World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/57
6 December 2005 (05-5798) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
mode 4 related issues
Communication from Pakistan
The following communication, dated 5 December 2005, from the delegation of Pakistan, is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
One of the principal gains from the services negotiations in the current round for developing countries lies in Mode 4 liberalization. Our stakeholders have made it clear that they expect substantial commitments in Mode 4 and we have reflected this view in our requests to trading partners. Moreover, commercially meaningful commitments in Mode 4 are central to realizing the developmental benefits in the current round of services negotiations. The Doha Work Program, as well as the 2004 July Package, recognize the importance attached to this issue.
We reiterate that Mode 4 can be seen as a facilitative m
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/56 S/CSC/W/49
28 November 2005 (05-5634) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session
Committee on Specific Commitments Original: English
communication from the Republic of KOREA
An Example of Economic Needs Tests
The following communication, dated 25 November 200 5 , from the delegation of the Republic of Korea is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services and the Committee on Specific Commitments.
_______________
Introduction
Korea has prepared this paper in relation to paragraph 7 of the annotated agenda (JOB(05)/109) by the Chairman of the Committee on Specific Commitments dated 15 June 2005, which called for an information exchange on the concrete operation of economic needs tests (ENTs). With a view to facilitating more in-depth discussions on the specifications o f ENTs and their applications, t his paper pr esents a practical example of an ENT inscribed in
World Trade
Organization RESTRICTED TN/S/W/53
30 September 2005
(05-4327) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
COMMUNICATION FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, HONG KONG CHINA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, SWITZERLAND,
the
Separate Customs Territory
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu AND THE UNITED STATES
The importance of Mode 3 commitments
The following communication, dated 29 September 2005, from the delegations of Australia Canada, European Communities, Hong Kong China, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu and the United States, is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
It is estimated that between one half and two thirds of world trade in services takes place through commercial presence (Mode 3). Whereas all modes of supply are important, the par
Australia Canada, European Communities, Hong Kong China, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the Separate Customs[...]nd Matsu and the United States
2005/9/30
World Trade
Organization RESTRICTED TN/S/W/52
29 September 2005
(05-4309) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
Communication from the Republic of Korea
A
Proposal on the
Complementary Negotiating Methods:
"
T
h
e Bi-dimensional Approach
"
The following communication, dated 28 September 2005, from the delegation of the Republic of Korea, is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
Introduction
Korea
has prepared
this paper in
relation to
paragraph
18
of the
Report by the Chairman of the Special Session of the Council for Trade in Services (TN/S/20)
, which was
presented to the Trade Negotiations Committee
on
July
2
1
, 200
5
. This paper proposes
an approach to the
negotiating
methods which
could be
used to complement the current bilateral request-offer process within the parameters of the GATS and the Negotiating Guidelines. This paper is without
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/51
23 September 2005 (05-4227) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
COMMUNICATION FROM switzerland
Methodology to assess Schedules of commitments under the GATS
The following communication, dated 21 September 2005, from the delegation of Switzerland, is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
SUMMARY
This paper presents a methodology developed by Switzerland to assess Members' schedules of specific commitments in the framework of the GATS. This methodology is a quantitative tool that makes it possible to translate commitments – either at sectoral level or for all sectors – into one single index between 0 and 100. The methodology does not only measure whether commitments are undertaken or not, but it measures the actual density of restrictions inscribed in the schedule. It does that in great detail, sub-sector by sub-sector and, within each s
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/50
1 July 2005
(05-2868) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
COMMUNICATION FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, JAPAN, HONG KONG CHINA, KOREA, NORWAY, Singapore, THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU, AND THE UNITED STATES
Liberalization of Telecommunication Services
The following communication, dated 1 July 2005, from the delegations of Australia, Canada, the European Communities, Japan, Hong Kong China, Korea, Norway, Singapore, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and the United States is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
We believe telecommunications services are an important element of the GATS negotiations because of the valuable roles such services play in supporting national economies and international trade:
Drivers of Economic Growth: A modern tel
The following communication, dated 30 June 2005, from the delegation of Australia is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
Australia promotes greater transparency of horizontal mode 4 commitments through the use of a transparency template as proposed by Canada. The attached template provides electronic
links to Australia’s immigration laws, regulations, policies and administrative guidelines relevant to Australia’s current horizontal commitments and revised offer covering mode 4.
