## Reference Note on Trade Policy, Preferential Trade Agreements, and WTO Consistency

_Policy Papers, October 1, 2010_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Reference Note on Trade Policy, Preferential Trade Agreements, and WTO Consistency](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/reference-note-on-trade-policy-preferential-trade-agreements-and-wto-consistency-pp4486)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/reference-note-on-trade-policy-preferential-trade-agreements-and-wto-consistency-pp4486/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/reference-note-on-trade-policy-preferential-trade-agreements-and-wto-consistency-pp4486/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/reference-note-on-trade-policy-preferential-trade-agreements-and-wto-consistency-pp4486/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: October 1, 2010
- Series: Policy Papers

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### Purpose and scope
- Introduces guidance on preferential trade agreements (PTAs).
- Responds to the request by the Executive Board in the context of the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) Evaluation of IMF Involvement in Trade Policy Issues.

### Context for the Fund’s work on trade policy (Section II)
- Draws upon the 2009 IEO Evaluation.
- Draws upon the 2005 Review of Fund Work on Trade.
- Draws upon the discussion of the Executive Board on these occasions.

### Issues reflected (Section III)
- Reflects issues presented in Preferential Trade Agreements—Issues for the Fund.
- Notes those issues were discussed at an informal Board seminar in December 2006.

### Key publication metadata and access
- Publication date: October 1, 2010
- Citation example (format: Chicago): Reference Note on Trade Policy, Preferential Trade Agreements, and WTO Consistency, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 0) accessed 9/15/2026
- Subjects: Collaboration with other international organizations; Fund role; International trade agreements; Surveillance; Trade policy; Trade preferences; World Trade Organization

*Reference Note on Trade Policy, Preferential Trade Agreements, and WTO Consistency (IMF web landing page).*

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## Content in this bundle

- **This Reference Note introduces guidance on preferential trade agreements**
  - [This Reference Note introduces guidance on preferential trade agreements (Markdown version)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/np/pp/eng/2010/_093010.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [This Reference Note introduces guidance on preferential trade agreements (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/np/pp/eng/2010/_093010.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/reference-note-on-trade-policy-preferential-trade-agreements-and-wto-consistency-pp4486_