GATSsopimuksessa

GATSsopimuksessa refers to the General Agreement on Trade in Services, an international treaty administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO). It was signed in 1994 as part of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations and entered into force in 1995. The primary objective of GATS is to promote trade in services through progressive liberalization. It aims to reduce or eliminate barriers to international trade in various service sectors.

The agreement covers a wide range of services, including business services, communication services, financial services, tourism, and transport services. GATS operates on the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) principle, meaning that any trade concession granted to one member country must be extended to all other member countries. It also includes a national treatment obligation, which requires member countries to treat imported services and service suppliers no less favorably than their domestic counterparts.

GATS is structured around several key principles and annexes. It outlines different modes of service supply: cross-border supply, consumption abroad, commercial presence, and presence of natural persons. Member countries can make commitments to liberalize trade in specific sectors and modes of supply through schedules. The agreement also establishes a framework for dispute settlement related to trade in services. GATS aims to create a predictable and transparent environment for international trade in services, fostering economic growth and development globally.