THE WAY FORWARD. It would be desirable to reduce the GATS to a treaty that is restricted to the promotion and protection of international trade in services. MFN would be respected by all WTO Members, sub- ject to certain exceptions including measures to protect core labour standards. WTO Members would be able to make specific access commit- ments under modes 1 and 2, comprising appro- priate national treatment of foreign services. Modes 3 and 4 would be removed from the GATS, which would also no longer be an in- strument for the general liberalisation of na- tional economies through pro-competitive de- regulation and re-regulation (deletion of Articles VI 4-5 and Article XVI 2). In the present circumstances, there is admittedly little chance of realising such reform. But in the absence of profound reform, popular opposition to the GATS is likely to go on growing. And it should be possible for WTO Members to open a debate on the functioning of the GATS. Mean- while, it is important to: - Avoid, in future, the inclusion of GATS negotia- tions in global rounds of WTO talks like the DDA round. Such rounds may facilitate nego- tiation by permitting trade-offs across the ar- eas covered: services, agriculture, manufac- tured goods, etc. But such cross-sector bar- gaining, even within services, comes at the cost of transparency and democratic control, which are particularly important in services, given the regulatory implications. Also, recip- rocal, cross-sector bargaining is difficult under the GATS because of the technical complexity of services negotiations - as each service sector has its own regulatory particularities, it is diffi- cult to value concessions. The advances made after the Uruguay Round suggest that sepa- rate sectoral and issue-based negotiations are more likely to succeed. - Ensure more transparency and more meaning- ful stakeholder consultations at all levels, including at the WTO. - Ensure the involvement of other international organisations concerned by the issues or sec- tors under negotiation. In accordance with GATS Article XXVI, the WTO must arrange for consultation and co-operation with the United Nations and its specialised agencies and with other intergovernmental organisations con- cerned with services. It is for example unac- ceptable that, as is presently the case, postal services are negotiated within the WTO in the absence of the Universal Postal Union.
THE WAY FORWARD. Based on the discussion in this chapter, it can be argued that the most immediate action needed is to operationalize the development-friendly aspects of the GATS. BOX 13.7 SOME OF INDIA’S PROPOSALS ON REMOVING LIMITATIONS ON THE MOVEMENT OF NATURAL PERSONS Economic needs tests • Multilateral norms need to be established to reduce the scope for discriminatory practices in the use of economic needs tests. • Clear criteria need to be laid down for ■ Applying such tests.
THE WAY FORWARD. To provide for a proper preparation of the alignment with European legislation, it is deemed necessary to install an informal working group (IWG) on PTI as these new elements might not be covered by the work of the current existing GRs. Furthermore such an IWG would allow PTI experts to participate, as usually they are not well represented in any of the groups dealing with type-approval issues. In addition, providing a platform for discussions on PTI which should result in a consensus on possible amendments to existing rules and on the envisaged new rules would smooth the decision making process within WP.29 and AC.4.
