Articulating a Trade in Services for Development Solution Package: The WTO–World Bank Trade in Services for Development (TS4D) Initiative

Overview & Synopsis

The WB and WTO aim to complete the development of this checklist by the end of 2024. Building on the collaboration established in disseminating the joint report’s key findings, the WB and WTO would aim to partner with leading regional institutions (e.g., regional UN commissions, regional development banks) in identifying pilot countries and/or regional groupings wishing to use the competitiveness checklist for purposes of devising national/regional trade strategies in services. The diagnostics produced by countries would (i) document the domestic reform priorities of countries/regions, (ii) assist countries in defining the key strategic orientations and overarching objectives of their national services trade policies, (iii) help define key interests that might best be pursued through international trade negotiations or cooperation as complements to domestic (unilateral) reform efforts, and (iv) help identify and prioritize development and technical assistance needs in relation to services trade policies, under the coordination of trade ministries.