It demonstrates how the Agreement has not only made high-tech products more affordable but has also helped to promote innovation and to support developing economies’ integration into global production networks. To mark the 20th anniversary of the ITA this publication analyses the impact of the ITA on its participants and on worldwide trade in IT products. Finalized at the first WTO Ministerial Conference in 1996 the ITA commits its participants to eliminating tariffs on a wide range of IT products with an annual value of approximately US$ 1.7 trillion. It has also contributed to greater access to the Internet and the growth of the digital economy creating new opportunities for businesses and individuals in both developed and developing economies. Over the past 20 years the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) has increased worldwide access to high-tech goods such as computers mobile phones and semiconductors. The publication also examines the effect information technology has had on global production networks and what this means for developing countries and the ITA. It details the establishment of the ITA Committee and how the Agreement is implemented and investigates the impact the ITA has had on trade liberalization and innovation. To mark the 15th anniversary of the ITA this publication charts the political and technical obstacles which were overcome during the creation of the Agreement and the issues which still need to be resolved. As production networks become increasingly global the ITA will continue to facilitate the shift from products made in a specific country to “made in the world”. In its 15 years the ITA has promoted affordable access to a wide range of technologies encouraging closer cooperation between developed and developing countries. The Information and Technology Agreement (ITA) was finalized at the first WTO Ministerial Conference in Singapore in 1996 committing its participants to completely eliminate duties on certain information technology products.

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