Making Trade in Services Supportive of Development in Commonwealth Small and Low-income Countries

Patrick Macrory is an independent consultant based in Washington. Dr Sherry Stephenson is Deputy Director for Trade at the Organisation of the American States in Washington.

• Summary 1. Introduction: Definition of Special and Differential Treatment2. SDT Commitments Provided to Developing Countries Under (i) the WTO GATS (ii) WTO DDA Offers Submitted so far on Services; and (iii) key North–South and South–South RTAs2.1 Introduction2.2 Architecture of Services Trade Agreements2.3 Provisions Acknowledging that Reciprocity is not Expected from Developing Countries2.4 Negotiated Outcomes2.5 Technical Assistance2.6 Longer Time Periods for Implementation2.7 Best Endeavour Provisions2.8 Pros and Cons of SDT3. Challenges Faced by Business Enterprises in Commonwealth Developing Countries for Maximising Export and Investment Opportunities Derived from SDT Arrangements4. Suggested Pro-development Special and Differential Treatment Arrangements and Measures that could be Considered by Commonwealth Developing Countries Negotiating RTAs in Services4.1 Negotiated Outcomes that are Beneficial to Developing Country Partners4.2 Concrete Channels for Sharing of Information and Expertise4.3 Provision of Effective Technical Assistance, especially for the Design and Implementation of Services Regulatory Frameworks5. Methods That May Be Utilised to Assess the Impact of Services Trade Liberalisation on Domestic Vis-À-Vis Foreign Service SuppliersWhat is it that we want to Measure?What are the Data that we want to use?Modeling Techniques6. Approaches to Advance SDT Treatment in the Multilateral Context6.1 Reference Paper6.2 MFN Waiver with Respect to LDC Service Exports6.3 Other ApproachesBibliographyAnnexes1. SDT Provisions in Key North–South RTAs2. SDT Provisions in Key South–South RTAs3. GATS Provisions on Special and Differential Treatment4. Doha Development Round Documents Calling for Special and Differential Treatment5. Mode 4 Commitments by Developed Countries in North–South RTAs6. WTO Proposals Relating to Trade in Services7. Terms of Reference