3/6/2005
EU revised services offer responds to demand of developing countries

This week the European Commission has transmitted to the WTO the EU’s revised services offer in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations. The revised offer outlines how the EU is prepared to open further access to its services market in exchange for improved access to other WTO Members’ markets. While ambitious in scope, and responding in many ways to requests for access from developing countries, the EU’s offer safeguards public services such as education, health and audio-visual services. The offer is fully public, and can now be seen on the DG Trade website.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said: “The EU services market is one of the most open in the world and in 2003 the EU tabled one of the best initial offers. Today the EU is showing leadership by presenting an ambitious revised offer that further enhances those trade opportunities and responds to the interests expressed by developing countries. Time is running out for others to match our level of ambition and bring real market access opportunities to the table. This is essential for a successful and balanced agreement at the Hong Kong WTO Ministerial Conference”.

Services are critical for any economy. The services sector is already contributing more to economic growth and job creation worldwide than any other sector. In the EU, services constitute the single most dynamic part of the economy, accounting for more than 66% of GDP and employment. No country can prosper today without an effective service sector. For this reason, an ambitious deal on services for Doha is a prerequisite for a successful round – both for developed and developing countries.

Responding to the requests submitted by other WTO Members, and in particular by developing countries, this offer builds on the EU’s comprehensive initial offer which was tabled in April 2003. The revised offer reflects the fact that EU market has grown to 25 Member States and 455 million consumers. It contains a significant number of new commitments, including in the field of the temporary movement of services providers. It also extends new market access in sectors such as: legal and professional services, computer, management consulting and other business services; telecommunication, postal and courier services; construction; distribution; energy and environmental services; financial services; tourism; maritime transport and beauty and well-being services.

The offer is also tailored in a way that ensures that public services within the EU are fully safeguarded and no commitments are proposed in the areas of education, health and audio-visual services. It has been prepared in close consultation with the European Parliament, the Member States and EU civil society.

The EU now encourages other WTO members to submit ambitious offers. As specified in its services requests of January 2005, the EU asks the least developed countries and the more vulnerable economies to make offers only for a limited number of sectors.

The full offer can be consulted on the DG Trade website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/index_en.htm