Mapping the universe of services disciplines in asian ptas

Abstract

In the past decade, there has been a surge in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) around the world. A notable development in this regard has been the trend towards more broad-based or comprehensive PTAs, which go beyond goods to include services, investment, and other "new age" issues such as government procurement, digital trade, and competition policy. There were 118 PTAs featuring provisions on trade and investment in services notified to the WTO as of June 2013, representing 45% of all notified PTAs. Most were between developed and developing countries but a growing number are being conducted between developing countries. Asia has been an important participant in these trends. The region has witnessed an upswing in bilateral, regional, and cross-regional agreements. As of July 2013, 82 FTAs had been concluded in Asia, up from only three in 2000, with another 20 new agreements either under negotiation or proposed, thus clearly putting Asia at the forefront of PTA activity.