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UNCTAD Findings on Services, Development and Trade

The service sector is a fundamental component of the economic structure of all nations. Services themselves are a catalyst for economic growth but also function as inputs into the agriculture and manufacturing sectors as well as cross linkages with benefits attached to other services.

Services have continuously gained importance over the last three decades for policymakers, regulators and consumers.

This report reviews the findings of various UNCTAD reports and studies from 2009 to 2013 on services, trade and development. The findings across those works relate to the following themes:

  • Why the services economy is important;

  • What are the opportunities and challenges for developing countries, including least developed countries (LDCs) and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), especially for employment and trade diversification;

  • What can be learnt from both developed and developing countries that have been successful in promoting the growth of the service sectors and trade in services;

  • How can services help sustainable development and value-added competitiveness;

  • What sound service policies, regulatory frameworks and trade liberalization may work for the benefit of developing countries?

22 Sep 2014