What is the WTO?

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world』s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.

　
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Location: Geneva, Switzerland
 Established: 1 January 1995
 Created by: Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-94)  
Membership: 149 countries (on 11 December 2005)
 Budget: 175 million Swiss francs for 2006
 Secretariat staff: 635
 Head: Pascal Lamy (Director-General)

Functions:
‧ Administering WTO trade agreements
‧ Forum for trade negotiations
‧ Handling trade disputes
‧ Monitoring national trade policies
‧ Technical assistance and training for developing countries
‧ Cooperation with other international organizations 

http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/whatis_e.htm