Trade in Natural Resources: A Blessing or A Curse?

This roundtable discussion reviewed the key findings of the World Trade Report 2010 “Trade in Natural Resources”. Specifically, it discussed the appropriate mix of trade and domestic policies such as export taxes and/or quotas; import restrictions; consumption taxes and subsidies that Egypt could employ to ensure a sustainable level of resource extraction that balances the competing needs of present and future generations; hedge against large swings in resource prices; protect the environment; diversify economic activity and increase the scope of Middle East intra-regional trade in natural resources