Trade in services negotiations, including the so-called mega-regionals, play a crucial role in framing available policy options to leverage services for development. However, LDCs and smaller developing countries are often not the participants, or unable to shape the outcomes. For them, the worst scenario would be to be left out of the opening of services markets among developed and a few developing countries. This paper is an attempt to understand the possible way forward for these countries, exploring prospects both within and outside the WTO.
This study is published as part of the “Support to Enhance Development of Trade in Services Negotiations” initiative jointly undertaken by ILEAP, CUTS International Geneva and the University of Sussex’s CARIS. It aims to contribute to the increased and more effective participation of Least Developed, Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries and their Regional Economic Communities in multilateral, regional and bilateral services trade negotiations.