WT/REG386/1  
15 January 2019  
(19-0215) Page: 1/64 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements    
 
FACTUAL PRESENTATION  
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT  BETWEEN GEORGIA AND THE EFTA STATE S 
(GOODS AND SERVICES ) 
Report by the Secretariat  
This report, prepared for the consideration of the Free Trade Agreement  between 
Georgia and the EFTA State s, has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own 
responsibility and in full consultation with the Parties. The factual presentation 
reproduces as closely as possible the terminology used in the Agreem ent and in the 
comments provided and does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the 
Secretariat of such terminology. The report has been drawn up in accordance with the 
rules and procedures contained in the Decision for a Transparency Mechanism f or 
Regional Trade Agreements (WT/L/671) and thus does not imply any value judgement 
by the Secretariat regarding the contents of the Agreement.  
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Jean-Daniel Rey  
(tel: +41 22 739 52 64 ). Any statistical questions arising from this report may be 
addressed to Thakur Parajuli (tel: +41 22 739 54 73 ). 
 
 
  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS  
                                                                                                                                       Page   
1   TRADE ENVIRONMEN T ................................ ................................ ................................  4 
1.1   Merchandise trade  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
1.2   Trade in services and investment  ................................ ................................ .................  6 
2   CHARACTERISTIC E LEMENTS OF THE AGREE MENT  ................................ .....................  8 
2.1   Background Information  ................................ ................................ ..............................  8 
2.2   Structure of the Agreement  ................................ ................................ .........................  9 
3   PROVISIONS ON TR ADE IN GOODS  ................................ ................................ ..........  10 
3.1   Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions ................................ ................  10 
3.1.1    General provisions  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 10 
3.1.2    Liberalization of trade and tariff lines  ................................ ................................ ....... 10 
3.1.3    Liberalization schedule  ................................ ................................ ...........................  10 
3.1.4    Tariff rate quotas  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 21 
3.2   Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  21 
3.3   Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  ................................ ................  23 
3.4   Regulatory provisions on trade in goods  ................................ ................................ ...... 23 
3.4.1    Standards  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  23 
3.4.2    Safeguar d mechanisms  ................................ ................................ ..........................  24 
3.4.3    Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  ................................ ...............................  25 
3.4.4    Subsidies and State -aid ................................ ................................ ..........................  25 
3.4.5    Customs -related procedures ................................ ................................ ....................  25 
3.4.6    Other regulations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 26 
3.5   Sector -specific provisions on trade in goods  ................................ ................................ . 26 
3.5.1    Agricultural goods  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 26 
3.5.2    Processed agricultural products  ................................ ................................ ...............  26 
4   PROVISIONS ON TR ADE IN SERVICES AND INVESTMENT  ................................ ........  27 
4.1   Scope an d definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................  27 
4.2   Denial of benefits  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 27 
4.3   General provisions on trade in services  ................................ ................................ ....... 27 
4.3.1    Market access  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 27 
4.3.2    National treatment and MFN  ................................ ................................ ....................  27 
4.3.3    Commercial (local) presence  ................................ ................................ ...................  28 
4.3.4    Movement of natural persons  ................................ ................................ ..................  28 
4.4   Liberalization commitments  ................................ ................................ .......................  29 
4.4.1    Iceland  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  29 
4.4.2    Liechtenstein  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  32 
4.4.3    Norway ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  35 
4.4.4    Switzerland  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  37 
4.4.5    Georgia  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  40 
4.5   Regulatory provisions  ................................ ................................ ................................  43 WT/REG386/1  
 
- 3 - 
 
  4.5.1    Domestic regulation  ................................ ................................ ...............................  43 
4.5.2    Recognition  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  43 
4.5.3    Subsidies  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  44 
4.5.4    Safeguards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  44 
4.5.5    Other  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  44 
4.6   Sector specific provisions on trade in services  ................................ ..............................  44 
4.6.1    Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 44 
4.6.2    Telecommunications services  ................................ ................................ ..................  45 
4.6.3    Maritime transport and related services  ................................ ................................ .... 45 
4.6.4    Energy related services  ................................ ................................ ..........................  45 
4.7   Investment  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  46 
5   GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AG REEMENT  ................................ ............................  47 
5.1   Transparency  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  47 
5.2   Current payments and capital movements  ................................ ................................ ... 47 
5.3   Exceptions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  48 
5.3.1    General exception  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 48 
5.3.2    Security exception  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 48 
5.4   Accession and Withdrawal ................................ ................................ ..........................  48 
5.5   Institutional framework  ................................ ................................ .............................  48 
5.6   Dispute settlement  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 48 
5.7   Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties  ................................ .........  49 
5.8   Government procurement  ................................ ................................ ..........................  51 
5.9   Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ........................  52 
5.10   Other  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  53 
5.10.1    Competi tion ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  53 
5.10.2    Sustainable development, environment and labour ................................ ...................  53 
ANNEX 1  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  54 
 
  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 4 - 
 
   
 
Key Facts  
 
Parties to the Agreement:  Georgia and the EFTA State s (Iceland, 
Liechtenstein, Norway  and Switzerland)  
 
Date of Signature:   27 June 2016  
 
Date of Entry into Force:  1 September 2017 (Georgia with Iceland 
and Norway ) 
 
1 May 2018 (Liechtenstein and 
Switzerland with Georgia ) 
 
Date of Notification:  29 August 2017  (addendum on 25  April 
2018)  
 
Full implementation :  1 May 2023 
 
 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT  
1.1.  The Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA State s (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and 
Switzerland), and Georgia , hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement" is one of EFTA's 27  RTAs1 and 
Georgia's 12 RTAs.2 
1.1  Merchandise trade  
1.2.  With a combined GDP of US$1, 050 b illion, in 2016 , the EFTA State s' total merchandise trade 
was valued at US$ 743.3  billion (exports at US$ 396.6  billion and imports at US$ 346.7  billion); 
Georgia 's total trade in the same year was US$ 9.4 billion (exports at US$ 2.1 billion and imports 
US$7.3 billion), with a GDP of US$ 14.2 billion . The trade to GDP ratios (2014 -2016) of the Parties 
were 48.4 for Iceland; 34 for Norway; 58.3 for Switzerland (including data on Lie chtenstein for trade 
in goods);  and 52.3 for Georgia .3 
1.3.  Charts 1.1 and 1.2  summariz e the trends in global trade of the parties as well as bilateral trade 
relations between the EFTA State s and Georgia . 
                                                
1 RTAs on trade in goods and/or services notified separately to the WTO counted as one, and including 
the EFTA Convention establishing the EFTA. In addition to the 26 RTAs concluded under the EFTA platform, 
individually, Iceland has 3 bilateral RTAs; Liechtenstein has 1  bilateral FTA (with Switzerland) and is also 
covered (for the trade in goods part) by the 4 bilateral RTAs concluded by Switzerland; and Norway h as 2 
RTAs. Additionally, the EEA with the EU ( notified to the WTO with respect to its  services  part) involves all EFTA 
States  but Switzerla nd. Source: RTA Information System (WTO Database on RTAs), at 
http://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicMaintainRTAHome.aspx  (viewed on 26 November 2018).  
2 RTAs on trade in goods and/or services notified separately to the WTO counted as one, and including 
the CIS Agreement as well as the RTAs concluded by Georgia wi th individual past and present CIS Member 
States . Source: RTA Information System (WTO Database on RTAs), at 
http://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicMaintainRTAHome.aspx  (viewed on 26 November 2018).  
3 Figures in this section , except with respect to bilateral trade and  unless indicated otherwise , are from 
the WTO Trade Profiles as of August 2018 (2016  data). Export figures are calculated f.o.b. and imports c.i.f. 
World trade rankings exclude intra -EU trade. No specific profile is available for trade in goods from and into 
Liechtenstein. However, data corresponding to Switzerland includes trade in goods  for Liechtenstein as a result 
of the customs union i n place between the two Parties.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 5 - 
 
