Global Services Forum - Session 5: Promoting the participation of developing regions in global information and communications technology-enabled services trade

Information technologies’ enabled services (ITES) trade has proved to be more resilient to the pandemic than traditional services (tourism and transport) foreign transactions. Several categories of ITES trade have even seen their growth accelerating since the outbreak of COVID-19. However, developing regions account for less than one-quarter of global ITES exports.

In this context, this event aims to discuss the main challenges holding back the developing countries’ participation in global ITES trade. Also, it looks into both domestic and international drivers explaining the success of some emerging economies in this part of global trade. On the domestic front, the panel addresses the roles of foreign direct investment (FDI), skills development, services regulations, small and medium size enterprises support policies, access to credit for services production and other intangibles investment, and policy coordination.

The event also discusses the relevance of ITES and FDI chapters in free trade agreements (such as ASEAN, the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), treaties to avoid double taxation, and the ongoing plurilateral negotiations on e-commerce and domestic regulation on services in the international arena. The meeting also addresses differences between Africa, Asia and Latin America regarding progress and remaining challenges in these themes. The event also addresses the importance of ITES imports for developing countries as a driver of competitiveness of the export sector.

Objective

This event is expected to increase the understanding of crucial factors and policy interventions that drive developing countries’ successful participation in global information technologies’ enabled services (ITES) exports, separating domestic policies from trade and FDI policies. It will also discuss how the pandemic may be changing some of these crucial factors.

This event is also supported with International Sign Language.

Download: Concept Note and Programme

Watch recording of Session 5