Restructuring of industrial economics and trade with develo-ping countries

The Tripartite World Conference on Employment, Income Distribution and Social Progress and the International Division of Labour, held in Geneva in June 1976, adopted a Declaration of Principles and Programme of Action setting forth a wide range of policy guidelines to be followed at both the national and international levels. In its section IV on active manpower policies and adjustment assistance in developed countries, the Programme of Action states the following: "In implementing employment and manpower policies, the industrialised countries should continue to pursue and expand trade liberalisation policies in order to increase imports of manufactures and semi-manufactures from developing countries in an effort to increase their employment and incomes, while continuing to maintain employment in industrialised countries. Adjustment assistance is considered preferable to import restrictions."