  1.4.  In 20174, Georgia  was the 78th largest export market for the EFTA State s as a whole , and the ir 
83rd largest source of imports .5 The EFTA States were Georgia's 11th largest export destination 
(2.66%) and the  17th largest source of its imports (0.84%) .6 
1.5.  Chart 1.1 shows that a trade surplus was main tained with the world over the period 2001 -2017 
by EFTA globally while Georgia  experienced  a global trade deficit. Statistics from UNSD Comtrade 
show some discrepancies with respect to the magnitude of bilateral trade between EFTA and Georgia. 
Reported data nevertheless shows a trade surplus for EFTA State s (as one partner) with regard to 
Georgia,  with an apparent reversal at the end of the period . A steady increase in global trade was 
observed for most of the period  for both Parties , with however a dip in 2009 due to the financial 
crisis and a similar slowdown in trade performance between 2013 and  2015.  
Chart 1.1 EFTA – Georgia : Merchandise trade bilat erally and with world, 2001 -2017  
 
Source:  UNSD Comtrade database.  
 
1.6.  The commodity struc ture of trade between the EFTA State s and Georgia , as well as of  their 
global trade in the period 2015 -2017, is shown in Chart 1.2 on the basis of Harmonized System (HS) 
sections. EFTA's largest import s from Georgia by far were gold for non -monetary purposes and other 
precious metals  (86.7% of EFTA's imports from Georg ia). This category also represents EFTA's main 
import s globally (26.5% of EFTA's global imports), and Georgia's 8th largest export sector 
(representing 3.4% of its total exports to the world). Georgia's main three imports categories from 
EFTA were chemical  products (27.9% of Georgia's imports from EFTA State s), fish products  (22%), 
and machinery (12.2%). These sectors represented Georgia's 3rd largest (11.1% of Georgia's global 
imports); 11th largest (2.8%), and 2nd largest (17.3%) global imports.  The same three sectors 
represented EFTA's largest, (24.1% of EFTA's global exports), 7th largest (3.2%) and 4th largest 
(10.8%) exports to the world.  
                                                
4 For bilateral t rade, figures reported by the Parties to UNSD, Comtrade database are used  (2017  data).  
5 The five top destination s for exports from the EFTA States  combined were: the EU( 28) (54.5%); the 
US (10.3%); China (6.6%); India (5%); and Hong Kong, China (4%). Their five top sources of imports were: 
the EU28 (58.9%); the US (7.7%); China (6.2%); the EA EU (2.8%), and Hong Kong, China (2.7).  
6 The five top destinations for Georgia's exports were: the EU(28) (23.7%); the Russian Federation 
(14.5%); Azerbaijan (10%); Turkey (7.9%; and Armenia (7.7%). Their five top sources of Georgia's imports 
were: the EU(28) (27.5%); Turkey (17.2%); the Russian Federation (9.9%); China (9.2%); and Aze rbaijan 
(7.7%).  
0.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.090.10
012345678910
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017B. Georgia 2001 -2017
(US$ billions)
Imports from EFTA (Right Axis)
Exports to EFTA (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total Exports
0.000.010.020.030.040.050.060.070.080.090.10
01002003004005006007008009001,000
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017A. EFTA 2001 -2017 
(US$ billions)
Imports from Georgia (Right Axis)
Export to Georgia (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total ExportsWT/REG386/1  
 
- 6 - 
 
  Chart 1.2 EFTA - Georgia : product composition of merchandise trade, annual average 
(2015 -2017)  
 
Source:  UNSD Com trade database.  
1.2  Trade in services and investment7 
1.7.  In 2016 , EFTA State s' shares of total commercial services exports were, respectively, 0.11% 
(Iceland); 0. 76% (Norway); and 2.34% (Switzerland), and 0.07% (Iceland); Norway (1 %); and 
2.02% (Switzerland) of total imports. Georgia 's shares represented respectively 0.07% and 0.04% 
of world exports and imports. Among the EFTA State s, with total cumulated commercial services 
exports of US$ 1,090  billion, and imports of US$ 1.833  billion, Switzerl and was the world's 7th largest 
exporter and 9th largest importer, while Norway ranked 1 8th largest exporter and 17th largest 
importer, and Iceland was the 48th largest exporter and 59th largest importer. In comparison, 
Georgia  ranked 60th largest exporter  and 89th larges t importer (with exports of US$3.2  billion and 
imports of US$ 1.7 billion).  
1.8.  Charts 1.3 and 1.4  below shows the breakdown of global trade in commercial services for the 
EFTA State s and for Georgia . Transportation was one of the main export s and import s for all Parties 
with travel also playing an important role particularly with regard to Georgia's exports to the world . 
                                                
7 Figures in this section unless indicated otherwise are from the WTO Trade Profiles as of August 2018 
(2016  data). No specific profile is available for Liechtenstein and data corresponding to Switzerland does not 
include trade in services for Liechtenstein.  
87625EFTA's imports from Georgia (%)
26
15
14106443333225EFTA's Global Imports (%)
24
23
15111053227EFTA's Global Exports (%)
28
22
12129532224Georgia's imports from EFTA (%)
20
17
11
97754433226Georgia's Global Imports (%)
19
17
14 12109433324Georgia's Global Exports (%)Total: US$ 0.04 billion Total: US$ 347.76 billion
Total: US$ 7.65 billion Total: US$ 2.35 billionTotal:  US$ 402.13 billion
Total: US$ 0.07 billion
WT/REG386/1  
 
- 7 - 
 
  The category "other business services" also represents a very large portion of EFTA's imports from 
the world.  
Chart 1.3 EFTA:  Trade in commercial services with world, 2013 -2017  
 
Note:  
Iceland:  No import data recorded for the category "Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by 
others" (2013 -2017) and no export data recorded for the category " Manufacturing services on p hysical inputs 
owned by others " (2017) . 
Norway:  No import and export data recorded for the category "Manufacturing services on physical inputs 
owned by others" (2013 -2017) . 
Data for 2017  estimated by the  WTO Secretariat . 
Source:  WTO Statistics database based on BPM6 . 
Chart 1.4 Georgia : Trade in commercial services with world, 2013 -2017  
 
Source:  WTO Statistics database based on BPM6.  
1.9.  Charts 1.5 and 1.6 below depict the Parties' FDI stocks and flows globally (for the period 2013 -
2017). While the EFTA States are, taken as a whole as well as individually, in surplus  with the world 
both in terms of stocks and flows, with an inversion of the trend with respect to flows only for the 
end of the considered period, Georgia  is consistently a  net recipient of FDI gl obally.  
020406080100120140160180
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017A. EFTA imports from world 
2013 -2017
(US$ Billion)
020406080100120140160180
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017B. EFTA exports to world
2013 -2017
(US$ Billion)
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.5
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017A.Georgia imports from world 
2013 -2017
(US$ Billion)
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.5
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017BillionsB. Georgia exports to world
2013 -2017
(US$ Billion)
WT/REG386/1  
 
- 8 - 
 
  Chart 1.5  EFTA : FDI stock and flow with world, 2013 -2017  
 
Source:  UNCTAD.  
Chart 1.6  Georgia : FDI stock and flow with world , 2013 -2017  
 
Source:  UNCTAD.  
 
