APRIL 1, 2010
IN THIS ALERT:
WTO Projects 9.5% World Trade Expansion in 2010
In a report issued last week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) projected that the volume of world trade will expand by 9.5% this year. Exports from developed countries are expected to grow by 7.5%, while those from developing countries will rise by 11%, as the world emerges from recession. This follows a contraction of more than 12% in the volume of goods trade in 2009, and a 13% contraction in the value of commercial services exports. According to the WTO, this marked the first time since 1983 that world trade in commercial services declined year on year. For a copy of the report, click here: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres10_e/pr598_e.htm
Lamy Statement to TNC Following Stocktaking Meetings
Following last week's "Stocktaking" meetings in Geneva, World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy told the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee that "while there is certainly disappointment that we are not closer to our goal, I have not detected any defeatism." He said that the feature of his consultations during the week was "the commitment to now start working towards weaving all strings of the negotiations into an overall package." For a copy of Lamy's remarks, click here: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/tnc_dg_stat_26mar10_e.htm
USTR Releases Report on Trade Barriers
On March 31, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its 2010 National Trade Estimate Report (NTE) on foreign trade barriers. The annual NTE evaluates the most pressing barriers to trade, investment, and protection of intellectual property rights in the largest U.S. export markets.
This year's report discusses trade and investment barriers in 58 countries, the European Union, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Arab League, and identifies prominent services barriers in China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa and Thailand. For a copy of the report, click here: http://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/enforcement
Conference: What is the Future of Financial Services Liberalisation Post-Crisis? May 11, 2010
This conference, organized by International Financial Services London (IFSL) and the London School of Economics, will discuss a number of issues, including to what extent, if at all, the economic argument for liberalisation has changed in light of the crisis, whether there is evidence of GATS liberalisation having contributed to the crisis, how the crisis has changed the way financial services liberalisation will be addressed, and what the practical implications are for the future of financial services liberalisation. For more information, or to register, click here: http://www.ifsl.org.uk/output/EventItem.aspx?EventID=286.
SAVE THE DATE: 2010 Global Services Summit, September 22, Washington, DC
The date for the 2010 Global Services Summit has been set for Wednesday, September 22, in Washington, DC. The event will build on last year's very successful Global Services Summit, and will be an opportunity for senior U.S. Administration officials to explain how the new U.S. trade and investment strategy will help promote services trade and investment in the global economy, for leading businessmen and trade ministers to discuss new ideas on how to move the Doha Round forward and the future role of the WTO in service trade and investment, and for a discussion of ideas on how to expand services trade and investment in Asia. More information will be made available shortly. For highlights from last year's Summit, click here: http://www.uscsi.org/ServicesSummit2009.html