Main theme:
Services in the Global Economy

Sub-themes:
(1) Globalisation & liberalisation
(2) The China market
(3) The new economy

Programme structure:

The overall programme structure is as follows.

Day One – 20 September 2001 (Thursday)

The Challenge of Globalisation

This session deals with the challenges of a globalised economy. It will examine the role of services in the globalised economy and address issues such as the effect of globalisation and market opening on economic development, the impact on local industries and SMEs, the challenges to productivity and competitive efficiency, and the implications for multilateral trade liberalisation.

Breakout I (AM)

There will be two breakout sessions on the first day of the Congress, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. A wide rang of topics will be examined by these breakout groups, such as the negotiating agenda for the General Agreement on Trade in Services, strategies for promotion of trade and investment of the service industries, opportunities arising from China’s entry to the WTO, etc. Some of these breakout groups will produce a policy recommendation and the moderators of these groups will be asked to prepare a short summary to be presented to the Plenary Session on the second day of the Congress. The topics of all breakout sessions will relate to one or more of the core themes of the Congress, i.e. globalisation, China or new economy.

The suggested topics for some of the breakout groups are as follows:

• The GATS negotiating agenda
• Servicing the China market
• Current developments in e-commerce and e-business
• Travel and tourism
• Film and entertainment services
• Development in modern distribution and logistics
• Insurance and pension services
• Strategies for promoting services trade and investment

(For details, see separate section below.)

First Day lunch

The Luncheon will feature a prominent speaker from the People’s Republic of China.

China service sectors in the globalised economy

This session will examine the services sectors of the People’s Republic of China, particularly in the context of the latter’s impending entry to the World Trade Organisation. The role of the service industries as a growth and employment engine for China will be examined, as will the implications of trade liberalisation and regional development. The opportunities and pressure points from specific service sectors of interest will also be discussed.

Breakout II (PM)

See details in separate section below.

Congress Dinner

The Official Gala Dinner of the World Services Congress

Day Two – 21 September 2001 (Friday)

Reporting back session

This will be the reporting-back plenary for the breakout-sessions which produce a policy recommendation. The chairmen of the selected breakout groups will each give a three-minute summary of the main points from their group’s deliberation, followed by commentaries and open discussion.

The challenges of the new economy

In this session we shall discuss the “next stage” of the Internet revolution and examine how services liberalisation can be further taken forward in a globalising world where business transactions are being rapidly advanced through modern technology. Does trade policy need to be re-defined in the Internet era? Can e-commerce be regulated? - These are some of the questions to be addressed.

Second Day lunch

The concluding luncheon of the World Services Congress

Breakout sessions

Each breakout session will address a specific topic or sector in relation to one or more of the core themes of the Congress – globalisation, China and new economy. The following topics and speakers/moderators for the breakout groups are subject to confirmation.

1. The GATS negotiating agenda

To discuss the key topics to be addressed in the substantial negotiations of the General Agreement on Trade in Services, such as trade and regulatory reform, national treatment, modes of delivery, etc., now that the preparatory phase of “Services 2000” is over. How the GATS relates to the other negotiations within the WTO will also be examined.

2. Servicing the China market

To share experience on the opportunities and obstacles arising from the huge and diversified services market in Mainland China. In China’s Tenth Five Year Plan, the development of the “tertiary industries” has been given a prominent place, as has the opening of the vast inland region. These would generate great opportunities and challenges for international businesses.

3. Current developments in e-commerce and e-business

To examine, from a business perspective, the impact of the Internet on the development of the service industries, including trade and investment in services, especially for emerging economies like Mainland China. The desirability, feasibility or otherwise of global regulation of e-commerce will also be examined.

4. Travel and tourism

To share experience on the prospects and challenges for the growing travel and tourism markets, particularly in the emerging markets; the interaction between new technology and old attractions; the barriers to their development and the ways of overcoming these barriers.

5. Film and entertainment services

To examine the trade prospects of the fast growing film and entertainment industries and the wide range of related services sectors involved in production, distribution, infrastructure, programming, content provision, etc., and to discuss their linkage with other technology and information industries.

6. Development in modern distribution and logistics

To examine how modernisation of distribution, logistics and supply chain management is changing the way business and commerce is conducted. There will be an emphasis on the large potential market in Mainland China and the application of “new economy” methods in the distribution industries.

7. Insurance and pension services

To consider the business implications and the social and public policy issues arising from the rising need for insurance, retirement, pension and related asset management services, and to share experience between advanced and emerging economies on this growing industry.

8. Strategies for promoting services trade and investment

To share experience on barriers to promotion of investment and trade in services, given the wide ranging and less tangible nature of services. The strategies of overcoming these barriers will also be examined.

Other topics for consideration

Other breakout workshops can also be considered as the programme develops. The following are some examples.

- Telecommunications regulation and de-regulation

To examine how the global regulatory framework for telecommunications should be further developed in the face of rapidly changing industry landscape.

- Liberalisation of professional services

To examine the relevance of trade policy for cross-border professional services, the impact of changing forms of professional service delivery (such as multidisciplinary practices), and the barriers to free movement of professionals.

Fringe Meetings and Associated Workshops

There are two opportunities to organise supplementary seminars and workshops, immediately before (afternoon, Wednesday 19 September) and after (afternoon, Friday 21 September) the official programme of the Congress. Some of the planned and scheduled meetings are as follows.

Wednesday 19^th September 4:00pm

(a) GSN Directors Meeting

Meeting of the core members of the Global Services Network.

To exchange views on the challenges to developing countries as a result of globalisation and the impact of new technology.

To provide a forum to explore the possibility and options for the formation of a counterpart organisation to the Global Services Network for the People’s Republic of China.

Friday 21^st September, 2:30pm

Meeting of the Financial Leaders Group, a high-level international group of financial leaders coordinated by the trans-Atlantic members of the Global Services Network, to discuss issues such as barriers to trade in financial services, transparency and domestic regulation, data privacy, etc.

To encourage constructive dialogue to address the backlash against globalisation, to understand the concerns of the “third sectors” and to build concensus on the positive aspects of globalisation

Friday 21^st September, 4:00pm

To provide an opportunity for the exchange of views between the academic and business communities on pertinent issues related to globalisation, China and the new economy.

Meeting of the Global Services Network to discuss and adopt the Congress Resolution, and to plan future activities for the GSN.

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