International Trade in Services.pdf - DSpace at Khazar University

168 International Trade in Services
Licenses, permits, and other official clearances and their trade-distorting
effects on market access and national treatment
1. Which laws and regulations discipline the licensing of distribution services
2. Which authorities issue licenses and permits and monitor compliance
3. Are licenses required for domestic or foreign companies
4. Are foreign service suppliers subject to different registration and licensing
conditions relative to domestic suppliers
5. How does the national application process for licenses, permits, and clearances
compare with the corresponding process in other countries in terms of
the number of administrative steps involved, the average processing time for
applications, and the associated fees and costs Do the steps involve different
ministries, departments, provinces, local authorities, and municipalities
6. Are there significant differences in administrative performance across
national regions or across different types of distribution suppliers If so, why
7. Are there unnecessary steps in the process that could be shortened or eliminated
Are there any particular bottlenecks in the process that can be
addressed Can the number of required documents and signatures be
reduced by centralizing the application process, for example by providing a
one-stop shop facility so as to reduce compliance costs Can the process be
made less expensive, while still safeguarding important policies
8. Is the official decision-making process transparent and does it involve consultation
with other interested parties If not, what can be done to increase
transparency and predictability in the process
9. Are there disproportionately high fees or other charges levied through the
application process
10. Is there any government or independent body to which a decision can be
appealed
11. What types of grants or subsidies are provided to distribution service suppliers
operating in the local market Are such subsidies allocated in an equitable
way or are they tied to specific criteria and, if so, what are the criteria
12. What are the regulations for land and real estate ownership for foreign distribution
companies, including on size limitations, road access, parking areas,
and residential areas Are these regulations different from the regulations
covering local investors What effect do potential differences in these regulations
have on distribution activities
13. Which authorities establish and monitor building codes and product standards
in the distribution sector
14. Which practices are followed by local authorities in carrying out ongoing
inspections of distribution facilities Is this a regular process or a random
process