RESTRICTED  
  
S/C/W/434  
 
2 June 2023 
(23-3758) Page: 1/2 
Council for Trade in Services   Original: English  
 
COMMUN ICATION FROM LIECHTENST EIN  
REVIEW OF ARTICLE II (MFN) EXEMPTIONS  
Written answers by Liechtenstein to the questions  
from the Republic of Korea ( S/C/W/431 ) 
The following communication  dated 31 May 2023, from the delegation of  Liechtenstein is being 
circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.  
 
_______________  
 
 
According to the compilation of questions prepared by the WTO Secretariat in the framework of the 
fifth review of MFN exemptions in document ( S/C/W/431 ), the delegation of Liechtenstein has 
received a total number of five questions. Below are the answers provided by the delegation of 
Liechtenstei n to those questions.  
 
1.  Q18: Regarding the MFN exemption measure, "To mutually grant permits of temporary stay and 
permanent residency in the territory of the parties, without certain limitations, to citizens of the 
parties of the agreements on temporary s tay and permanent residency between Liechtenstein and 
Switzerland.", please confirm if the exemption measures pertain to measures affecting natural 
persons seeking access to the employment market, which are carved out by paragraph 2 of Annex 
on Movement of  Natural Persons Supplying Services under the Agreement, irrespective of the period 
of stay. (All sectors)  
Please refer to the answer provided by Switzerland to the identical exemption (question Q30)  
 
2.  Q69: Regarding the MFN exemption measures, "Concessions for the operation of radio or 
television broadcast stations may be granted to persons of countries other than Liechtenstein.", we 
wonder whether these exemptions are based on any international agreements . (Communication 
Services Audiovisual Services)  
3.  Q78: Regarding the reciprocity -based MFN exemption measure, "The right of commercial 
presence and the right of presence of natural persons is dependent on reciprocity for service 
providers from Liechtenstein" , we wonder whether this exemption is based on any international 
agreements. (Construction and Related Engineering Services)  
On Q6 9 and Q78, Liechtenstein confirms that its legislation includes the measures indicated in the 
corresponding exemptions and the refore the circumstances giving rise to the exemption still prevail.  
 
4.  Q79: Regarding the MFN exemption measure, "To grant work permits, without certain 
limitations, to employees of establishment of enterprises of member countries of the Convention 
establis hing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the establishment's activity being 
commerce in goods", please confirm if the exemption measure pertains to measures affecting natural 
persons seeking access to the employment market, which are carved out by paragraph 2  of Annex 
on Movement of Natural Persons Supplying Services under the Agreement, irrespective of the period 
of stay. (Distribution Services)  
Please refer to the answer provided by Switzerland to the identical exemption (question Q80)  S/C/W/434  
 
- 2 - 
 
  5.  Q105 : Regarding the MFN exemption measure under insurance services, "To grant permit for 
establishment to insurance companies from countries other than Liechtenstein only to companies 
which are supervised by the Swiss insurance supervision authority", we wonder whether the 
conditions which created the need for this exemption still prevail and if so, please specify them. 
(Financial Services)  
This condition dates back to the time when Liechtenstein did not yet have its own legislation for 
insurance companies. When joining the European Economic Area (EEA), Liechtenstein introduced 
such legislation. Some elements of the MFN exemption may therefore no longer apply. Liechtenstein 
remains open to possible modifications in the context of a broader revision exercise of MFN  
exemptions by Members.  
 
__________