THE WAY FORWARD. The Doha work programme gives developing countries the opportunity to advance their proposals for changes to the ASCM (Das, 2002). These proposals—included in the ‘Compilation of Outstanding Implementation Issues Raised by Members’— can be addressed in negotiations on WTO rules, with the objective of achieving greater policy space for human development. Given the successful use of subsidies by the East Asian ‘tiger’ economies, the revised agreement should provide other developing countries with the option of using this policy instrument for industrial development. Subsidies should be exam- ined from the perspective of domestic policy space. A new category of non-action- able subsidies essential to the development of developing countries would be an important step forward, providing these countries with more flexibility to imple- ment export subsidies. REFERENCES
THE WAY FORWARD a research agenda This study is built around a few basic premises. One of them is that Africa’s development issues are caused not by plotting of ruthless neo- colonial exploiters, not by prevailing climatic conditions, not by skin pigmentation or other genetic differences, not by something inherently ‘wrong’ in Africans or in African culture, and not by general backwardness. Instead, I have pointed to Xxxxxxx’s explanation, cited in chapter two: the basic problem lies in the way in which the old cultural 220 Language, Education and Identity in Africa traditions in Africa have been destroyed in the colonial period and have not yet been replaced by a new set of commonly-understood cultural traditions. If this is the crucial problem, then a research agenda should crucially be centred around understanding these developments and at identifying strategic opportunities for agency. Xxxx (2014) has called for decentralisation in Africa, democratisation, transcending current national boundaries, development of languages and basing oneself on ‘deeper historical identities’. In this study, I have limited myself to language in education and to cultural similarities and differences – already a vast field of exploration. Research into the other areas (best ways of achieving democratisation and decentralisation, how artificial boundaries can be overcome) is also going to be necessary, but I do believe that such research has to base itself on an appreciation of, as Xxxx says, ‘what people have and have had for ages’, or, to use the words of Wa Thiong’o (2005: 164): ‘only through the use of African languages shall we be able to break with European memory’. Throughout this work, I have pointed to the need for more research. In the area of culture, I have given a ‘proof of concept’, showing the potential of cross-cultural psychology. However, better questions and a better way of covering ethnolinguistic groups would be needed in order to get more reliable results. I pointed to the work done by Xxxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx (2001), who explored the possibility of finding additional dimensions from the study of Africa – follow-up work would be useful. It is clear that the frequent assumption taken in development research that linguistic diversity can be taken as a proxy for cultural diversity deserves to be questioned – it can no longer be taken at face value, because situations as described for Belgium by Xxxxxxxx may be much more common in Africa than in Europe and furthermore, th...
THE WAY FORWARD. It is imperative for India to not only have strong rules of origin provision under the CEPA but also it must enforce them. To get duty-free access to the Indian market under the CEPA, the required value addition in the UAE has been kept at 40 percent, which is significantly higher than other FTAs where value addition requirement is generally 30-35 percent. The CEPA would also have an effective enforcement mechanism in place. This will reduce the excessive surge in imports. To enhance the utilization of CEPA it is also important to ensure that the cost of compliance remains at the minimum level. Exploring Other Trade OpportunitiesIn Future: The success of India-UAE CEPA will also provide much-needed insight and confidence to India to have other similar FTAs with other countries having a potential market for the Indian Goods and Services. The Government of India has prioritized at least six countries to engage with under the new FTA policy, with the UAE at the top of the list for an early harvest deal. The United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, Canada, Israel, and a group of Gulf Cooperation Council countries are the others (GCC). In due future, the early harvest agreement will be expanded into a comprehensive FTA. THE CONCLUSION: The CEPA brings the two nations closer, will open many new opportunities for Indians to work in UAE, including in fintech, tech, green tech, automation, and Artificial Intelligence. Technology, digital trade, and sustainability have a big focus in the partnership. The CEPA will not only improve the competitiveness of Indian products but also provide strategic advantages to India. Both countries will identify clear areas of focus and establish ways of working together to resolve trade remedy cases as envisaged in the MoU signed in January 2017. BACK TO BASICS INDIA-UAE RELATIONS IN THE RECENT PAST The UAE is the eighth-largest investor in India: The UAE has invested $11 billion between April 2000 and March 2021. Investment by Indian companies in the UAE is estimated to be over $85 billion The UAE is India’s second-largest export destination after the US, with exports valued at approximately $29 billion in FY20. India was the UAE’s second-largest trading partner in 2019, with bilateral non-oil trade valued at $41 billion The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner with bilateral trade in FY20 valued at $59 billion. Indian Diaspora in UAE: Indian expatriate community of approx. 3.5 million (as per International ...
