Regional Trade Agreements Breaking Down Barriers for Inclusive Economic Growth.
The study shows that recent trade agreements are reducing restrictions on services trade, with some agreements going further than others in opening up markets. These agreements are eliminating a significant portion of restrictions present in the multilateral regime. By comparing these agreements to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), it was found that they are removing a large amount of limitations set by the GATS. However, having low levels of restrictions does not always mean high levels of openness. Overall, reforms and liberalization in services trade at both national and collective levels are crucial for promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.