Date：2025-12-22Views：0
The "Trade in Services for Development" conference, jointly organized by the World Trade Organization and the World Bank, was recently held in Geneva, Switzerland, with the aim of helping developing countries further utilize trade in services to achieve growth and development. During the conference, the toolbox for promoting development through trade in services was further enriched and improved, accelerating the transformation of trade in services from a conceptual initiative to a practical and feasible action framework.
In her opening speech at the conference, WTO Director General Ivira pointed out that the service industry has been the fastest-growing sector in global trade for the past 20 years. The digital revolution has greatly promoted this trend. According to the latest forecast from the World Trade Organization, the global volume of commercial services trade is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2025, far exceeding the growth rate of goods trade. Under this trend, digital services are particularly prominent and have become the most dynamic niche market, with growth rates expected to reach 6.1% and 5.6% in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Nowadays, the service industry has become one of the core driving forces for economic transformation in developing countries, and incorporating the service industry into national development strategies is no longer an option. The service industry is a necessary condition for achieving economic diversification, improving productivity, and enhancing economic development resilience. Nigeria's Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Auduwole, stated at the conference that the service industry accounts for 58% of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nigeria is renowned for its financial, creative, professional services, technical services, and is also a regional and international trade leader in traditional and digital services. Cambodian State Secretary Kamran emphasized the role of trade in services in promoting inclusive economic growth, stating that trade in services accounts for over 40% of Cambodia's GDP and provides nearly 40% of labor employment.
The two tools released at this conference are the diagnostic dial for service trade competitiveness and the handbook for promoting good regulatory practices in service trade. Both can be publicly obtained through the Service Trade for Development platform, aimed at helping developing and emerging economies systematically analyze their service sectors, identify regulatory and supply side bottlenecks, and formulate reforms or policies to better integrate into global service trade. In the field of trade in services, good regulation aims to ensure that domestic regulation does not become an unnecessary obstacle for cross-border service providers. Ivira pointed out at the conference that the complexity of regulatory measures is limiting service trade, and in order to achieve more inclusive growth and build a more resilient society, the regulatory framework for service trade must be strengthened and simplified. In addition, the platform for promoting development through trade in services itself has a toolbox nature. While gathering relevant policy tools, it can also share information on best practices and ongoing work of regional organizations and development banks in helping developing countries promote service exports. The various new policy tools provided by the platform will support the World Trade Organization and the World Bank in better helping developing countries enhance their capabilities.
Ivira pointed out at the conference that the World Trade Organization plays an important role in providing targeted capacity building and technical assistance to help developing countries overcome the challenges they face and better utilize trade in services to promote growth. Ivira calls for strengthened collaboration among WTO members and partner organizations to enhance capacity building and expand the impact of new tools. Meanwhile, Ivira also encourages members from developing countries to actively participate in this initiative.
