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MODE 4 India-Singapore CECA. Sumanta Chaudhuri. Salient features of CECA-Services. Signed in June, 2005 Based on Positive List approach Ch 7 – Trade in Services Ch 9 – MNP Schedules of Commitments –Annex 7A & 7B List of Professionals – Annex 9A.
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MODE 4India-Singapore CECA Sumanta Chaudhuri
Salient features of CECA-Services Signed in June, 2005 Based on Positive List approach Ch 7 – Trade in Services Ch 9 – MNP Schedules of Commitments –Annex 7A & 7B List of Professionals – Annex 9A
Salient features of MNP in CECA Separate Chapter on MNP MNP chapter serves also as Specific Commitment (SC) Chapter • Commitments also subject to limitations/conditions scheduled in Ch 7 Mode 4 – unbound in schedules except as per commitments in Ch.9 Obligations apply only to sectors where SC taken in investment/services chapters Leaves out Citizenship, Permanent Residence & Employment on permanent basis
MNP – Salient features • Applies to citizens/permanent residents of both Four categories of natural persons • Business Visitor – (BV) • Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) • Short-term Service Suppliers (STSS) • Professionals – P • Specific duration for each category • Definition of category and conditions to be fulfilled
MNP-salient features • No LMT, ENT as pre-condition for these categories • Singapore has removed salary benchmarking No Social Security Contributions required in host country • No corresponding benefits can be obtained from host country
Spouses and Dependents • Citizens and permanent residents of both granted long-term temp entry • Can bring in spouse/dependents • Spouses/dependents can apply independently for working as • Managers • Specialists • Executives
Regulatory Transparency Specific contact points for enquiry & facilitation Reasonable time period between publishing regulations & their entry into force Exchange of information on current procedures Expeditious disposal of applications for grant of Visa
Regulatory Transparency Notification of outcome of individual applications Mutual Resolution of problems by both sides Dispute Settlement only on exhausting domestic administrative remedies of other party - Deemed to be exhausted if no final determination within 1 year of proceedings being initiated
Comparison with GATS Commitments (Revised Offer) SINGAPORE-GATS PLUS - GATS – only ICT covered, not other categories - Conditions & duration for ICT similar in both INDIA- All four categories in both RO & CECA - Duration longer for ITC, IP, CSS in GATS - Sectoral coverage similar for IP except Tourism Services uncovered in CECA - Professions listed in CECA but not in RO - None for national treatment except conditions for grant of visa in RO
Correspondence of listed professions to W/120 Accountancy, Auditing & Bookkeeping – 1A(b) Taxation – 1A(c) Architectural, – 1A(d) Engineering + Integrated Engineering – 1A(e),(f) Urban planning and land scape architectural – 1A(g) Medical & Dental – 1A (h)
Correspondence of listed professions to W/120 Veterinary – 1A(i) CRS – 1B R&D – 1C Advertising – 1F(a) Market research – 1F(b)* Management Consulting/Services related to management consulting – 1F(c) (d) Related scientific & technical consulting – 1F(m) Advisory & other auxiliary – 7B(k)
Analysis & Impact • Listing of occupations based on commercial interest • No specific LMT,ENT used for identifying skill shortages • No Major wage depression concerns • No commitments by sending Country ensuring return of natural persons • No changes to existing immigration regime in both • Clear separation of temporary entry from immigration/citizenship
Analysis and impact • No specific review on extent of movement • Procedural simplification and expedited grant of visas • Movement of professionals dependent on recognition of qualifications • Provision for negotiation of MRA’s • No tangible progress in any profession • Problems on both sides
Lessons for GATS Mode 4 Negotiations • Model in CECA could be replicated in GATS • Seems to apply more to higher skill personnel • Obligations by sending country not needed for such categories • Changes in immigration regime not needed/ so difficult as made out
Lessons for GATS Mode 4 Negotiations • Clear carve-out for citizenship/permanent employment from the coverage • Specificity in definitions, coverage, duration & conditions • Almost all the CECA provisions contained in Mode 4 Group proposals - Market access commitments - Regulatory transparency