and connect to global value chains. This can quickly translate into GDP growth and a rise in the standard of living. But why do some countries seem to benefit more – and more quickly – than others? That is the question that this book tries to answer.