WTO now releases draft text on services
WTO has circulated a draft on the services sector, asking members to demonstrate the same level of political will in moving negotiations forward as was being witnessed in the agriculture and Nama (industrial goods) sectors.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: The World Trade Organization (WTO) has circulated a draft on the services sector, asking members to demonstrate the same level of political will in moving negotiations forward as was being witnessed in the agriculture and Nama (industrial goods) sectors. While the short draft is mostly in brackets, indicating areas which need to be negotiated, it provides for more discussions on areas of interest to developing countries including easier movement of professionals within countries and securing outsourcing.
The text submitted by the chairman of the council for trade in services, Fernando de Mateo, asked members to offer commitments that provide new market access and national treatment in cases where significant trade impediments exist.
The draft also stated that there has to be more commitments in mode 1 and mode 4, both areas of interest to developing countries such as India. While mode 1 talks about securing commitments in outsourcing services, mode 4 is about liberalising temporary movement of workforce between member countries.
Speaking at an interaction organised by FICCI on Tuesday, commerce secretary G K Pillai said that till now very little has been offered in mode 4. While stating that India was not seeking emigration visas, he said that there should be no denying of visas to professionals for setting up instruments or servicing instruments sold to another country.
Most of the proposals in the services text are in brackets indicating that they have not yet been agreed upon. Members have until June 2 to study the text.
Mr Pillai said that the mini-ministerial meet being planned at the WTO in June-end will include a signalling conference for services. Members will express their intention on the offers that they are willing to make in various services sectors.
The Doha round mandates that there has to be agreements for further liberalisation of agriculture, industrial and services sector, all under a single umbrella.
The text submitted by the chairman of the council for trade in services, Fernando de Mateo, asked members to offer commitments that provide new market access and national treatment in cases where significant trade impediments exist.
The draft also stated that there has to be more commitments in mode 1 and mode 4, both areas of interest to developing countries such as India. While mode 1 talks about securing commitments in outsourcing services, mode 4 is about liberalising temporary movement of workforce between member countries.
Speaking at an interaction organised by FICCI on Tuesday, commerce secretary G K Pillai said that till now very little has been offered in mode 4. While stating that India was not seeking emigration visas, he said that there should be no denying of visas to professionals for setting up instruments or servicing instruments sold to another country.
Most of the proposals in the services text are in brackets indicating that they have not yet been agreed upon. Members have until June 2 to study the text.
Mr Pillai said that the mini-ministerial meet being planned at the WTO in June-end will include a signalling conference for services. Members will express their intention on the offers that they are willing to make in various services sectors.
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The chairman said that discussions should also take place on a bilateral and plurilateral basis to nudge the services negotiations further. Without an agreement on services, it will not be possible to conclude the on-going Doha round of negotiations. The Doha round mandates that there has to be agreements for further liberalisation of agriculture, industrial and services sector, all under a single umbrella.
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