Dhaka, April 10 -- After falling by 1.20 per cent in the last year, the volume of global merchandise trade may jump by 2.60 per cent in the current year and 3.30 per cent in the next year.

The latest 'Global Trade Outlook and Statistics' report of the World Trade Organization (WTO), released today (Wednesday) in Geneva, made these forecasts.

"However, regional conflicts, geopolitical tensions and economic policy uncertainty pose substantial downside risks to the forecast," said the report prepared by the WTO economists.

"Global goods trade is expected to pick up gradually this year following a contraction in 2023 that was driven by the lingering effects of high energy prices and inflation" the report mentioned.

The decline in last yea...