The World Trade Organisation (WTO) announced on 14 April that it expected that the growth in the volume of world merchandise trade would pick up only slightly over the next two years, rising from 2.8% in 2014 to 3.3% in 2015 and eventually to 4.0% in 2016. According to the WTO, by withdrawing protectionist measures, improving market access, avoiding policies which distort competition and striving to agree reforms to global trade rules, governments can boost trade.