Title of the activity
Services Trade Policy in Africa: Conference and workshop.
Activity Type
Other global activity
Description
This activity consists of two parts:
- 27 February: Conference on Services Trade Policy in Africa (WTO headquarters, Geneva): Building the capacity of African countries to use the results of the services trade regulatory surveys (and the related quantification of trade policies, i.e. the Services Trade Restrictions Index). The surveys were conducted by the WTO and World Bank with the support of GiZ, ITC and EU. Participants will be able to acquire knowledge about this project, as well as to learn how this can be used in the context of trade in services negotiations, be it at the regional (i.e. AfCFTA), subregional or multilateral levels. This exercise will also enable African national policy makers to compare their services trade policy with those of other economies within the region and around the World, identify best practices and areas for potential policy reform. Participants will be able to learn from many international experts from the region.
- 28 February: WTO Workshop for the GIZ study visit organized on the side-lines of the conference (WTO headquarters, Geneva). The group will consist of 30-35 participants from 8 countries (CIV, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Tunisia) as well as the 3 Regional Secretariats (EAC, ECOWAS, SADC), all financed by GIZ. We will dig deeper into the use of the results of the surveys to prepare services offers, and to use the information for national and regional trade in services discussions including the establishment of services regulatory frameworks (topic currently under discussion in the context of the AfCFTA). This will be conducted jointly by TSD staff and a regional expert. The Secretariat will also present the WTO plurilateral discussions (JSIs) on Services Domestic Regulation and on Investment Facilitation for Development.
- 27 February: Conference on Services Trade Policy in Africa (WTO headquarters, Geneva): Building the capacity of African countries to use the results of the services trade regulatory surveys (and the related quantification of trade policies, i.e. the Services Trade Restrictions Index). The surveys were conducted by the WTO and World Bank with the support of GiZ, ITC and EU. Participants will be able to acquire knowledge about this project, as well as to learn how this can be used in the context of trade in services negotiations, be it at the regional (i.e. AfCFTA), subregional or multilateral levels. This exercise will also enable African national policy makers to compare their services trade policy with those of other economies within the region and around the World, identify best practices and areas for potential policy reform. Participants will be able to learn from many international experts from the region.
- 28 February: WTO Workshop for the GIZ study visit organized on the side-lines of the conference (WTO headquarters, Geneva). The group will consist of 30-35 participants from 8 countries (CIV, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Tunisia) as well as the 3 Regional Secretariats (EAC, ECOWAS, SADC), all financed by GIZ. We will dig deeper into the use of the results of the surveys to prepare services offers, and to use the information for national and regional trade in services discussions including the establishment of services regulatory frameworks (topic currently under discussion in the context of the AfCFTA). This will be conducted jointly by TSD staff and a regional expert. The Secretariat will also present the WTO plurilateral discussions (JSIs) on Services Domestic Regulation and on Investment Facilitation for Development.
Venue
Switzerland
City
WTO
Trade topic
Trade in Services
Start Date
End Date
Duration (days)
2
selection process
There is no selection to attend the Conference on the first day. Selection to attend the second day has already been completed by GIZ, partner in the organization of this event.
Target Audience
Government officials
Language
Multilingual
Key Result
1. Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and fully realising Members' rights and obligations
Key Output
1.1: Government officials have enhanced knowledge about WTO Agreements, trade policy formulation and conduct of trade negotiations
Programme