Mauritius will join the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) Negotiations, in line with the General Agreement of Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The GATS, an integral part of the WTO, calls upon Member States to progressively liberalise trade in services through successive rounds of negotiations.

Twenty-four countries (comprising Australia, Chile, USA, Japan, and New Zealand), two customs territories, and one economic union – the European Union – have decided to proceed with a plurilateral approach through the negotiation of a Trade in Services Agreement.

On joining the TiSA, Mauritius will offer the same market access conditions to World Trade Organisation Members, as those proposed to the EU in the context of the Economic Partnership Agreement.

GATS

The creation of the GATS was one of the landmark achievements of the Uruguay Round, whose results entered into force in January 1995.

The GATS was inspired by essentially the same objectives as its counterpart in merchandise trade, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), creating a credible and reliable system of international trade rules; ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all participants (principle of non-discrimination); stimulating economic activity through guaranteed policy bindings; and promoting trade and development through progressive liberalisation.

Mauritius has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 2 September 1970.