2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEME NTS OF THE AGREEMENT  
2.1  Background Information  
2.1.  The Agreement was negotiated in the context of and as a follow -up to a Joint Declaration on 
cooperation signed in 2012 .8 The Agreement was signed on 27 June 2016 . It was initially notified to 
the WTO under Article  XXIV:7(a) of the GATT 1994 and Article V:7(a) of the GATS on 29 August 
2017.9 An addendum to the notification was made on 25 April 2018 .10 The Agreement entered into 
force between  Georgia and  Iceland and Norway on 1 September 2017, and on 1 May 2018 between 
Georgia and  Liechtenstein and Switzerland . The text of the Agreement is available, together with its 
Annexes, on t he following website:  
EFTA:  http://www.efta.int/free -trade/free -trade-agreements/georgia  
 
                                                
8 For more information, see the text of the Joint Declaration available at 
http://www.efta.int /media/documents/legal -texts/free -trade-relations/georgia/efta -georgia -joint-declaration -
on-cooperation.pdf . 
9 WTO documents WT/REG386/N/1 and S/C/N/891.  
10 in connection with the entry into force of the Agreement fo r Liechtenstein and Switzerland (WTO 
documents WT/REG386/N/2 and S/C/N/891/Add.1).  
02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,600
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017EFTA FDI stock with world
2013 -2017 (US$ Billion ) 
Inward Outward
-40-20020406080100120140
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017EFTA FDI flow with world
2013 -2017 (US$ Billion) 
Inward
Outward
02468101214161820
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017Georgia FDI stock with world
2013 -2017 (US$ Billion ) 
Inward Outward
0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.82.0
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017Georgia FDI flow with world
2013 -2017 (US$ Billion) 
Inward OutwardWT/REG386/1  
 
- 9 - 
 
  2.2  Structure of the Agreement  
2.2.  The Agreement i s composed of 13 Chapters and 16  Annexes as follows:  
Box 2.1 Structure of the Agreement  
Preamble  
Chapter 1  General provisions  
Chapter 2  Trade in non -agricultural products  
Chapter 3  Trade in agricultural product s 
Chapter 4  Sanitary phytosanitary measures  
Chapter 5  Trade in services  
Chapter 6  Establishment  
Chapter 7  Protection of intellectual property  
Chapter 8  Government procurement  
Chapter 9  Competition  
Chapter 10  Trade and sustainable development  
Chapter 11  Institutional provisions  
Chapter 12  Dispute settlement  
Chapter 13  Final provisions  
Annexes   
Annex I  Product coverage of non -agricultural products  
Annex II  Rules of origin and methods of administrative cooperation  
Annex III  Trade facilitat ion 
Annex IV  Mandate of the Sub -Committee on trade in goods  
Annex V  Schedule for tariff commitments on agricultural products (Iceland and 
Georgia)  
Annex VI  Schedule for tariff commitments on agricultural products (Norway and 
Georgia)  
Annex VII  Schedule  for tariff commitments on agricultural products (Switzerland and 
Georgia)  
Annex VIII  Schedule of specific commitments  
Annex IX  List of MFN exemptions  
Annex X  Financial services  
Annex XI  Telecommunication services  
Annex XII  Maritime transport and related services  
Annex XIII  Energy related services  
Annex XIV  Reservations  
Annex XV  Protection of intellectu al property  
Annex XVI  Government procurement  
Source:  Secretariat, based on the Agreement.  
 WT/REG386/1  
 
- 10 - 
 
  2.3.  The Agreement establishes a free trade area between, on one side, the individual EFTA State s 
(Iceland, Liechtenstein11, Norway12 and Switzerland) and, on the other, Georgia  (Article  1.1). It does 
not apply to trade relations between individual EFTA State s unless otherwise provided (Article  1.3, 
paragraph 1 ).  
3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS  
3.1.  Chapter 2 contains provisions specific to trade in non -agricultural products13 while Chapter 3 
governs trade in agricultural products .14 The provisions of Chapter 2 that do not also apply to trade 
in agricultural products refer to the immediate elimination of all customs duties (Article 2.3); the 
establishment and mandate of the Sub -Committee on Trade in Goods (Article 2.11); and the 
discip lines governing subsides and countervailing measures (Article 2.13).  
3.2.  A Sub -Committee on Trade in Goods, whose  mandate is contained in Annex IV to the 
Agreement, is established in Article 2.11. 
3.1  Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  
3.1.1   Genera l provisions  
3.3.  The general elimination of all import prohibitions or restriction s on trade in goods between the 
Parties, other than customs duties and taxes or other charges, whether made effective through 
quotas, import licences or other measures, as contai ned in Paragraph 1 of Article XI of the GATT 
1994, applies and is incorporated into and made part of the Agreement (Article 2.6) . This principle 
is also applicable to trade in agricultural products (Article 3.3).   
3.4.  Article VIII of the GATT 1994 on fees and formalities is incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement (Article 2.7). In addition,  and to complement the disciplines of the GATT 1994, Annex III 
to the Agreement (on trade facilitation) provides for complementary  rules with respect to fees and 
charges. These cover , for example, methods of calculation of publication requirements related to 
fees and charges.  
3.5.  The Parties also commit to apply national treatme nt for all covered products in relation to 
internal taxation  and regulations, in accordance with Article III of the GATT 1994, which is 
incorporated into and made part of the Agreement, mutatis mutandis  (Articles 2.8 and 3.3 ).  
3.1.2   Liberalization of trade and tariff lines  
3.6.  Upon the entry into force of the Agreement and only for trade in non -agricultural products 
(Article 2.3), the Parties abolish all customs duties and charges having equivalent effect to customs 
duties on imports of products originating in a nother  Party. No new customs duties and charges 
having equivalen t effect to custo ms duties shall be introduced. With respect to trade in agricultural 
products, the Parties'  concessions are contained in  Annexes V to VII to the Agreement.  
3.1.3   Liberalization schedule  
3.7.  With respect to trade in non -agricultural products between  the Parties, the principle of 
immediate and unconditional elimination of tariffs applies, while in relation to trade in agricultural 
                                                
