The Relationship between Services Trade and Government Procurement Commitments

Abstract

Paper has been prepared by the authors in their personal capacities. It has benefited greatly from two rounds of discussion in the WTO's Working Party on GATS Rules, in the course of which many useful suggestions were provided by WTO delegations. The authors have attempted to reflect these suggestions as far as possible given the necessity of maintaining appropriate neutrality regarding potential negotiating issues. Thanks are due to Felipe Sandoval (former Chairman of the Working Party on GATS Rules), Hamid Mamdouh (Director of the WTO's Services Division) and Antony Taubman