The future of multilateral trading system and the challenges posed by regional trading blocs will be discussed at a high-level conference in Manama.

The two-day event, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), opens today, and will discuss ‘Trade and Flag: The Changing Balance of Power in the Multilateral Trading System.’

It will be held at the IISS-Middle East (IISS-ME) headquarters at Bahrain Financial Harbour.

Leading trade policy experts, academics and decision-makers including Transportation Minister Kamal Ahmed, former directors-general of World Trade Organisation Pascal Lamy and Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, South Korea’s former trade minister Dr Taeho Bark, Geneva-based Graduate Institute International Economics professor Richard Baldwin, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs Indian Political Economy professors Arvind Panagariya and Jagdish Bhagwati, and Singapore Temasek Foundation Centre for Trade and Negotiations head Dr Deborah Elms will discuss recent trends and challenges in the world trade and economic landscape.