GATS TRAINING MODULE: CHAPTER 5

Role and Responsibilities of Member Governments

Click the + to open an item.

5.1 Ministries and Agencies Involved

show help page

The GATS is a relatively new agreement. National administrations thus have less experience in dealing with GATS-related issues than with “traditional” trade problems under the GATT, and they do not normally have a central structure for coordinating their services-related policies. A wide range of ministries and agencies at various government levels may be involved.

Actually, regulation of services often occurs at sub-federal levels (state/province/parish and municipal) or, in some instances (e.g., professional licensing) has been delegated to private sector organisations. A related challenge is the fact that there are some 160 service subsectors involved, which would be difficult to oversee for any central agency. In order to ensure compliance with existing obligations, and to participate effectively in the new round, national administrations may find it useful to create sector — or issue-related working groups. Box E suggests how such groups might be composed.

 

Box E: Possible Composition of the Government Working Groups

Government Working Group

Government Working Group Composition

Responsible Government Ministries/Agencies

Other Potentially Relevant Bodies

Business services

Industry and Commerce
Agriculture
Fisheries
Forestry
Mining
Justice

Real Estate Board
Professional Licensing Registrar
National Research Council

Communication services

Communications
Industry and Commerce
Culture and Education

Telecom Regulator
Postal Service Provider
National Film Board
National News Service

Construction and related engineering services

Public Works
Industry and Commerce

Housing Authority
Planning & Zoning Authority

Distribution services

Industry and Commerce
Customs Authority

Planning & Zoning Authority

Educational services

Culture and Education
Industry and Commerce

 

Environmental services

Environment
Industry and Commerce

Waste Disposal Authority
Recycling Authority

Financial services

Finance
Central Bank
Insurance/Banking Registrar
Securities Regulator
Pension Fund Regulator

 

Health-related and social services

Health
Social Welfare
Women & Families

Natural Disaster Agency
Infectious Disease Authority
Vocational Rehabilitation

Recreational, cultural and sporting services

Culture and Education
Sports
Parks Authority

National Museum
National Library
National Arts Council
National Film Agency

Tourism and travel-related services

Tourism
Parks Authority

Planning and Zoning Authority

Tourism and travel-related services

Transportation
Vehicle Licensing

Port Authority
Airport Authority
Rail operators

Transport services

Transportation
Vehicle Licensing

Port Authority
Airport Authority
Rail operators

Other services

Utilities Regulator

Public utilities (water, gas, electricity)

Cross-Sector: Modes of Supply & E-Trade

Immigration Authority
Investment Authority
Export Development Authority
Company Registry
Land Title Registry
Industry and Commerce

 

Cross-Sector: Standards & Professional Credentials

Standards Agency
Employment Standards
Worker’s Compensation Board
Licensing & Work Permits
Ministry of Trade

Professional services associations

Cross-Sector: Co-ordination among Levels of Government

Industry and Commerce

 

Cross-Sector: Economic and Labour Force Development

Human Resource Development
Human Rights Commission
Micro-Enterprises
Taxation Authority
Planning & Zoning Authority
Ministry of Labour

 

Adapted from OECD, 2002.

 

 

show previous page   show next page

Chapters done:

show previous page show next page