The details collated and included in the template provides links to readily available information that will give a detailed understanding of the comprehensive nature of Australia’s horizontal commitment
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/49
30 June 2005 (05-2836) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
Communication from Hong Kong China, Japan, Mexico, THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU,
and United States
Joint Statement on the Negotiations on Audiovisual Services
The following communication dated, 30 June 2005, from the delegations of Hong Kong China, Japan, Mexico, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and United States is being circulated to Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
Audiovisual services, like all services under the GATS, are an integral part of the services negotiations. They play a valuable role in supporting national economies and international trade, especially in developing countries. Trade rules that promote transparency and stability can further open significant regional and global opportunities for exchanges
Hong Kong China, Japan, Mexico, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and United States
2005/6/30
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/47
21 June 2005
(05-2632) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
communication from canada
Proposal on Transparency of Horizontal Mode 4 Commitments
The following communication, dated 20 June 2005, from the delegation of Canada is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
As many WTO Members are aware, improved transparency of mode 4 commitments has been an issue for discussion for some time in these negotiations - in bilateral meetings, in the Friends of Mode 4, in the Special Session of the Council for Trade in Services and at various mode 4 conferences. This proposal was initially introduced in the Friends of Mode 4 in July 2002 to promote discussion among Members on strengthening the transparency and improving the understanding of horizontal mode 4 commitments. It is now being introduced to the wider WTO membership.
This proposal primari
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/46 S/CSC/W/47
21 June 2005 (05-2616) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session
Committee on Specific Commitments Original: English
communication from canada
Mode 4 Commitments and Economic Needs Tests
The following communication, dated 20 June 2005, from the delegation of Canada is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services and the Committee on Specific Commitments.
_______________
Summary
According to WTO, UNCTAD and OECD analyses, GATS Article XVI:2(d) and the Scheduling Guidelines set out the rules, which Members have already agreed to, on economic needs tests (ENTs) with respect to mode 4. Members are not supposed to use ENTs to limit the number of natural persons; however, if Members wish to continue to use such ENTs, they are supposed to cite and describe them in their schedules. Some Members have indicated that ENTs or labour market tests are not applicable to certain cate
World Trade
Organization RESTRICTED TN/S/W/45
17 June 2005
(05- 2567) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: Spanish
communication from cuba
Review of Progress in the Negotiations, Including the Application of Paragraph 15 of the Guidelines for the Negotiations
Construction and Related Engineering Services
The following communication from the delegation of Cuba, dated 7 June 2005, is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the review being conducted in the Services Council with a view to better application of paragraph 15 of the negotiating guidelines.
Cuba addressed requests for market openings to several Members of the WTO. Construction and related engineering services, the primary target of those requests, are still beset by limitations that are preventing Cuba's access to markets of interest to it.
The constructio
World Trade
Organization RESTRICTED TN/S/W/44
17 June 2005
(05-2566) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: Spanish
communication from cuba
Assessment of Services Trade and Liberalization in Underdeveloped Economies
The following communication from Cuba, dated 7 June 2005, is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
_______________
introduction
Cuba is of the view that an assessment of trade in services is greatly needed in view of its importance for the WTO negotiations on specific commitments.
The developing countries need to ensure that multilateral rules and commitments on trade in services contribute to economically rational policy making at the national and international levels.
It must be ensured that economic growth is not concentrated in a few countries and that the growing participation of underdeveloped countries in trade takes place effectively, in order to contribute to reducing the
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/43 S/FIN/W/43
8 June 2005
(05-2335) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session
Committee on Trade in Financial Services Original: English
COMMUNICATION FROM AUSTRALIA, BAHRAIN, CANADA, THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, JAPAN, NORWAY, oman, PANAMA, Singapore, SWITZERLAND, THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU, AND THE UNITED STATES
Liberalization of Financial Services
The following communication, dated 6 June 2005, from the delegations of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the European Communities, Japan, Norway, Oman, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and the United States is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services and the Committee on Trade in Financial Services.
_______________
Importance of financial services liberalization for economic growth, stability and development
"Financial services" inc
Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the European Communities, Japan, Norway, Oman, Panama, Singapore, [...]d Matsu, and the United States
2005/6/8
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/42 S/WPDR/W/33
25 May 2005
(05-2106) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session
Working Party on Domestic Regulation Original: English
The following communication, dated 20 May 2005, from the delegation of Canada is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services and the Working Party on Domestic Regulation.
_______________
Few WTO Members would dispute that many existing horizontal mode 4 commitments are not sufficiently transparent. In that regard, Canada has been promoting the transparency of horizontal mode 4 commitments. Some Members are aware that, as a way of improving the understanding of mode 4 commitments, Canada has proposed that each Member provide voluntarily - and separate from its specific commitments - all relevant information sources for each of its commitments: i.e., links to
World Trade
Organization TN/S/W/41
25 May 2005 (05-2109) Council for Trade in Services
Special Session Original: English
COMMUNICATION FROM CANADA
Transparency: Market and Regulatory Information of Interest to Service Providers
The following communication, dated 20 May 2005, from the delegation of Canada is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services
_______________
One of the recurring themes of the current round of services negotiations has been the need for increased transparency. A number of Members have made proposals related to transparency. Common themes of these proposals include: the need to make legislative and regulatory information more publicly accessible; the need for greater transparency with respect to the domestic regulation-making process; and the need for greater transparency with respect to the administration of regulatory procedures.
Some proposals have identified transparency essentially in g
