Experts put forward their views on how Governments of developed and developing countries could play an active role, at the national level and in multilateral negotiations, in promoting trade in professional services.

The background note by the UNCTAD secretariat entitled “Trade and development aspects of professional services and regulatory frameworks” and the discussion paper entitled “Moving professionals beyond national borders: Mutual recognition agreements and the GATS” were commended as important contributions to the discussions and as inputs into domestic policy formulation, including in the context of regional and multilateral initiatives and negotiations.

Different views were expressed on the issues touched upon in those documents. The Report of the meeting sets out to reflect the richness and diversity of the views expressed and suggestions made.