UNCTAD Commercial Diplomacy Programme GUIDELINES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF NATIONAL AND SUBREGIONAL INTERESTS IN NEGOTIATIONS ON SERVICES UNCTAD Commercial Diplomacy Programme

Some starting points to define the negotiating strategy: Identify the sectors or subsectors where the country has a strong comparative advantage: those are the priorities, where the main negotiatin objectives have to be set. Focus on markets which offer growth prospects for exporters, and determine if a better market access could be achieved with bilateral, subregional or multilateral negotiations. Identify the barriers for the domestic exports in those markets: are they determined by governmental measures? What are the domestic sectors or subsectors that could be included in the offer list as concessions in exchange of the objectives?

Assess the implementation of the GATS: Regarding the GATS 2000: Assess the implementation of the GATS: Costs and benefits in terms of : creation of employment transfer of technology new FDI new exports new imports future trends and prospects. Identify if there is a need for new rules in the GATS (i.e. on competition, subsidies, implementation of art.IV) or if the schedules of commitments need to be changed.

Regarding the GATS 2000: Analyse the objectives of other WTO members and their proposals submitted at the WTO before the Seattle Conference, particularly those of developing countries, as well as the implications for the national position. Identify potential allies (developed or developing countries) in the negotiating process. Keep an eye on agriculture negotiations: there may be “trade-offs” and links with services in the future. Watch out for possible future links with e-commerce.

At the subregional level: Questions to be discussed among all members of the subregional agreement: what is the role of trade in services among members? Are services a key factor in the development strategies of the members? Are they a key factor in the consolidation of the subregaional agreement? What provisions should be adopted to foster trade in services among members? Costs and benefits of a deeper liberalisation among members vis-a-vis a multilateral liberalisation? Therefore, what kind of preferential margin for trade in services should be left (if any) in the multilateral negotiations? There is room for a common position and a common list of offers/requests?

Put together all these elements to initiate: Consultations at the domestic level with the national entrepreneurs involved in services. Consultations at the subregional level. Consultations in Geneva with other WTO member states. Establish a mechanism to monitor the GATS 2000 negotiations and to adjust the negotiating strategies during the process.