Proceedings of the Fourth Pacific Trade and Development Conference : Obstacles to trade in the Pacific area

Abstract

The Fourth Pacific Trade and Development Conference was held in Ottawa, Canada, on October 7 to 10, 1971. The Conference program was outlined in the late summer of 1970, but it proved particularly topical in the wake of the currency and trade crisis following August 15, 1971. Although the realignment of currencies agreed in December has eased international monetary relationships, trade problems remain. Especially in the Pacific area, the potential of trade as an engine of economic growth and as a basis for constructive political relationships is difficult to overemphasize. The mutuality of interests in international trade between the developed countries of the region is well known. Of increasing importance is the export potential and performance of developing countries in South and East Asia. The future record of industrially advanced countries in reduction or control of barriers to trade affecting developing countries' exports will test the sincerity of many who have professed to favour the liberalization of trade as a stimulus to development. The willingness and ability of developed countries to adjust their industrial structure will be the major theme of the Fifth Trade and Development Conference scheduled for Tokyo in January, 1973. The Canadian host committee of the Fourth Conference in releasing the proceedings of the Conference wish to express appreciation to all those who have made possible the success of the Conference and the preparation of this volume. In particular, we wish to thank the public and private financial supporters in Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States whose assistance has been essential. We also wish to thank those students, faculty, and staff members at Carleton who helped with local arrangements and the editing and preparation of the proceedings. The main responsibility for the latter task rested on Tom Burlington, who has recently gone to Japan to take up employment with the International Development Center of Japan. Show more