COOPERATION IN SERVICES

The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services, which was signed in December 1995, provides a framework for negotiation to liberalize trade in services in ASEAN. The negotiations are expected to arrive at commitments to increase market access and national treatment to ASEAN service suppliers. The seven priority sectors for negotiations include air transport, business services, construction, financial services, maritime transport, telecommunications and tourism.

To oversee the negotiation process, a Coordinating Committee on Services (CCS) was set up in January 1996. Initially, the Committee focused on exchanging information on the GATS commitments of the Member Countries and their existing service regimes. Member Countries have also exchanged requests and initial indicative offers. The Committee finalised an initial package of indicative offers in July 1997. This initial package contained market access openings in air transport, telecommunications, business services, maritime transport and tourism. The package of offers would be submitted to the 29th AEM in October 1997 for endorsement and will be implemented no later than 31 March 1998.