There was substantial agreement that relatively good rates of growth were to be expected for most developing countries in the short term. Very different interpretations were put on this, but the apparent lack of major worries on growth allowed the forecasters to put less stress on the
forecasts, and more on special sections analysing aspects of developing country performance.

The limited discussion of the forecasts means that the assumptions behind them are not always clear, making comparison occasionally difficult.

This paper discusses the details of the forecasts, globalisation, poverty and income distribution and the new trade policy proposals. It asks the question: how effective trade measures are in reducing poverty and assisting the poorest countries to develop?