The collective requests are intended to enhance the ongoing bilateral request offer process which began in 2002. The United States will also be sending "refined" bilateral requests to WTO Members.
As one of the most open services markets in the world, the United States is participating in collective requests across a host of sectors, including:
* Telecommunications
* Financial services
* Computer and related services
* Distribution services
* Express delivery services
* Energy services
* Environmental services
* Legal services
* Construction services
* Architectural and engineering services
* Audiovisual services
* Education services
Collective requests will be sent to Members today. While recognizing WTO Members' right to regulate their domestic services industries and differences in level of development among WTO Members, the collective requests seek the removal of:
1. Foreign investment limitations
2. Restrictions on form of establishment (e.g., prohibitions
on branching)
3. Prohibitions on supplying services cross-border (e.g., via
the Internet)
4. Nationality requirements
5. Discriminatory regulatory policies
6. Restrictions on competition (e.g., limitations on new
entrants)
By removing such limitations, the General Agreement on Trade and Services(GATS) supports economic development and benefits consumers by enabling the supply of important services that meet global standards for price and quality.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that services liberalization could yield a $1.4 trillion income gain for the world, or 72 percent of the total economic gain from the Doha Development Agenda negotiations.
Office of the United States Trade Representative
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