The benefits of services trade liberalization

ICC also urged all governments engaged in the multilateral negotiating process to make specific market access and national treatment commitments in a wide range of service sectors. This advocacy contributed to the Uruguay Round's ultimate success in adopting the new General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and creating the World Trade Organization (WTO) to oversee its implementation (along with the implementation of other significant trade agreements).

ICC has continued its activist role since the Uruguay Round by providing business advice during the subsequent negotiations on basic telecommunications, financial services, and professional services, each of which advanced the cause of trade liberalization. In light of this record it is only natural that ICC anticipates playing an active and constructive role as the voice of global business during the forthcoming "Services 2000" negotiations, expected to be launched at this year's WTO Third Ministerial Conference.