VIR20-31

Sessions and Objectives

- Major trends in world services trade - Overview of the GATS architecture, main purpose and obligations

Date: 07/12/2020 Duration: 2 (h)

Number of participants: Men(0) / Women(0)

Objective: - To familiarize participants with major trends in Service Trade, - To enhance understanding of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) as a template agreement used in the context of regional integration.

Category: Improve knowledge of WTO Agreements or particular area of Agreements, of WTO negotiations, of WTO Committees or WTO subjects

Indicators:

  • Indicator: Participants opinion

    Evidence: quality of the presentations: 50% very good, 50% good

  • Indicator: Participation – frequency and quality of the interventions / questions raised, contribution to group work

    Evidence: The general level of interaction was very good.

  • Indicator: Presentation to the group – relevance, quality of the substance, quality of the form, time management, etc.

    Evidence: This introductory session was well received by participants. Some Oman-specific services data was presented, for which participants were particularly grateful.

Conclusion: The objective was achieved.

Results: To a large extend

Main obligations of the GATS : Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment, Market Access, National Treatment, and scheduling of specific commitments .

Date: 08/12/2020 Duration: 2 (h)

Number of participants: Men(0) / Women(0)

Objective: - To familiarize participants with mains obligations of the GATS, as well as schedules of specific commitments.

Category: Improve knowledge of WTO Agreements or particular area of Agreements, of WTO negotiations, of WTO Committees or WTO subjects

Indicators:

  • Indicator: Participants opinion

    Evidence: quality of the facilitator: 56% very good, 11 % good, 22 % medium, 11% satisfactory

Conclusion: The objective was achieved.

Results: To a large extend

State of play of negotiations in the Joint Initiatives on Services Domestic Regulation and on Investment Facilitation for Development.

Date: 09/12/2020 Duration: 2 (h)

Number of participants: Men(0) / Women(0)

Objective: To enhance participants' understanding of the content and negotiating process of the two JSI.

Category: Improve knowledge of WTO Agreements or particular area of Agreements, of WTO negotiations, of WTO Committees or WTO subjects

Indicators:

  • Indicator: Participants opinion

    Evidence: quality of the facilitator: 13% very good,63 % good, 25 % medium

Conclusion: The objective was achieved.

Results: To a large extend

Services and regional trade agreements and Services market access discussions in the CTS -Special Session

Date: 10/12/2020 Duration: 2 (h)

Number of participants: Men(0) / Women(0)

Objective: To familiarize participants with recent trends in RTAs, To enhance participants understanding on the ongoing discussions in the Special Session of the Council Trade in Services.

Category: Improve knowledge of WTO Agreements or particular area of Agreements, of WTO negotiations, of WTO Committees or WTO subjects

Indicators:

  • Indicator: Participants opinion

    Evidence: quality of the facilitator: 50% very good,38 % good, 13% medium

Conclusion: The objective was achieved.

Results: To a large extend