OPPOSITION LEADER Edward Seaga has called on the government to release documents outlining Jamaica's commitments to the liberalisation of 19 service sectors and sub-sectors next year, as the preparation deadline for participation in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) draws to a close.
In a resolution tabled in the House of Representatives last Tuesday, Mr. Seaga said that derestricted files indicated that Jamaica has so far committed the 19 sectors and sub-sectors to
a Schedule of Commitments related to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
Written into GATS is a pledge by WTO member-governments to liberalise trade in services progressively. Jamaica became a member of the WTO in March 1995, and as a developing country was given ten years to be
prepared.
"Article xix (paragraph 1) commits WTO member-governments to start a new round of negotiations in 2000," Mr. Seaga noted in the resolution.
UNCERTAINTIES
He added: "And whereas these negotiations are now under way, there exist uncertainties and ambiguities in Jamaica's liberalisation of services, inclusive of the liberalisaton of higher education about which there are deep concerns of possible reduction in subsidies to Jamaican universities and other tertiary institutions (and) the liberalisation of health services about which there are far-reaching implications for the ordinary Jamaican regarding
the continuation of available subsidies."
The Opposition leader argued that the treaty copies, related to all 19 sectors and subsectors, are "absolutely necessary for academic studies and research so as to inform public sector and private sector policies".
An analysis of the treaty copies, he added, would significantly reduce ambiguities and uncertainties in the liberalisation of services and trade related policies.
"Be it resolved that this Honourable House requires that treaty copies for all 19 service sectors and sub-sectors, including the most recent round of negotiations undertaken in October 2004 be made available promptly to this Honourable House for early debate," he said.
The treaty copies, Mr. Seaga noted, have not been made available by the government and cannot be obtained from electronic sources such as the official WTO website.