11 As a result of the Customs Treaty of 29 March 1923 between Switzerland and Liechtenstein, 
Switzerland represent s Liechtenstein in matters covered thereby (Article  1.3, paragraph 2).  
12 The Agreement does not apply  to the Norwegian territory of Svalbard, with the exception of trade in 
goods.  
13 Non-agricultural products essentially consist of products covered in HS Chapters 25 to 97, with some 
exceptions, and some, but not all, fish and other marine products in HS Ch apters 2 and 3, and as defined in 
Annex I to the Agreement.  
14 The definition of "agricultural products" is different in the Agreement as compared to the WTO. In 
particular, some fish products that are not considered to be "agricultural products" under the WTO, are 
considered to be "agricultural products" under the Agreement.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 11 - 
 
  products, the Parties' schedules of tariff commitments are contained in the Agreement's Annexes V 
(Iceland and Georgia), V I (Norway and Georgia), and VII (Switzerland15 and Georgia).  
3.1.3.1   EFTA State s 
3.8.  For non -agricultural products, each EFTA State  commits to abolish, upon entry into force of the 
Agreement, all customs duties and charges having equivalent effect on imports of product s 
originating in Georgia (Article 2.3).  
3.9.  With respect to trade in agricultural products, each EFTA State  grants tariff concessions to 
agricultural products originating in Georgia as specified in Sections I of, respectively, Annexes V to 
VII to the Agreemen t. Specific provisions additionally apply to products identified as "processed 
agricultural products" (PAP ) (see Section 3.5.2 below) . Moreover, individual EFTA State s also make 
specific commitments in the form of tariff rate quotas (TRQs) with respect to some agricultural 
products originating in Georgia (see Section 3.1.4 below) . 
3.1.3.1.1   Iceland  
3.10.   Iceland's applied tariff in 2017 consisted of 8,588  lines at the HS eight -digit level (HS  2012), 
94.74 % of which were ad valorem  and 452 were compos ed of either specific d uties (57  lines) or 
compound duties (395  lines).  
3.11.   Table 3.1 shows tariff elimination commitments by Iceland with respect to Georgia . Before 
the entr y into force of the Agreement, 6,350  lines were duty free, representing 73.9 % of Iceland's 
tariff, correspon ding to 95.6% of its imports from Georgia  during 2014 -2016. At the entry into force 
of the Agreement  (in 2017) , an additional 1,719  lines ( 20% of the tariff) became duty -free for 
imports from Georgia . As a result, 98.6% of Iceland's tariff was duty free for imports from Georgia , 
corresponding to 98.6 % of imports by value from Georgia . 519 tariff lines (corresponding to 6% of 
Iceland's tariff) remain dutiable as Iceland implemented its tariff elimination commitments 
imme diately at the entry into force of the Agreement. The se tariff lines represented 1.4% of Iceland's 
imports from Georgia  in 2014 -16.  
Table 3.1 Iceland  
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and cor responding average trade  
Duty phase -
out period  Number of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Iceland's 
tariff 
schedule  Value of Iceland's 
imports from 
Georgia  
(2014 -2016)  
in million US$  % of Iceland's total 
imports from  
Georgia  
(2014 -2016)  
2017 (MFN)  6,350  73.9 0.1 95.6 
2017 1,719  20.0 0.0 3.0 
Remain dutiable  519 6.0 0.0 1.4 
Total  8,588  100.0  0.1 100.0  
Note:   Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:   WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Iceland.  
 
3.12.   Table 3.2 shows Iceland's tariff elimination, by HS section with regard to Georgia . The 
519 lines that remain subject to duties, are found in sections I (live animals); II  (vegetable 
products), III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), and IV (prepared food ) with final average tariffs 
at between 20.5% and 42.8 %, and with differences between the MFN rate and the preferential rate 
only in HS  Chapters 18, and 19, for which there are specific duties (Chart 3.1 below). The highest 
average tariffs on dutiable line s are found in HS  Chapter 20 (59%) as well as in Chapters 10, 12, 
and 23 (55%).  
                                                
15 The schedule of concessions made by Switzerland also applies to trade with Liechtenstein.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Table 3.2 Iceland  
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN 
average  
% Total 
No. of 
lines  Duty -free 
lines 
under the  
MFN 2017  Number of duty -
free lines under 
the Agreement  
2017  No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable  Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable)  
% 
I 7.5 881 640 29 212 29.7 
II 12.6 467 294 112 61 42.8 
III 0.0 109 105  4 * 
IV 9.2 1,114  589 283 242 20.5 
V 0.1 192 190 2   
VI 1.2 982 829 153   
VII 2.2 367 245 122   
VIII 4.6 123 31 92   
IX 1.9 218 158 60   
X 1.9 186 139 47   
XI 1.2 898 789 109   
XII 1.9 71 57 14   
XIII 3.5 192 110 82   
XIV 3.0 61 43 18   
XV 1.3 691 583 108   
XVI 2.1 1,117  842 275   
XVII 0.5 468 441 27   
XVIII 0.1 227 224 3   
XIX 6.0 25 6 19   
XX 8.4 188 25 163   
XXI 0.9 11 10 1   
Total  3.8 8,588  6,350  1,719  519 28.1 
* Contains specific duties only . 
Note:  For the calculation of averages, specific rates are excluded.  
 Based on the HS2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO Se cretari at estimates based on data provided by Iceland.  
Chart 3.1 Iceland: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter  
 
Note:  For the calculation of averages, duties of the tariff lines subject to specific rates are excluded . 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Iceland.  
010203040506070
02
04
06
07
10
11
12
15
16
18
19
20
21
22
23Average Duty Rate
HS Chapters Preferential MFN
*
* Contains sepecifc rates only. WT/REG386/1  
 
- 13 - 
 
  3.1.3.1.2   Norway16 
3.13.   Norway's applied tariff in 201817 consisted of 7,179  lines at t he HS eight -digit level (H S 2017), 
90.32 % of which were ad valorem  and 695 were composed of either specific duties ( 694 lines) or 
other duties ( 1 line ).  
3.14.   Table 3.3 shows tariff elimination commitments by Norway with respect to Georgia . Before 
the entry into force of the Agreement, 6,118  lines were duty free, representing 85.2% of its tariff, 
and corresponding to 27.9% of its imports from Georgia  during 2015 -2017. At the entry into force 
of the Agreement, an additional 355 lines ( 4.9% of the tariff) became duty -free for imports from 
Georgia . As a result, 90.1% of Norway's tariff was duty free for imports from Georgia , corresponding 
to 98.7% of imports by value from Georgia . 706 tariff lines ( 9.9% of the tariff) remain dutiable as 
Norway implemented its tariff elimination commitments i mmediately at the entry into force of the 
Agreement. The lines remaining dutiable represent 1.3% of Norway's imports from Georgia  during 
2015-17.  
3.15.   In addition, the  "PAP" specific provisions apply for a number of products as identified in 
Section I of Annex  VI.18 Moreover , in connection with the "PAP" related regime, Norway grants 
Georgia at least the same treatment as th at granted to the EU, in the context of the EEA Agreement.  
3.16.   Additionally, for twenty  8-digit lines19, Norway reduces by 30% the in -quota duty on one of 
its WTO quotas . It also commits  to grant a preferential in and out of quota duty reduction for natural 
honey .20  
Table 3.3 Norway  
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and corresponding average trade  
Duty phase -out 
period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines 
in Norway's 
tariff schedule  Value of Norway's 
imports from Georgia  
(2015 -2017)  
in million US$  % of Norway's 
total imports from  
Georgia  
(2015 -2017)  
2018 (MFN)  6,118  85.2 0.3 27.9 
2018 355 4.9 0.8 70.8 
Remain dutiable  706 9.9 0.0 1.3 
Total  7,179  100.0  1.2 100.0  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature.  
 Tariff lines subject to in -quota rates21 are excluded in the tariff line count and calculati on of 
averages.  
Source :  WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway.  
3.17.   Table 3.4 shows Norway's tariff elimination, by HS section with regard to Georgia . The 706 
lines that remain subject to duties, are found in sections I (live animals); II (vegetable products), 
III (animal or vegetable fats  and oils), IV (prepared food) and VI (chemicals) with final average 
tariffs at between 20.2% and 415%, with differences between the MFN rate and the prefer ential rate 
in HS Chapters 6, 7, 21 and 22 , as illustrated by Chart 3.2 below.  
                                                
