GATS
Benchmarking and other approaches for liberalisation in GATS: what does it mean for developing countries
How benchmarking will affect developing countries
Authors:
; South Centre
Publisher:
South Centre, 2005
This briefing paper examines ‘Benchmarking’ and other approaches such as plurilateral which have become the central focus of the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) negotiations in the WTO. In the GATS context, the concept of benchmarking relates to setting minimum levels of commitments for negotiations. Benchmarking has also been interchanged with terms such as ‘complementary approach’, ‘formula based approach’, etc., which have been reflected in various proposals submitted to change the current method or modality of negotiations for undertaking market access commitments.
The various benchmarking proposals include quantitative and qualitative dimensions for minimum number and types of sectors to be committed and modal prescriptions specifying the removal of certain limitations and setting a standard level of commitments.
These briefing argues that these approaches do not demonstrate a commitment to achieving the built-in development orientated objectives or benchmarks in GATS, in fact the reverse, as they would clearly be to the detriment of developing countries. Moreover, these proposals aim to increase the level of ambition in services, which are inconsistent with the gradualist, individual based, positive listing principles which are enshrined in the GATS architecture.
