JAYANTA BAGCHI (b. 1939) is a distinguished member of Indian Administrative Service. After retirement in 1997, the author has been writing regularly on various facets of the World Trade Organisation and economic issues like anti-dumping, steel, textiles, agriculture and services etc. This book is going to be his eleventh book.

During his long career, the author has served for over 20 years in the ministries of commerce, steel & textiles, etc. He has been the Chairman, State Trading Corporation & the Designated Authority on Anti- Dumping in the Ministry of Commerce. Dr. Bagchi has also held important positions in the state governments of Assam and Meghalaya. In 1973, at the age of 34, the author was awarded "Padmasri for meritorious service when he was the Deputy Commissioner. After obtaining MSc, LLB, the author obtained M. Phil from Cambridge University (UK) & PhD from Guwahati University, Assam.

He has travelled extensively all over the world. He has worked with distinction as Consultant with FAO, ESCAP, UNCTAD & ITO. He has been an advisor on WTO issues. He was the Member, Appellate Authority.AAIFR, for over 5 years.

Apart from having a consistent and excellent academic record, he has taken great interest in various social and economic issues. He was a popular figure in the Subdivision and in the District. He also made a name for excellent memory and quick comprehension of complicated Issues.

The contribution of India in the multilateral forum is well known she has taken up the leadership of non-aligned developing countries. India has given the leadership and extended support to small countries, notably the LDC She has implemented all the directions of WTO meticulously, sometimes by bringing about legislative amendments in the Parliament.

2. On Regional Co-operation and Integration, WTO provisions have been permissive. Because of security considerations and other requirement of regional balance and comprehension, India has given great support to SAARC and SAFTA. Some bilateral agreements have also been concluded but her emphasis has been on multilateralism and she has been a key player in WTO At one time, India showed great interest in ASEAN and she has excellent supportive agreements on this score.

3. This treatise has analysed the various facets of regionalism and the various agreements all over the globe which are in operation the regionalism's difference from multilateralism and bilateralism have been examined in depth Analysis has also been made of the linkage of regionalism with investment and economic growth. Attempt has also been made to make sure that regionalism follows domestic laws, particularly in the context of spurt in regionalism that we are witnessing recently.

4. This is the eleventh book of the author. The author has written on virtually all the topics of WTO-Anti-dumping, Agriculture, Textiles, Services, Jute, Steel, Indian perspective, and Intellectual properties etc. Most of the books have received excellent reviews, some of the books like Agriculture have been sold off fully, necessitating reprints etc. It is hoped that this treatise also will make a mark.

5. One of the new and unique features of this book is its chapter on classification. The entire world have been found divided in 5 groups. There are countries led by the USA which is supporting multilateralism, bilateralism and regionalism.

**Contents and Sample Pages**