🌐 Reducing Barriers in Global Services Trade: A $1 Trillion Opportunity 💼📉

The latest OECD - OCDE Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI) reveals that while some progress is being made, regulatory and market access barriers continue to hinder fair and efficient trade in services.

🔍 Despite services accounting for over $5 trillion in exports from OECD members, restrictions remain high — especially in digital services and foreign investment screening.

📊 Key highlights from the 2024 STRI:

Japan, UK, and the Netherlands are leading with the most open markets. Portugal, Greece, and India stand out as top reformers — opening up professions and removing monopolies.

Digital trade barriers are rising, with cross-border data flows facing increased scrutiny.

Ambitious reforms could unlock up to $1 trillion in trade cost savings, boosting productivity and supporting sustainable growth.

🌱 Services trade isn’t just about economics — it’s central to digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development. This is a call to action for governments, businesses, and multilateral institutions to collaborate on revitalizing services trade negotiations. The benefits — economic, social, and environmental — are too significant to ignore.

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