Twenty eight representatives of Developing country Members are attending the course, which is held in English at WTO headquarters.

During the two-week course, the participants will have the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of rules and procedures related to trade in services within the multilateral trading system.

The objective of the course is to enhance participants' understanding of the General Agreement on Trade in Services in the WTO framework. It aims to provide relevant context and an update of the current services negotiations, which constitute an essential element of the Doha Development Agenda. A particular accent is put on the development of practical skills to reinforce the Members' capacity to actively participate in the current negotiations.

Through lectures, case studies and practical exercises, the different aspects of the legal framework and the economic foundations of the GATS will be addressed. The participants are also expected to share their national experience of liberalization of trade in services. Representatives of the World Bank, as well as prominent diplomats directly concerned with the negotiating process are also actively involved in the training delivery.

This training course constitutes an integral part of the 2004 programme of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation.

List of the participants: Second specialized course on trade in services - 6-17 December 2004
  back to top