16 Although the entry into force of the agreement for the Norway is 1 September 2017, the tari ff rates 
were provided as of effective from 1 January 2018. The analysis therefore is based on data provided by 
Norway.  
17 Although the entry into force of the agreement for the Norway is 1 September 2017, the tariff rates 
were provided effective as of 1st January 2018. The analysis therefore is based on data provided by Norway.  
18 Please refer to section 3.5.2 below for more details on the "PAP" specific provisions.  
19 Sixteen tariff lines are classified under HS Chapter 02 (bovine meat, and meat of sheep or goats). 
One tariff line is classified under HS Chapter 04 (butter). Three tariff lines are classified under HS Chapter 07 
(some vegetables) and refer to seasonal tariffs.  
20 Please refer to section 3.1.4 below for more details on TRQs.  
21 20 tariff lines ( 0202.10.00, 0202.20.01, 0202.20.02, 0202.20.03, 0202.20.04, 0202.20.08, 
0202.30.01, 0202.30.09, 0204.10.00, 0204.21.00, 0204.22.00, 0204.30.00, 0204.41.00, 0204.42.00, 
0204.43.00, 0204.50.00, 0405.10.00, 0704.90.13, 0704.90.20, 0704.90.40 ) from HS Chapters 2  and 7 have 
MFN TRQs and the in -quota tariffs are further liberalized for Georgia under the agreement.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Table 3.4 Norway  
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN 
average  
% Total 
No. of 
lines  Duty -free 
lines under 
the  
MFN 2018  Number of duty -
free lines under 
the Agreement  
2018  No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable  Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable)  
% 
I 17.2 591 393 5 193 415.0  
II 15.9 586 306 36 244 120.0  
III 5.0 122 50 27 45 20.2 
IV 2.2 441 207 29 205 70.4 
V 0.0 192 192    
VI 1.0 1,031  1,012   19 337.1  
VII 0.0 287 287    
VIII 0.0 89 89    
IX 0.0 210 210    
X 0.0 168 168    
XI 2.7 887 629 258   
XII 0.0 60 60    
XIII 0.0 171 171    
XIV 0.0 54 54    
XV 0.0 653 653    
XVI 0.0 974 974    
XVII 0.0 215 215    
XVIII 0.0 226 226    
XIX 0.0 24 24    
XX 0.0 191 191    
XXI 0.0 7 7    
Total  2.6 7,179  6,118  355 706 202.3  
Note:  In-quota tariff lines/rates are excluded from counting of numbers of tariff lines and calculation of 
average rates. Also, specific rates are excluded while calculating the averages.  
 Although the entry into force of the agreement for the Norway is 1 September 2017, the tariff rates 
were provided as of effective from 1 January 2018. The analysis therefore is based on data provided 
by Norway.  
 Based on the HS2017 nomenclature.  
Source : WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway.  
Chart 3.2 Norway: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter  
 
Note:  For the calculation of averages, duties of the tariff lines subject to specific rates are excluded . 
 Based on the HS 2017  nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway.  
0100200300400500600
01
02
04
05
06
07
08
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
35
38Average Duty Rate
HS Chapters Preferential MFN
*
* Contains sepecifc rates only. * * * * * * * * *WT/REG386/1  
 
- 15 - 
 
  3.1.3.1.3   Switzerland22 
3.18.   Switzerland's applied tariff in 201823 consisted of 8, 530 lines at t he HS eight -digit level 
(HS 2017)24, 21.56 % of which were ad valorem  and 78 .44% have specific rates .  
3.19.   Table 3.5 shows tariff elimination commitments by Switzerland with respect to Georgia . Before 
the entry into force of the Agreement, 1 ,839 lines or 21.6% of the tariff were duty free, 
corresponding to 90.9 % of its imports from Georgia during 2015 -2017. At the entry into force of the 
Agreement,  in 2018, an additional 5,510 lines (64.6 % of the tariff) became duty -free for imports 
from Georgia . As a result, 86.2 % of its tariff was duty free for imports from Georgia , corresponding 
to 99.9% of imports by value from Georgia . 1,181  tariff lines ( 13.8% of the tariff)  will remain 
dutiable as Switzerland implemented tariff liberalization immediately at the entry into force of the 
Agreement. The tariff lines remaining dutiable represented 0.1% of Switzerland's imports from 
Georgia  in 2015 -2017.  
3.20.   In addition, the  "PAP" specific provisions apply for a number of products as identified in 
Section I of Annex VII .25 With respect to 313 eight -digit tariff lines, Switzerland furthermore provides 
a preferential or duty free in -quota tariff , within the limits of one of its  corresponding  WTO tariff rate 
quota concessions .26  
Table 3.5 Switzerland (including Liechtenstein)  
Tariff elimination commitments unde r the Agreement and corresponding average trade  
Duty phase -
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines 
in Switzerland's 
tariff schedule  Value of Switzerland's 
imports from Georgia  
(2015 -2017)  
in million US$  % of Switzerland's 
total imports from  
Georgia  
(2015-2017)  
2018 (MFN)  1,839  21.6 36.4 90.9 
2018 5,510  64.6 3.6 9.0 
Remain dutiable  1,181  13.8 0.0 0.1 
Total  8,530  100.0  40.1 100.0  
Note:  Tariff lines subject to in -quota rates27 are excluded in the tariff line count.  
 Based on the HS 2017 nomen clature.  
Source :  WTO estimates based on data provided by Switzerland . 
 
3.21.   Table 3.6 shows Switzerland's tariff elimination, by HS section with regard to Georgia . The 
lines that remain subject to duties in relation to Georgia  (1,181)  are considered to be agricultural 
products , as defined in Article 3.1 of the Agreement  (including some products in HS Chapters 35 
and 38) .28 These lines are found in sections I (live animals); II (vegetable products), III (animal or 
vegetable fats and oils), IV (prepared food) and VI (chemi cals). Switzerland's tariff  rates are  
essentially  specific for which ad valorem  equivalents are not available. Consequently, the average 
of dutiable rates  has not been calculated . 
                                                
