GATS and the Evolution of Trade in Services Negotiations (1995–2011)

1. GATS enters into force with WTO

   Jan 1, 1995Labels: GATS, World Trade

   • WTO GATS
   • EUR Lex

2. Fifth Protocol negotiations conclude on financial services

   Dec 3, 1997Labels: Fifth Protocol, Financial services

   • WTO 5th Protocol
   • WTO Finance

3. Basic Telecommunications Protocol takes effect

   Feb 5, 1998Labels: Fourth Protocol, Basic telecommunications

   • WTO Telecom history

4. Financial Services Protocol enters into force

   Mar 1, 1999Labels: Fifth Protocol, Financial services

   • WTO Finance overview

5. WTO formally launches new round of services talks

   Feb 25, 2000Labels: WTO Council, Services negotiations

   • WTO 2000 news
   • WTO Services Week

6. Members adopt guidelines for services negotiations

   Mar 28, 2001Labels: Guidelines and, WTO members

   • WTO Key stages
   • WTO Services Week

7. Doha Declaration folds services talks into Doha Round

   Nov 14, 2001Labels: Doha Declaration, Doha Development

   • WTO Doha explained
   • WTO Canc n

8. Doha timetable begins with requests-and-offers process

   Jun 30, 2002Labels: Requests-and-offers, Doha timetable

   • WTO Doha explained

9. July Package keeps Doha services negotiations on track

   Aug 1, 2004Labels: July Package, WTO General

   • WTO July Package

10. Hong Kong Ministerial sets stronger services objectives

    Dec 18, 2005Labels: Hong Kong, Annex C

    • WTO HK Annex

11. Chair issues services text to support a Doha endgame

    May 26, 2008Labels: Negotiating chair, Services text

    • WTO 2008 report
    • WTO July 2008

12. Services signalling conference held during July 2008 talks

    Jul 26, 2008Labels: Services signalling, Trade ministers

    • WTO July 2008

13. WTO adopts LDC Services Waiver at MC8

    Dec 17, 2011Labels: LDC Services, MC8 Geneva

    • WTO MC8
    • UN LDC portal
    • WTO LDC waiver