Issues in Scheduling GATS Specific Commitments

1

• Issues in Scheduling GATS Specific Commitments
• Prepared by Murray G. Smith
• For ACP Group
• Date April 22, 2005

2

• Existing Schedules vs. New Offers
• Technical Rectifications
• Horizontal Commitments
• Clarification of Sectors/Sub Sectors
• Market Access versus National Treatment
• Clarification of Limitations
• Consider Future Policy
• Preparation of Offers

3

• Existing Schedules
• Need to be carefully reviewed
• Horizontal Commitments
• Sectoral coverage
• Market Access, National Treatment, Additional
  Commitments
• Set the basis for new offers
• Identify needs for technical rectification
• Many countries have anomalies in their schedules

4

• New Offers
• Possible for sectors with no commitments and all
  commitments are unbound
• Possible for sub-sectors that are unbound
• Modifications of existing schedules

5
Technical Rectifications

• Clarify sub-sectors
• Horizontal Commitments
• Market Access vs. National Treatment
• How Restrictions are listed

6
Horizontal Commitments

• Many countries restrict Mode 4
• MA restrictions e.g. exchange controls
• Question of NT reservations eg subsidies

7
Clarification of Sectors

• Check CPC codes and sector descriptions
• Use MTN.GNS/W/120 when possible
• Treat Mode 1 2 the same within sub-sectors.

8
Market Access Vs. National Treatment

• Countries confuse MA NT eg subsidies
• Countries block MA and have no restrictions on NT
  either at sector level or horizontal commitments

9
Clarify Limitations

• In existing schedules countries will name
  existing legislation without specifying
  limitations.
• Legislation frequently changes
• Use the scheduling guidelines S/L/92

10
Consider Future Policy

• Do not rely upon market access restrictions
• Specify NT restrictions when appropriate

11
Preparation of Offers

• Negotiations are still ongoing
• Start with rectification of schedules
• Clarify national policy with key stakeholders