‘Developed world too ambitious in govt procurement of services’

Speaking at a seminar on WTO negotiations on trade in services organised jointly by Ficci and Saarc chamber of commerce and industry, he said initial requests filed by developed countries under ongoing negotiations concentrated mostly around commercial presence in respect of financial, energy, environmental, transport and professional services.

Rudy said national associations of various professions in the South Asian countries must initiate a process whereby the mutual recognition agreements are facilitated since this could hinder growth of trade in professional services.

“The question of recognition of qualifications is likely to be a significant road-block to growth in trade in professional services sector,” he said adding that recognition of qualifications from developed countries would involve building equivalence, upgrading standards of education, training and work experience.

Rudy said developing countries must also insist upon a multilateral assessment of trade in services as against attempts by developed countries to have only national assessment.