the general agreement on trade in services (gats) - an overview: preliminary assessment of services...
TRANSCRIPT
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) - An overview:
Preliminary Assessment of Services Performance in Developing Countries
UNCTAD
Commercial Diplomacy Programme
May 2002
Objective
The Guidelines for Negotiations
invite WTO members to carry out an assessment of trade-in-services before negotiating;
To do so both in overall terms and on a sectoral basis.
This presentation will draw attention to key issues for such an assessment, with special emphasis on the challenges and concerns of developing countries and LDCs
Insights for This Assessment Were Gained From the Following UNCTAD Expert Meetings:
Construction services
Energy services
Environmental services
Health services
Tourism services
Air transport services
What May Developing Countries Seek from this Assessment?
Draw on lessons learned in the past
Establish what is relevant for the new negotiations
Identify conditions to maximize benefits
Formulate development objectives in the
expected outcome of the negotiations
Address existing development asymmetries
Some Common Issues That Emerged From Service Sectors Analysis
1. Access to technology
2. SMEs
3. Licensing
4. Anti-competitive practices
5. Movement of persons
6. Regional integration
Access to Technology
Environmental, construction, energy services
Government regulations
Joint ventures
Training of manpower
Tourism
Distribution Channels / Information networks
Support infrastructure
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Present in all sectors
Privatisation as a contributing factor
Construction: size handicap
Governmental support
Licensing Requirements
Construction, environmental, energy
Transparency in qualification requirements
Multiple regulations and standards
Anti-Competitive Practices
Construction
Permit system
Tourism
CRS/GDS networks
Movement of Persons
All sectors
Economic needs test
Accreditation and recognition of qualifications
Nationality, residency requirements
Importance of Regional Integration Among Developing Countries
Building global competitive strengths
Better market access opportunities
Harmonization of laws
Regional policy on services
Mutual recognition of qualifications
Facilitated movement of persons
Some Sector-Specific Issues – Developing Countries Perspectives
Health
Tourism
Health Services
Universal health care principles
Forces influencing the market
Emerging trade concerns
Tourism services
The importance of tourism
Sustainability challenges
Key trade concerns
Conclusion
The purpose of this presentation was to present a
situation analysis of the GATS services sectors.
Six cross-cutting issue were highlighted
Two sectors were presented
This analysis should serve as input for your pre-
negotiation assessment.
The next step will focus on how these topics can be
reflected in the Post-Doha Work Programme.