22 Including Liechtenstein, as per the Customs Union established since 1 January 1924.  
23 The Agreement entered into force in 2018 between Georgia and Switzerland / Liechtenstein, following 
the internal procedure applicable for Switzerland's ratification.  
24 While 21.56% of the tariff lines are duty free, the remaining 78.44% tariff lines for which a duty is 
applied are non -ad valorem  (specific duties).  
25 Please refer to section 3.5.2 below for more details on the "PAP" specific provisions.  
26 For 189 tariff l ines (out of the 313 concerned lines), the preferential treatment granted to Georgia is 
improved as compared to the one granted by Switzerland in the context of its WTO TRQ commitments. Please 
refer to section 3.1.4 below for more details on TRQs.  
27 There are 313 MFN in-quota tariff lines (which are found in chapters 01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 10, 
11, 16, 20, and 22) of which some are further liberalized for imports from Georgia under the Agreement.  
28 See Annex I to the Agreement.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Table 3.6 Switzerland  
Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN 
average  
% Total 
No. of 
lines  Duty -free lines 
under the  
MFN 2018  Number of duty -
free lines under 
the Agreement  
2018  No. of 
lines 
remaining 
dutiable  Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable)  
% 
I … 486 222 92 172 … 
II … 1,050  192 271 587 … 
III … 197 71 75 51 … 
IV … 625 121 143 361 … 
V … 183 121 62   
VI … 1,096  446 640 10 … 
VII … 243 34 209   
VIII … 74 15 59   
IX … 153 16 137   
X … 182 28 154   
XI … 1,098  81 1,017    
XII … 60  60   
XIII … 165 2 163   
XIV … 61 7 54   
XV … 906 39 867   
XVI … 1,252  271 981   
XVII … 241 29 212   
XVIII … 241 97 144   
XIX … 26  26   
XX … 181 39 142   
XXI … 10 8 2   
Total  … 8,530  1,839  5,510  1,181  … 
…  Not available: Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific duties for which ad valorem  equivalents are 
 not available.  
Note:  Calculation excludes specific rates and in -quota rates.  
 Based on HS 2017 nomenclature.  
Source :  WTO estimates based on data provid ed by Switzerland.  
 
3.1.3.2   Georgia  
3.22.   Georgia 's applied tariff in 2017  consisted of 10,029  lines at the HS eleven -digit level 
(HS 2012); 97.55%  of them were ad valorem  duties and 246 were composed of either specific duties 
(209 lines) or other duties (37 lines) . 
3.23.   For non -agricultural products, Georgia commits to abolish, upon entry into force of the 
Agreement, all customs duties and charges having equivalent effect on imports of products 
originating in the EFTA States  (Article 2.3), while the agricultural products listed in Georgia's 
schedules of tar iff concessions with each EFTA State  are duty free or benefit from lowered tariff 
rates.29  
3.24.   Table s 3.7, 3.9, and 3.11 show  tariff elimination commitments by Georgia  with respect to 
Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland and Tab les 3.8, 3.10, and 3.12 show  Georgia 's tariff elimination, 
by HS  section with regard to each of its EFTA partners.  
3.1.3.2.1   Georgia  - Iceland  
3.25.   As shown in Table 3.7, before the entry into force of the Agreement (2017), 8,224 (eleven -
digit) tariff lines, representing  82% of Georgia's tariff, and corresponding to 99.9% of its imports 
from Iceland during 2014 -2016, were duty free . At the entry into force of the Agreement, an 
additional 680 lines (6.8% of the tariff) became duty -free for imports from Iceland. As a result , 
89.8% of Georgia's tariff  became  duty free for imports from Iceland. 1,125  tariff lines remain 
                                                
29 Annex V to the Agreemen t applies to trade between Georgia and Iceland; Annex VI to the Agreement 
applies to trade between Georgia and Norway; and Annex VII to the Agreement applies to trade between 
Georgia and Switzerland/Liechtenstein.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 17 - 
 
  dutiable, representing 11.2% of Georgia's tariff and corresponding to a negligible share  of its imports 
from Iceland  in 2014 -2016 (0.1%) .  
Table 3.7 Georgia (Iceland): Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
Duty  
phase -out period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines 
in Georgia's 
tariff schedule  Value of Georgia's 
imports from Iceland  
(2014 -2016)  
in million US$  % of Georgia's total 
imports from  
Iceland  
2014 -2016  
2017 (MFN)  8,224  82.0 4.3 99.9 
2017 680 6.8 0.0 0.0 
Remain dutiable  1,125  11.2 0.0 0.1 
Total  10,029  100.0  4.3 100.0  
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  
 
3.26.   Table 3.8 shows Georgia's tariff elimination, by HS section with regard to Iceland. The 1,125 
lines that remain subject to duties, are found in sections I (live animals); II (vegetable products), 
III (anim al or vegetable fats and oils), and IV (prepared food) with final average tariffs at between 
11.3% and 12 %. As illustrated by Chart 3.3 below, the rates for the remain ing dutiable lines are set  
at the same level as  the MFN rate.  
Table 3.8 Georgia (Iceland): Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN average 
% Total No. 
of lines  Duty -free 
lines under 
the 
MFN 2017  Number of duty -
free lines under the 
Agreement  
2017  No. of lines 
remaining  
dutiable  Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable)  
I 4.6 740 420 89 231 11.3 
II 5.6 570 306  264 12.0 
III 0.1 127 126  1 12.0 
IV 8.6 852 174 49 629 12.0 
V 3.0 255 192 63   
VI 0.2 1,238  1,208  30   
VII 2.0 376 259 117   
VIII 0.0 219 219    
IX 6.2 204 99 105   
X 0.0 216 216    
XI 0.0 1,168  1,168     
XII 0.0 112 112    
XIII 3.0 267 200 67   
XIV 2.5 63 50 13   
XV 1.2 1,013  908 105   
XVI 0.0 1,639  1,634  5   
XVII 0.0 340 303 37   
XVIII 0.0 370 370    
XIX 0.0 28 28    
XX 0.0 225 225    
XXI 0.0 7 7    
Total  1.8 10,029  8,224  680 1,125  11.8 
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
 Specific rates are excluded while calculating the averages.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Chart 3.3 Georgia -Iceland: Average of dutiable  rates, by HS Chapter  
 
Note:  For the calculation of averages, duties of the tariff lines subject to specific rates are excluded.  
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
 Iceland and Norway average final duties are the same.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data  provided by Georgia.  
3.1.3.2.2   Georgia  - Norway  
3.27.   As shown in Table 3.8, before the entry into force of the Agreement, 8,224 (eleven -digit) 
tariff lines were duty free, representing 82% of Georgia's tariff, and corresponding to 98.1% of its 
imports from Norway during  2014-2016. At the entry into force of the Agreement, an additional 
1,237 lines (12.3% of the tariff) became duty -free for imports from Norway. As a result, 94.3% of 
Georgia's tariff was duty free for imports from Norway, corresponding to 98.4% of imports by value 
from Norway. 568 tariff lines remain dutiable, representing 5.7% of Georgia's tariff and 
corresponding to 1.6% of its imports from Iceland in 2014 -2016.  
Table 3.9 Georgia (Norway): Tariff elimination  commitments under the Agreement and 
corresponding average trade  
Duty  
phase -out 
period  Number of lines  % of total lines in 
Georgia's tariff 
schedule  Value of Georgia's 
imports from 
Norway  
(2014 -2016)  
in million US$  % of Georgia's 
total imports 
from  
Norway  
(2014 -2016)  
2017 (MFN)  8,224  82.0 10.7 98.1 
2017 1,237  12.3 0.0 0.3 
Remain dutiable  568 5.7 0.2 1.6 
Total  10,029  100.0  10.9 100.0  
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  
3.28.   Table 3.10 shows Georgia's tariff elimination, by HS section with regard to Norway . The 568 
lines that remain subject to duties, are found in sections I (live animals); II (vegetable products), 
III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), and IV (prepared food ) with final average tariffs at between 
10.5% and 12%. As illustrated by Chart 3.4 below, the rates for the remain ing dutiable lines are set 
at the same level as the MFN rate.  
02468101214
01
02
04
07
08
09
11
15
16
17
19
20
21
22
23
24Average Duty Rate
HS Chapters Preferential MFNWT/REG386/1  
 
