Servicification for economic diversification
The meeting will provide an opportunity for experts to exchange views and good practices on how servicification is an important means to pursue structural transformation, productivity growth, economic diversification and enhanced resilience.
During the meeting, trends and examples of servicification across countries will be presented, and discussions will focus on the impact of recent trends on digitalization, knowledge-intensive services and trade policy, including opportunities and challenges for developing economies.
Sessions will examine the role of trade in services in supporting economic diversification, consistent with the Geneva Consensus (TD/561/Add.2). In paragraph 21 of the Geneva Consensus, the "growing significance of services as a new frontier for structural transformation, particularly for developing countries seeking to diversify their economies" is underscored. The discussion will be in line with the objectives of paragraph 80.14 of the Geneva Consensus on promoting productive activities in developing countries through trade in services.
A segment of the discussion will be dedicated to data needs and gaps related to servicification. How improved data can enhance understanding of servicification and support policymaking will be explored, notably in the area of trade policy, to enable developing economies to harness servicification for economic diversification and development. Findings from the discussion will align with the objectives of paragraph 80.15 of the Geneva Consensus on improving the collection, accessibility and use of services trade data to inform policy decisions.
Participation
This meeting is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Other organizations, including specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations in the general and special categories, as well as academia, research institutions and the private sector, may participate as observers.
Member States are invited to nominate experts from the public and private sectors. Nominated experts are encouraged to participate in all sessions to ensure continuity.
Inputs from experts
Experts nominated by member States are encouraged to submit brief papers (approximately 5-12 pages) as contributions to the work of the meeting. The papers will be made available at the meeting in the form and language in which they are received.
Papers should be submitted to the UNCTAD secretariat in advance of the meeting, addressed to TSCE@un.org.
