Temporary Movement of Service Providers (Mode 4)

1. How is Mode 4 defined under the GATS? How should it be defined?

2. How important is Mode 4 as a means of trade in different services sectors – today, potentially? In what form?

3. What are the main barriers to Mode 4 trade and how are they being dealt with

today?

4. Is it possible to assess the gains from liberalizing Mode 4, and, if so, how big

are the gains?

5. How far do current national regimes distinguish between temporary and permanent movement? How does the treatment of temporary movement relate

to Mode 4 under the GATS?

6. What is the existing level of Mode 4 commitments?

7. Do the changes in the economic and political context since the Uruguay Round justify expectations of – and efforts to achieve - a more liberalizing outcome on Mode 4?

8. How much has been achieved on Mode 4 in regional agreements? Is this relevant to the GATS?

9. What is needed, in general, to improve conditions for Mode 4 trade, and what role can the GATS play? What concrete steps need to be taken?

10. What is the basis for political concerns about Mode 4 liberalization?

11. How far can concerns about brain drain in home countries and and adverse impact on workers abroad be addressed through complementary policies?

12. How serious would the political difficulties be if it could be ensured that movement is temporary not permanent?

13. What can be done to ensure that movement will remain temporary?