The workshop, titled “Promoting Connectivity – Exploring the Services Dimension,” was held as part of the 2016-17 work program for Aid for Trade, a WTO initiative which mobilizes resources to address trade-related constraints identified by developing and least developed countries.

The workshop discussed the need to address both restrictive policies and poor regulatory environments which hinder the development of competitive services sectors.

Martin Roy of the WTO's Trade in Services and Investment Division noted how trade policy and Aid for Trade can help create an enabling environment that allows for competitive services markets. This could include reducing barriers to services and enhancing openness to foreign direct investment while at the same time improving regulatory regimes to ensure that the introduction of competition among services providers is done correctly.

Other speakers discussed implications of and possible programs to address, the divide in capacities and infrastructure between high income countries and developing/least developed countries.

Kemal Huseinovic of the International Telecommunication Union shared initiatives being undertaken to bridge this digital divide by using information and communication technology (ICT) in sectors like health and climate change adaptation, thus giving momentum to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Cosmas Zavazava, also of the ITU, noted the use of “big data” for business services, its impact on competitiveness, and the resulting legal interventions that may be needed to adapt to these advances.

In addition to these perspectives, cases relating to certain countries, regions, and services sectors were also presented. Marcus Bartley Johns of the World Bank Group spoke about the untapped potential of services in Africa and the work that must be undertaken to reduce the burden of services trade restrictions in the region – a regulatory burden that often pushes traders into the informal sector. Ambassador Syed Tauqir Shah of Pakistan outlined the vibrant growth in digital connectivity and ecommerce in his country which has been built on appropriate regulatory enabling environments, infrastructure upgrading and training. Zoritsa Urosevic of the UN World Tourism Organization explained how both the internet and travel and tourism revolutions were running in parallel.  Digitally connected travellers were transforming the travel and the tourism experience, including in least-developed countries. Digital technology, such as electronic visas, also offered opportunities to resolve travel facilitation bottlenecks.  

During the meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development in Aid for Trade session, Deputy Director-General Frederick Yonov Agah recalled that the 6th Global Review will be organized on 11-13 July around the theme of “Promoting Connectivity”.  DDG Agah encouraged members to respond to the accompanying joint OECD-WTO Aid for Trade Monitoring and Evaluation exercise.  The Chairperson, Ambassador Christopher ONYANGA APARR (Uganda), extended the deadline for M&E responses to 30 November to facilitate Members responses.