Do GATS commitments affect a Members ability to pursue national policy objectives and priorities?
A.6 The GATS recognises the right of Members to regulate the supply of services in pursuit of their own national policy objectives. However, the GATS establishes a framework of rules to ensure that Members administer their services regulations in a manner which is reasonable, objective and impartial and does not constitute unnecessary barriers to trade. For example, a Member can decide upon the licensing conditions for grant of a Telecom license for Fixed/Mobile Services in accordance with the Commitments taken on Basic Telecommunication Services. Or a Member can decide the criteria for granting the right to practice the profession of Chartered Accountancy. The Doha Ministerial Declaration reaffirms the right of members to regulate and to introduce new regulation on the supply of services. Q.7 What are the general obligations under the GATS? A.7 Obligations contained in the GATS may be categorised into two groups: • General obligations which apply directly and automatically to all Memb
