JOB/SERV/CTFS/4  
 
17 March  2023 
(23-1974) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Trade in Financial Services    
 
  
THEMATIC SEMINAR  
FINANCIAL SERVICES: TRADE, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY  
ANNOTATED AGENDA* 
1.  Socio -economic inclusion and accessibility are important issues at the forefront of WTO efforts to 
pursue better trade outcomes for every Member. Given the importance of financial services, both as 
an economic sector in its own right and a key intermediary for economic activity around the world, 
it is important to better understand some of the sector -specific implications of these issues. 
Accordingly, the Committee on Trade in Financial services agree d to hold a thematic seminar to 
discuss the opportunities and challenges with addressing these issues in the unique regulatory 
context of the financial services sector.  
2.  The Committee has a manda te to serve as a forum for technical discussions and examination of 
regulatory developments affecting financial services trade. In line with this mandate, the Committee 
would be a good place to discuss the growing impacts of financial services trade on inc lusivity and 
equality for under -represented groups and on facilitating trade accessibility. Members would stand 
to benefit from deepening the discussion on the financial services aspects of these policy issues.  
3.  An agenda for the seminar, "Financial Servic es: Trade, Inclusion and Accessibility ", is attached 
to this communication. The presentations discussed in the Annex would be made by national 
regulators of interested Members, private sector representatives of banking and insurance services, 
academics and  officials from relevant international organizations.  
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* Agreed to by the Committee on Trade in Financial Services, at its meeting on 10 March 2023.  
 JOB/SERV/CTFS/4  
 
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  ANNEX  
ANNOTATED AGENDA  
1  MORNING – FINANCIAL SERVICES: INCLUSIVITY AND EQUALITY  
Topic :  Socio-economic inclusivity and equality in the context of financial services trade.  
Session 1:   Financial Services Trade and Inclusive Growth  
This session seeks to focus on the rationale and benefits for applying an inclusive perspective in the 
development of financial services trade policy and potential impacts this approach could have o n 
promoting inclusive growth in the financial sector.  
Thematic Question : How can inclusivity and socio -economic perspectives be integrated into 
financial trade policy in order to improve inclusive and sustainable economic development and 
achieve outcomes i n the financial sector that are more beneficial for all?  
For example , do Members have any national experience on how can financial services trade 
become more inclusive and support inclusive growth?  
 
Session 2:   Financial Services Trade  and Women's Economic Empowerment1 
This session seeks to discuss how members can use financial trade services policy to improve the 
capacity and conditions for women , acknowledging their different context, challenges and capabilities 
in countries at diffe rent stages of development to access and fully benefit from the opportunities 
created by trade and investment.  
Thematic Question : How can gender -related policies assist in promoting equality in the specific 
context of financial services trade?  
For example , in what ways can gender -related principles such as non -discrimination between 
men and women or representation of women be applied to financial services trade? What are 
the challenges and opportunities?  
 
 
2  AFTERNOON – FINANCIAL SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY  
Topic :  Accessibility to financial services and the role of financial services technology in 
expanding access to underserved groups.  
Session 3:   Accessibility in Financial Services  
This session seeks to focus on accessibility  in financial services, in particular for developing Members, 
including LDCs, by exploring ongoing financial trade initiatives to increase underserved groups’ 
access to financial services, such as in the area of microfinancing.  
Thematic Question : How can inclusive  trade initiatives or programs support accessibility to 
financial services for underserved groups, in particular for developing Members, including 
LDCS?  
For example , in what ways do policies  of the OECD, World Bank, and the G20, that promote 
inclusivity through financial services, relate to financial trade practices?  
 
 
1 Footnote: this session is intended to be consistent with paragraph 13 of WT/MIN(22)/2  - WT/L/1135, 
including footnote 2.  JOB/SERV/CTFS/4  
 
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  Session 4:   Expanding Access through Financial Technologies  
This session seeks to focus on the role of digital technology and related trade policies in financial 
services and their ability to make financial services more accessible and inclusive for underserved 
groups.  
Thematic Question :  What is the role and impact of digital policies and financial technologies 
on providing accessible and inclusive financial services?  
For example , how can data transfer policies supporting financial inclusion and technologies in 
financial services expand assess to financial services for underserved groups?  
   
 
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