A New Global Trade Deal

An international agreement estimated to boost global trade by $1 trillion a year has entered into force. Roberto Azevedo, the Director General of the World Trade Organization, called this agreement "the biggest reform of global trade in a generation".

It is necessary to recall that the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was finally agreed in 2013, at a meeting in Bali, but could not come into force until 110 countries had ratified it.

The TFA involves streamlining customs procedures, which is considered to have a bigger impact than eliminating all existing taxes (tariffs) on imports. Countries will sign up to a long list of reforms, including easier access for businesses to information, reduced fees and simpler and faster procedures.

According to the WTO economists, the agreement would cut the cost of trading by about 14.3%. They also said that the developing nations would gain the most.

The Trade Facilitation Agreement is one of the few successes of a much wider set of negotiations that were launched in 2001 at the Doha Round.

Source:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39049074

15 Countries With the Highest Quality of Life Index

InterNations (the largest global community for people living abroad) surveyed 14,300 expatriates, of 174 nationalities, from 191 countries to rate different aspects of life abroad. The participants were asked questions on the following aspects: Leisure Options, Personal Happiness, Travel and Transport, Health and Well-Being, Safety and Security.

Here is the list of 15 countries with the highest Quality of Life Index (2016):

1. Taiwan - is a newcomer which rose right to the top of the 67 countries

2. Austria - comes in first in the Health & Well-Being subcategory and impresses with its clean air and healthcare.

3. Japan - leads in transport and peacefulness

4. Spain - occupies the second place in leisure options category.

5. Costa Rica - leads in personal happiness.

6. Malta - is on the 1st place in the category leisure options.

7. Czech Republic - is on the 4th place in the travel and transport category.

8. Singapore -  was the winner of the Quality of Life Index in 2015.

9. Germany - comes 7th in the health and well-being category.

10. Switzerland - occupies the 6th position in the safety and security category.

11. South Korea - is raked 7th in the travel and transport category.

12. Canada - comes 4th position in the safety and security category.

13. New Zealand - is raked 6th in the personal happiness category and 8th in safety and security.

14. Portugal - is on the 11th place in the leisure options category.

15. France - comes 8th in the health and well-being category.

Source:
https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/2016/quality-of-life-index

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