2021 part 1

34/ Participants in domestic regulation negotiations for services commit to maintain momentum

4 FEBRUARY 2021

Participants in the negotiations on services domestic regulation reaffirmed on 4 February their commitment to reaching a “meaningful” outcome by the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) when they met for the first time in 2021. Noting participants’ intention to “maintain momentum”, the Chair, Jaime Coghi of Costa Rica, reported the shared view that an outcome by MC12, due to take place this year, was “viable”.

Kazakhstan said its draft schedule submitted earlier this year indicated how the proposed disciplines would be incorporated in its WTO commitments. In addition to playing an important role for services industries and businesses, Kazakhstan noted, the disciplines seek to create a predictable business climate and transparent procedures for trade in services. A total of 56 other participants have submitted draft schedules.

In an effort to streamline procedures required for services suppliers to operate, remove red tape and enhance transparency and predictability of regulatory frameworks, the negotiations aim to reduce the costs of doing business and facilitate businesses’ participation in international services trade.

The idea of holding an information exchange on the implementation of domestic regulation disciplines was widely welcomed at the meeting. Delegations’ experiences at both the national and regional levels could be explored.

A group of 63 WTO members ⁽¹⁾ — both developing and developed countries — is currently taking part in the negotiations, accounting for over 70% of world services trade. At the meeting, participants reiterated the importance of reaching out to other WTO members to expand the number of participants and secure wider coverage for the final outcome. Some delegations also called for engaging ministers by mid- 2021 to resolve outstanding issues and for defining a clear path to help conclude the negotiations by MC12.

A “far advanced” negotiating text was circulated by the Chair, Jaime Coghi Arias of Costa Rica, in December, capturing the progress made in 2020 in developing disciplines applying to licensing and qualification requirements and procedures, as well as technical standards for trade in services. The text contains flexibilities to help governments implement the measures domestically and regulate according to their national policy objectives.

Source: wto.org