« The voice of the European Service Industries in t he GATS negotiations »

1. «The voice of the European Service Industries inthe GATS negotiations» WHY DO WE NEED THE WTO MINISTERIAL IN CANCUN TO BE A SUCCESS ? • The world economy is in serious difficulty. • Unemployment is rising again. • The opening of new markets, particularly in the services sectors – which represent more than 70% of the European economy - will create the investment, jobs and exports we all need. • CEOs and company heads need good news: success at Cancun will have a positive effect on the world economy… Conversely, failure will undoubtedly worsen the economic crisis. • ESF urges all WTO Trade Ministers to keep this message in mind so as to ensure success at the Ministerial: • Do not let progress in the WTO services negotiations become a hostage to agriculture; • Do encourage initial offers in services negotiations by fixing new intermediary deadlines. • Do launch the negotiations on the “Singapore issues”, without trying to anticipate the results, • Let’s conclude the DDA round on schedule in December 2004.

2. «The voice of the European Service Industries inthe GATS negotiations» THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICES IN THE EUROPEAN & WORLD ECONOMIES Services represent more than 65% of GDP in Developed Countries and more than 50% in Developing Countries Services represent 26% of world trade Services represent more than 70% of employment in the EU and in most Developed Countries Services represent more than 70% of all enterprises in the EU More than 55% of EU Services Companies are SMEs (-50 employees) Services represent more than 60% of Foreign Direct Investment