International Trade in Services.pdf - DSpace at Khazar University

334 International Trade in Services
provides services to government agencies and the private sector in China, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand (ISI Emerging Markets 2008a). Without
publicly available and timely procurement information, environmental firms,
particularly smaller ones, will face a greater challenge organizing for the procurement
process. Ensuring the integrity and transparency of procurement processes
is a challenge in many economies.
Electronic communications can support the integrity and transparency of
public procurement processes. Publicizing the terms of procurements, the procedural
processes, and the timelines can open the process. Audit and enforcement
can provide integrity. Eliminating the bribes, political contributions, facilitation
payments, gifts, hospitality, and expense accounts that influence procurement
awards will lower the costs faced by environmental firms participating in the market.
Correcting distorted administrative practices requires political commitment,
possibly legislation, and enforcement capability. Initiatives to counter corruption
that effectively address the public sector and the private sector can therefore
reduce distortions in the environmental service marketplace.
Using standards and market-based instruments to strengthen
the environmental service industry
In several environmental infrastructure and noninfrastructure services, standards
that specify result requirements (for example, requirements on service quality,
reliability, and continuity) or input requirements (for example, requirements
related to the materials or procedures that the operators must use) are necessary
to deal with negative externalities. For example, in infrastructure, environmental
service standards play an important role in ensuring the access of the poor to
water. Also, standards can prevent the contamination of underground water or
the degradation of natural resources because of the otherwise inadequate disposal
of untreated wastewater, or they can prevent the appearance of health issues
related to the illegal discharge or inadequate treatment of waste. In services for
monitoring and controlling the emission of pollutants, standards are important in
preventing negative public health consequences or damage to the environment
because of inadequate air pollution monitoring and control. In other (mainly
noninfrastructure) services, the adoption and enforcement of standards can help
developing countries benefit from trade opportunities. Also, given that the delivery
of such noninfrastructure environmental services typically involves the movement
of skilled labor, the mutual recognition of qualifications and skills becomes
an issue (Geloso Grosso 2007).
International and national standards drive the growth of the environmental
service industry. Which standards are appropriate for strengthening the environmental
service industry and increasing trade opportunities Are such standards