THE WAY FORWARD. 9.1 The Public Accounts Committee based this review on the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Appendix 1). The Committee is pleased that the Chief Minister has responded favourable to these stating:- “Maybe I should make it clear that I accept all the C&AG’s recommendations and intend to implement them.” 39
THE WAY FORWARD. Strategies To drive the changes necessary to reach these ambitious targets, the Northern Territory Government, through the Department of Education and Training, is implementing a range of initiatives, including: ▪ the Mandatory Youth Participation Requirement, which will mean that from 1 January 2010 young people must participate in schooling until they complete Year 10, following which they will need to participate full‐time in education, training and/or employment until they turn 17; ▪ a Compact with Young Territorians which provides 15 – 24 year olds with an entitlement to an education or training place for a government subsidised qualification, subject to admission requirements and course availability; ▪ the new Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET), which will ensure that all students achieve sound levels of literacy and numeracy, are provided with clear, flexible pathways to university, further training or work and that both academic and vocational pathways and outcomes are equally valued; ▪ expanded access to high quality, job‐aligned VET in Schools programs in all senior secondary schools, that deliver real qualifications and make students work‐ready. This will be critical if the needs and aspirations of young people are to be met and if we are to be successful in significantly increasing retention rates. This initiative will: ➢ confirm the role of schools as deliverers of in‐house training, providers of VET to other schools and purchasers of services from external Registered Training Organisations; ➢ align the focus of new Trade Training Centres to industry and employer need; ➢ increase the number of school‐based apprenticeships and traineeships; and ➢ facilitate more students to complete Certificate II and/or III and get a NTCET; ▪ the creation of Centres of Excellence in Maths/Science, Engineering, and Tourism and Hospitality Industries within existing senior secondary colleges to provide opportunities for students who meet the entry criteria to gain access to innovative programs, industry experience and fast‐tracked university entrance; ▪ improved access to South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) approved academic and VET courses, using virtual schooling to deliver real time quality learning for school‐based senior secondary students who do not have these courses available in their home school; ▪ expanded access to Clontarf academy programs across more schools and communities for a wider range of students inc...
THE WAY FORWARD. For forty years of operations, BOAD has acquired extensive experience, a know-how and a sound expertise in funding and implementing both national and regional investment projects. The Bank provides an added value to the development drive of the WAEMU member countries. Today, it is considered as a regional development instrument. Mindful of the huge challenges to be taken up in future by its member countries, the Bank has formulated a new strategy in order to cope. In this connection, the long-term vision of the institution is: “BOAD: a solid development bank for economic integration and transformation in West Africa.“ Such a vision provides an indication of the Bank’s mission relevant to the current economic context of the sub-region. In conformity with the stated mission and vision, the strategic directions of the 2015-2019 strategic plan are as follows :
THE WAY FORWARD key requirements Acquisition In order to achieve the provision of affordable housing to meet identified needs, it is expected that developers will transfer the required proportion of affordable housing to the nominated RSL at a cost which reflects the supportable deficit that the RSL can reasonably fund in order to provide that mix of affordable housing at nil public subsidy. Both local authority partners will seek to ensure the negotiation of seamless integration of the affordable housing into the overall urban design of the developments to avoid the creation of ghettos of social housing. Arrangements for selling-on into management GHA will lead the production of a CTHMP Consortium Agreement with the other RSL partners. This Agreement will cover the terms under which properties will be sold by GHA to the subsidiary RSL partners on completion. Rent commitment Initial letting rents on new developments will be set in line with target rents as defined by the Housing Corporation’s Rent Restructuring Regime. Service charges To ensure that the overall affordability of dwellings is not compromised by high levels of service charges, where appropriate, developers will be required to ensure that the initial level of service charge/ground rent and provision for increases is controlled. This will be done through provisions in a Section106 agreement. Low cost sale commitment Low cost home ownership will be provided in line with local affordability levels as defined by the Councils through regularly updated housing needs surveys. Proposed sites The sites covered by this agreement will be those listed in Appendix 1, plus any variations agreed by the Partnership from time to time.
