CSI is the leading business organization dedicated to the reduction of barriers to US services exports, and to the development of constructive domestic US policies, including tax policies, that enhance the global competitiveness of its members.
CSI was formed in 1982 to ensure that US trade in services, once considered outside the scope of U.S. trade negotiations, would become a central goal of future trade liberalization initiatives. It played a major role in shaping the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and in the advocacy effort leading to the 1997 WTO Basic Telecommunications and Financial Services Agreements. CSI actively engaged in services negotiations in the WTO, the Free Trade Area of the Americas, and free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore.
CSI's ability to use services trade negotiations to advance the interests of its members is unmatched. CSI leverages its influence through its close relationships with services industry associations and with companies in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
CSI is above all an advocacy organization, aggressively representing the interests of its members in all US and international forums where CSI can advance our members' trade expansion goals. CSI and its members:
- Advise US government agencies such as USTR, Treasury and the Commerce Department through regular briefings and consultations.
- Educate members of Congress and staff on important developments affecting US services trade. Engage key officials in international organizations and other governments to promote positions beneficial to member companies.
- Cooperate with private sector organizations like the European Services Forum, the Japan Services Network, and Hong Kong, Chilean, and Argentine services organizations, to further our objectives.
- Develop a worldwide network of supporters of liberal trade in services, organized through the Global Services Network and the RedServ (Services Business Network of the Americas).
- Organize CSI missions to capitals such as Beijing and Delhi to build support for market liberalization.
- China Working Group
- Financial Leaders Group / Financial Leaders Working Group
- Financial Services Group
- Information Technology, Media, & Telecommunications
- Legal Services Working Group
- Logistics Working Group
- Services Trade & Investment Negotiations
- Tax Working Group
CSI Weekly Bulletin Alert
This newsletter is prepared as a weekly service to CSI members, and includes invitations to CSI events, updates on CSI activities, and alerts on major services issues. For further information, contact John Goyer at (202) 289-7460.
CSI RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION/REDSERV
The CSI Research and Education Foundation (CSIREF) complements the work of the Coalition of Service Industries. The Foundation was established to carry out research and educational projects that strengthen CSI's activities on behalf of its members, and advance the interests of the US generally in the services sector. The first World Services Congress that took place in Atlanta, GA on November 1-3, 1999, was organized by the CSIREF.
GLOBAL SERVICES NETWORK
The Global Services Network (GSN) is an informal, private sector-led, forum which gathers the global services community of businesspeople, government officials, academics, and others who are committed to increased trade and investment in services, and a rules-based, multilateral trading system. GSN participants are dedicated to building global support for liberalization of international services trade through multilateral negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
WORLD SERVICES CONGRESS
The first World Services Congress in Atlanta, Georia in November 1999, provided an unprecedented forum to address critical challenges that impair trade in a broad range of services from finance and health care to engineering and telecommunications. The three-day event brought together 800 of the world's most respected business people, government officials and academics to build support for the liberalization of international trade in services by creating fair and open world markets through dialogue and multinational negotiation.
The second World Services Congress was held in Hong Kong, September 20-21, 2001.
Publications Resulting From the Congress
The first Congress had a strong academic component. It engaged a large number of scholars and policy analysts from many countries in consideration of important issues in international services trade. As a result of the Congress, a number of publications ensued - the most substantial outpouring of serious work on services trade issues to take place. Major publications are listed below:
|
