Decisions Relating to the General Agreement on Trade in Services

Decision on Institutional Arrangements for the General Agreement on Trade in Services

The Decision states that the Council for Trade in Services may establish subsidiary bodies (eg. dealing with specific sectors) that will report to the Council. It establishes the responsibilities of the subsidiary bodies, including the review and surveillance of the Agreement with respect to a sector, the formulation of proposals for the amendment of sectoral annexes etc. The Decision establishes a Committee on Trade in Financial Services.

Technical Assistance

The sectoral committees will provide technical assistance to developing country Members and developing countries negotiating accession to the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization for matters affecting trade in services in the sector concerned.

Decision on Negotiations on Movement of Natural Persons


Ministers decide that negotiations on further liberalization of the movement of natural persons for the purpose of supplying services is to continue under the WTO, with a view to allowing the achievement of higher levels of commitments by participants under the General Agreement on Trade in Services. They also established a Negotiating Group on Movement of Natural Persons to carry out the negotiations.

Recognition of Interests

Ministers recall the objectives of increasing the participation of developing countries in trade in services and expanding their service exports.