Global Services Network Alert GLOBAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES SUPPORT AMBITIOUS SERVICES TEXT    BROAD COALITION OPPOSES WEAKENING EXISTING TEXT   For immediate release                                                               December 16, 2005    Global services industries and a broad coalition of businesses today expressed their deep concern about the proposal by the G-90 group of countries to weaken the mandate for further services trade negotiations in the context of the Doha Development Agenda, and instead called for a strengthening of the existing text.    “The purpose of the G-90 submission is difficult to understand.” the group said.  “The service sector accounts for more than half of global economic output, and provides the essential infrastructure for economic growth.  Services trade liberalization is inherently pro-development, and will bolster economic growth, living standards and jobs in developing countries.  The G-90 submission would water down the services text, and undermine development objectives.”      The Doha Round is about development, but the proposal will grievously weaken the potential for the Round to contribute to lifting global economic growth.  Developing countries will benefit from more open markets for services, both as exporters and importers of services on which their economic growth depends.   Trade ministers working here in Hong Kong should embrace these gains by providing their negotiators an ambitious mandate, rather than seeking to weaken the road map for market access negotiations.  Developing countries stand to lose the most if the services negotiating mandate is weakened.      American Business Coalition for Doha Association of British Insurers Australian Services Roundtable Bankers’ Association for Finance & Trade Business Roundtable Chinese National Federation of Industries Coalition of Service Industries Emergency Committee for American Trade European Services Forum Express Delivery and Logistics Association Financial Leaders Group Global Services Coalition Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries Information Technology Industry Council International Capital Market Association Japan Services Network National Foreign Trade Council Securities Industry Association The Canadian Chamber of Commerce The Global Express Association UNICE – The Voice of Business in Europe US Council on International Business