International Trade in Services.pdf - DSpace at Khazar University

316 International Trade in Services
Table 9.4. A Checklist of Questions on Trade-Related Aspects of Engineering Service
Reform (continued)
Facilitating the temporary movement of engineering professionals
1. What type of restrictions exist on foreign engineers serving in the domestic market
Does the country impose bans, work permit quotas, economic needs tests, or other
impediments to the movement of project staff Are rules different for intracorporate
transferees and contractual service providers
2. Is there implicit or explicit discrimination with regard to the nationality of service
providers How do such restrictions affect competition
3. Is the business visa and work permit application process administered in a reasonably
expedient and cost-effective way Or is it opaque, slow, and cumbersome What can be
done to improve administrative efficiency in the application process Is there scope for
bilateral or regional agreement on this issue
4. Are there issues related to the nonrecognition of qualifications for engineers at home or
in major export markets
5. What are the policy objectives of the restrictions Can the policy rationale be addressed
through other means that are less trade restrictive and more competition friendly
Reviewing other trade-distorting rules and regulations
1. Are there any types of subsidies provided to domestic engineering service firms Are
subsidies allocated in an equal way, or are they tied to specific criteria If they are so
tied, what are the ties
2. Can foreign firms import engineering equipment for projects without the imposition of
major taxes and waiting time at customs Is the country a signatory of the Information
Technology Agreement of the World Trade Organization, which eliminates tariffs on
information technology products
3. Are government contracts advertised in easily accessible media or gazettes Do
government agencies allow sufficient time for the advertisement process Are winning
bids announced to the public Is there a dispute resolution mechanism to resolve issues
in the procurement process
4. Do local authorities offer preference margins to domestic firms If so, what are the
margins and how much do they help raise participation by domestic engineering
service firms If domestic firms already dominate the market, do these preference
margins hamper foreign competition
5. Are there any other barriers inhibiting trade in engineering services that can be
removed, such as restrictive rules on the use of brand names, marketing, advertising,
price setting, hiring practices, and so on
6. Does the country operate treaties that solve issues of double taxation
Integrating local engineering practices with internationally accepted good
engineering standards and practices
1. Is there (a) a professional body for engineers, (b) a national standards board, and (c) an
industry association promoting the interests of engineering firms
2. If so, do these associations have sufficient power or too much power for the good of the
domestic market Are concerns about foreign firms addressed by these associations
What role can these associations play in strengthening the sector
3. To what extent is there a regional dimension in the work agendas of these associations
Source: Authors compilation.