This volume contains the proceedings of the conference ‘Dynamic Issues in Applied Commercial Policy Analysis’ held in Geneva, Switzerland (26–28 January 1996). The conference was organized jointly by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) and the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. It was financed by the Ford Foundation's MIRAGE project and we wish to express our gratitude to the Foundation.

Economists have long argued that the dynamic effects of policy changes are much more important in the real world than the static effects, yet most policy analyses focus solely on the latter. A number of researchers throughout the world are in the process of developing and refining methods and models that allow quantification of dynamic effects. A wide range of modelling approaches has been employed to investigate an even wider range of policy issues. The aim of this conference was two-fold: (1) stock-taking of methods employed to date, including free-ranging discussion of the merits and drawbacks of each method, and (2) discussion of how to improve the methods. Both goals, we feel, were met and are reflected in the chapters and discussions in this volume.

The editors would like to thank CEPR's permanent staff for their support, especially Constanze Picking, Toni Orloff, and Kate Millward. Denise Ducroz assumed most of the local organizing tasks and we thank her for admirable Swiss efficiency. Finally, the volume has benefited enormously from the editorial efforts of Liz Paton and the final shepherding duties of Lorna Guthrie.