- 19 - 
 
  Table 3.10 Georgia (Norway): Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN 
average %  Total No. 
of lines  Duty -free 
lines under 
the MFN 2017  Number of duty -
free lines under 
the Agreement  
2017  No. of 
lines 
remaining 
dutiable  Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable)  
I 4.6 740 420 216 104 10.5 
II 5.6 570 306 30 234 12.0 
III 0.1 127 126  1 12.0 
IV 8.6 852 174 449 229 12.0 
V 3.0 255 192 63   
VI 0.2 1,238  1,208  30   
VII 2.0 376 259 117   
VIII 0.0 219 219    
IX 6.2 204 99 105   
X 0.0 216 216    
XI 0.0 1,168  1,168     
XII 0.0 112 112    
XIII 3.0 267 200 67   
XIV 2.5 63 50 13   
XV 1.2 1,013  908 105   
XVI 0.0 1,639  1,634  5   
XVII 0.0 340 303 37   
XVIII 0.0 370 370    
XIX 0.0 28 28    
XX 0.0 225 225    
XXI 0.0 7 7    
Total  1.8 10,029  8,224  1,237 568 11.6 
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
 Specific rates are excluded while calculating the averages.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  
Chart 3.4 Georgia -Norway: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter  
 
Note:  For the calculation of averages, duties of the tariff lines subject to specific rates are excluded.  
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
 Iceland and Norway average final duties are the same.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  
3.1.3.2.3   Georgia  - Switzerland  
3.29.   As shown in Table 3.11 , before the entry into force of the Agreement  (2017) , 8,224 (eleven -
digit) tariff  lines were duty free, representing 82% of Georgia 's tariff, corresponding to 94.5% of its 
02468101214
01
02
04
07
08
11
15
17
19
20
22
23
24Average Duty Rate
HS Chapters Preferential MFNWT/REG386/1  
 
- 20 - 
 
  imports from Switzerland during 2014 -2016. At the entry into force of the Agreement, an additional 
1,337  lines ( 13.3% of the tariff) became duty -free for imports from Switzerland. As a result, 95.5% 
of Georgia 's tariff was duty free for imports from Switzerland, corresponding to 100% of imports by  
value from Switzerland. 468 tariff lines remain dutiable, representing 4.7% of Georgia 's tariff and 
corresponding to a negligible share  of its imports from Switzerland in 2014 -2016.  
Table 3.11 Georgia (Switzerland): Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement 
and corresponding average trade  
Duty  
phase -out period  Number 
of lines  % of total lines 
in Georgia's 
tariff schedule  Value of Georgia's 
imports from 
Switzerland  
(2014 -2016)  
in million US$  % of Georgia's total 
imports from  
Switzerland  
2014 -2016  
2017 (MFN)  8,224  82.0 52.5 94.5 
2017 1,337  13.3 3.0 5.5 
Remain dutiable  468 4.7 0.0 0.0 
Total  10,029  100.0  55.6 100.0  
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
 Although the Agreement between  Georgia and Switzerland entered into force on  1 May 2018, the tariff 
rates provided by Georgia were  effective as of 2017. The analysis therefore is based on data provided 
by Georgia.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  
3.30.   Table 3.12 shows Georgia's tariff elimination, by HS section with regard to Switzerland. The 
468 lines that remain subject to duties, are found in sections I (live animals); II (vegetable 
products), IV (prepared food), and VI (chemicals) with final average  tariffs at between 5% and 12%. 
As illustrated by Chart 3.5 below, the rates for the remain ing dutiable lines are set at the same level 
as the MFN rate.  
Table 3.12 Georgia (Switzerland): Tariff elimination und er the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section  MFN average 
% Total No. 
of lines  Duty -free 
lines under 
the 
MFN 2017  Number of duty -
free lines under 
the Agreement  
2017  No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable  Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable)  
I 4.6 740 420 189 131 11.5 
II 5.6 570 306 80 184 12.0 
III 0.1 127 126 1   
IV 8.6 852 174 526 152 12.0 
V 3.0 255 192 63   
VI 0.2 1,238  1,208  29 1 5.0 
VII 2.0 376 259 117   
VIII 0.0 219 219    
IX 6.2 204 99 105   
X 0.0 216 216    
XI 0.0 1,168  1,168     
XII 0.0 112 112    
XIII 3.0 267 200 67   
XIV 2.5 63 50 13   
XV 1.2 1,013  908 105   
XVI 0.0 1,639  1,634  5   
XVII 0.0 340 303 37   
XVIII 0.0 370 370    
XIX 0.0 28 28    
XX 0.0 225 225    
XXI 0.0 7 7    
Total  1.8 10,029  8,224  1,337  468 11.8 
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
 Specific rates are excluded while calculating the averages.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Chart 3.5 Georgia -Switzerland : Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter  
 
Note:  For the  calculation of averages, duties of the tariff lines subject to specific rates are excluded.  
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
 Iceland and Norway average final duties are the same.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Georgia.  
3.1.4   Tariff rate quotas  
3.31.   Iceland and Georgia  do not make  any commitment in the form of  preferential TRQ s.  
3.32.   However, Switzerland30 and Norway do, for certain products, grant concessions  to Georgia  
"within the limits of a tariff quota". In the case of Switzerland,  313 eight-digit tariff lines  are subject 
to TRQ commitments . The se commitments  are all  to be implemented  within the limits of 
Switzerland's WTO TRQ commitments.31 In the case of Norway, a 30% reduction on  the in -quota 
duty of some of its WTO TRQs ( 20 tariff  lines covered ) is granted for imports from Georgia . The 
import q uantities are fixed and indefinite without any variation over time.  Norway also grants 
preferential access to Georgia through a TRQ commitment  that is  not related to its WTO TRQ 
commitment, for natura l honey . 
3.2  Rules of origin  
3.33.   The rules of origin and methods of administrative cooperation are set out in Annex I I to the 
Agreement  (Article 2.2) . In respect of rules of origin and administrative cooperation between the 
customs authorities of the Parties, the Agreement clarifies that Appendix I and the relevant 
provisions of Appendix II of the Regional Convention on Pan -euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules 
of Origin (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention") shall apply .32 These legal texts are 
incorporated into and made part of the Agreement.  While the Convention entered into force for the 
most EFTA State s on 1 January 2012 (1 May in the case of Iceland), it entered into force on 17 May  
2017 for Georgia, when it acceded to the Convention.  
3.34.   Appendix I to the Convention sets out general rules for the definition of the concept of 
originating products and the methods of administrative cooperation. Appendix II to the Convention 
sets out special provisions applicable between certain Contracting Parties of the Conve ntion and 
derogati ons from the provisions laid down in Appendix I.  
                                                
30 Also covering Liechtenstein.  
31 Reference s to 27 different annual global WTO quotas are contained in Switzerland's Schedule of tariff 
concessions in relation to Georgia,  in some cases with certain specifications as to the coverage.  
32 In case of withdrawal from the Convention by one Party, the Par ties shall immediately enter into 
negotiations on new rules or origin applicable to the Agreement (Article 2 of Annex II).  
02468101214
01
02
04
07
08
11
16
17
20
22
23
24
33Average Duty Rate
HS Chapters Preferential MFNWT/REG386/1  
 
