Commonwealth Consultative Meeting on Trade in Services

A Consultative Meeting on Trade in Services was convened at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Headquarters in London on 8 March 2011.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss the draft report titled ‘Making Trade in Services Supportive of Development in Commonwealth Small and Low-Income Countries Through Regional Trade Agreements’ and identify areas for strengthening the report. It also provided an opportunity for the Secretariat to utilise the feedback gauged during the Consultations to assist in mapping a way forward for furthering work in this regard for the benefit of its smaller members.

9.40 – 10.00 Overview of Report: ‘Making Trade in Services Supportive of Development in Commonwealth Small and Low-Income Countries’

• Presentation by Consultant, Patrick Macrory

10.00 – 10.15 Brief Discussion

• Working Group Sessions

10.15 –12.00 Working Group Session: Pro-Development Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) Arrangements for Improving Market Access Opportunities for Developing Country Services Exporters in RTAs

Introduction by Patrick Macrory

12.00 – 1.00 Working Group Session: Approaches for Advancing SDT on Trade in Services at the WTO

Introduction by Patrick Macrory

1.00 – 2.00 WORKING LUNCH

2.00 – 3.00 Continuation of Working Group Session: Approaches for Advancing SDT on Trade in Services at the WTO

3.00 – 3.15 TEA/COFFEE

3.15 – 4.00 Working Group Session: Methods for Evaluating Impact of Services Trade Liberalisation on Domestic and Foreign Service Suppliers: Relevance for Developing Countries Formulating SDT

• Introduction by Julian Arkell

4.00 – 4.30 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Consultative Meeting on Trade in Services Summary Record

END OF MEETING

FINAL REPORT: Making Trade in Services Supportive of Development in Commonwealth Small and Low-Income Countries