OUTLINE

NOTES

<aside> <img src="/icons/fish_gray.svg" alt="/icons/fish_gray.svg" width="40px" /> THEORIES

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Emergence of GATS

• Entered into force in January 1995 as a result of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations, 1986 - 1993
• The first & only set of multilateral rules governing international trade in services
• Establishes a rule-based framework for international trade in services, specifies the obligations of members within that framework & delineates a legal structure to ensure compliance

Objectives of GATS

• Expansion of services trade
• Progressive liberalization through successive rounds of negotiations
• Ensuring increased transparency & predictability of rules & regulations
• Promoting economic growth of all trading partners
• Increasing participation of developing countries in trade

Differences between GATT & GATS

• GATT: for merchandise trade
• GATS took inspiration from the GATT & used terms & concepts that had already been tested for decades in merchandise trade: MFN & NT
• GATS: covers measures affecting both the product, i.e. service, & the suppliers
• The definition of services trade covers not only cross-border supply but 3 additional forms of transaction (”modes of supply”)

Scope & Modalities of GATS

4 modes of supply under GATS Trade in service

Art. 1.2