Services
The Chilean experience in services negotiations
Trade in services was brought into the world negotiating agenda in the early 1990s. Since the entry into force of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994 and the World Trade Organization in 1995 countries have engaged in active negotiations in this area both regionally and bilaterally. Latin American countries have been particularly active in this process having negotiated 20 percent of PTAs covering trade in goods and 47 percent of those dealing with trade in services that have been notified to the WTO. Chile and Mexico stand out having notified to the WTO ten and nine agreements covering trade in services respectively.
Out of stock or just in time? Doha and the liberalization of distribution services
Distribution companies provide the necessary link between producers and consumers within and across borders. The efficiency of the sector helps ensure that consumer welfare is maximized and also that the benefits of freer trade in goods actually make their way to final consumers. Failure of the distribution sector to perform its role well – which can be induced by government policies restricting competition – can lead to a significant misallocation of resources and economic costs.