The Hindu Business Line : Australia's services offer sets benchmark for global partnership

AUSTRALIA'S latest offer in the World Trade Organisation's services trade negotiations, tabled in May in Geneva, demonstrates our responsiveness to developing country concerns and our commitment to achieving real progress in the Doha Round. It also underscores Australia's position as a leading player on services liberalisation.

The highlight of the revised offer, particularly for developing countries, is the commitment on the temporary movement of skilled workers which will give greater certainty to skilled foreign workers — including contractual service providers — seeking temporary entry into Australia. While Australia has long maintained favourable conditions for intra-corporate transferees, our extended commitments on contractual services go even further in responding to developing country interests. Since the initial phase of negotiations in March 2003, Australia has worked closely with other WTO members to deliver a high quality offer reflecting the interests of both developed and developing countries.

Developing countries are increasingly aware that efficient services industries play a central role in creating vibrant, resilient economies and that good domestic regulation and a liberalised services sector are crucial parts of this process. The services sector accounts for 40-50 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in developing countries and up to 80 per cent of GDP and four out of five jobs in countries such as Australia.

Countries that pursue an open market policy can expect to benefit from increased investment in infrastructure, technology transfers and reduced domestic skills shortages. Fostering better access to services markets in all WTO member countries is an essential part of improving employment opportunities and ensuring continued economic growth throughout the region.

To take advantage of the benefits generated by liberalising trade in services, all WTO members must make credible offers. Australia hopes to see countries which have not done so to table services offers to inject momentum in the WTO's services negotiations.

While Australia is determined to moving forward, momentum in the negotiating round will only be achieved through meaningful offers from its partners. Both developing and developed countries stand to benefit from services liberalisation. It is important that we all seize the opportunity provided by the Doha Round.

(The author is Australia's Minister for Trade.)

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