- 22 - 
 
  3.35.    While Title I of Appendix I  defines terms used in the Appendix , title II clarifies the concept of 
"originating products". For the purposes of the Convention, and as a consequence of the Agreement, 
a product is considered as originating in a Party if:  
a. it has been wholly obtained in a Party33; or 
b. the non -originating materials used in the working or processing of that product have 
undergone sufficient working or processing in a Party, in confor mity with the 
product -specific rules contained in Article 5 of and Annex II to the Convention ; or  
3.36.   The product -specific rules of origin34 represent the minimum working or processing required 
to be carried out on non -originating materials for the resulting p roduct to achieve originating status. 
For most HS Chapters covering agricultural products, the products are originating if they are wholly 
obtained or if their transformation involves a change in tariff classification (CTC). For a large number 
of industria l and some agricultural  products , a third-party input material threshold , ranging 
generally35 from 10% to 50% is also listed  as an alternative determination of origin criteria , and/or 
as conditional criteria in certain cases . Specified manufacturing or proc essing operations are required 
for some products (some prepared foods; textiles, or chemical products, for example ).  
3.37.   Article 5 of the Appendix states the working or processing which must be carried out on non -
originating materials used in the manufacturin g in order for the final product to be considered 
originating. Moreover, it states a general 10% value tolerance that is not accumulative to the value 
criteria of Annex II. Specific rules are however defined for textiles and textile products (HS Chapters 
50 to 63) .36 
3.38.   Title I of Appendix I to the Convention, in particular in  its Articles 6 through 10, also contains 
disciplines on insufficient working or processing; unit of qualification for application of the provisions 
of the Convention; treatment of accessories, spare parts and tools; determination of origin for sets; 
and d etermination of the origin of neutral elements .37  
3.39.   Cumulation of origin is governed by the provisions of Article 3 of Appendix 1 to the Convention . 
Products shall be considered as originating in a Party if they are obtained there by incorporating 
materials originating in the other Party, provided that the working or processing carried out goes 
beyond the insufficient working or processing operations while it shall not be necessary that the 
materials of the other Party have undergone sufficient working or pro cessing.  Diagonal c umulation 
is also permitted in cases where the EFTA State s and Georgia  have an RTA with the same third-party 
or group of third-parties, as long as they comply with the specific rules of origin for that product or 
material under the Agree ment. For this rule to apply an equivalent provision shall be in force between 
each Party and the third-party or group of third-parties, as well as any other conditions that the 
Parties consider necessary for its application. The diagonal cumulation applie s in particular with 
respect to the following parties  to the Convention: the Faroe Islands, the EU, Turkey, the participants 
in the Stabilisation and Association Process38, the participants in the Barcelona Process39, Moldova, 
and Ukraine.  Moreover,  Article 5 of Annex II  to the Agreement  contains transitional provisions 
regarding cumulation. Where cumulation involves only the EFTA State s, Georgia, the Faroe Islands, 
the EU, Turkey, the participants in the Stabilisation and Association Process and Moldova, a 
movement certificate EUR.1 or an origin declaration may be used. Moreover, under certain 
                                                
33 Article 4 of Appendix I lists the categories of products to be considered as wholly obtained.  
34 See Article 5 of and Annex II to th e Convention.  
35 For HS Sub -Heading 20.08 the threshold is set at 60%. For HS Sub -Headings 24.02 and 24.03 the 
threshold is set at 70%).  
36 See Notes 4 through 6 in Annex I to Protocol I (introductory notes to the list in Annex II to 
Protocol  I). 
37 Neutral e lements refer to energy and fuel; plant and equipment; machines and tools; and goods 
which neither enter into the final composition of the product nor are intended to do so.  
38 Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mont enegro, Serbia, 
and Kosovo.  
39 Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, and Tunisia.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 23 - 
 
  conditions, diagonal cumulation may be applied between the Contracting Parties to the Convention40, 
regardless whether the Convention is applicable to them or not .41  
3.40.   Title III of Appendix I to the Convention  clarifies the principle of territoriality applicable to the 
Agreement, including in relation to operations carried out in a third -party, under outward processing 
procedures or a similar arrangement  (Article 11 of A ppendix I) ; as well as disciplines related to direct 
transport (Article 12  of Appendix I ); and the treatment of originating products sent for exhibition by 
a country other than a Party and sold after the exhibition for importation by a Party (Article 13  of 
Appendix I ). 
3.41.   Title IV of Appendix I to the Convention contains provisions on the prohibition of drawback 
of, or exemption from, customs duties . It provides that non -originating materials used in the 
manufacture of products originating in a Party for which  a proof of origin is issued shall not be subject 
to drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties of whatever kind. Modalities and conditions 
related to the prohibition o n drawback are contained in Article 14  of Appendix I . 
3.42.   Title V of Appendix I to the Convention addresses proof o f origin, and contain s, inter alia , the 
required wording of the origin declaration; specimens of movement certificate EUR.1 or EUR -MED 
and the modalities for such a movement certificate .  
3.43.   Title VI of Appendix I to the Convention sets out disciplines and registers commitments by 
the Parties in relation to administrative cooperation. It also addresses verifications of proofs or origin, 
the settlement of dispute s in relation to the verification procedure or other origin -related matte rs, 
penalties, and free zones situated in the Parties' territories.  
3.44.   Annex II to the Agreement moreover contains complementary rules on notification (Article 3 
of Annex II). As for dispute settlement, Chapter 12 applies  with respect to the settlement of any 
disputes concerning the interpretation or application of Appendix I to the Convention (Article 4 of 
Annex II).  
3.3  Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions  
3.45.   Upon the entry into force of the Agreement, all c ustoms duties and other charges, including 
surcharges and other forms of contributions, related to the export of goods to another Party, are 
required to be eliminated.  No new export duty shall be introduced  (Article 2.4) . Moreover, the 
general elimination of all export prohibitions or restriction on trade in goods between the Parties, as 
contained in Paragraph 1 of Article XI of the GATT 1994, applies and is incorporated into and made 
part of the Agreement (Article 2.6).  
3.46.   These disciplines on export duties and on quantitative export restrictions  are applicable for 
both non -agricultural and agricultural goods  (Article 3.3) .  
3.4  Regulatory provisions on trade in goods  
3.4.1   Standards  
3.4.1.1   Sanitary and phytosanitary measures  
3.47.   Chapter 4 contains d isciplines on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) that are 
intended to further the implementation of the WTO SPS Agreement, which shall govern the SPS 
measures taken by a Party against a product from another Party and are incorporated into and made 
part of the Agreement (Article 4.3). The Agreement foresees that an importing Party shall base 
assessments of the inspection and certification system of the exporting Party on international 
standards, and that Parties shall use system audits as the preferre d assessment method 
(Article  4.5).  
                                                
40 For Georgia, the Convention entered into force on 17 May 2017.  
41 See also additional information at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents -
publications/treaties -agreements/agreement/?id=2010035 . WT/REG386/1  
 
- 24 - 
 
  3.48.   The Parties also agree to cooperate in order to, inter alia , minimize the number of model SPS 
certificates as far as possible (Article 4.6). Areas of cooperation are also identified by Article 4.7 
(scientific advice and risk analysis; publication of SPS regulations; and notification of substantial 
changes in structure, organization and division of responsibilities of the Parties' competent 
authorities and contact points42). The Agreement provides guidelines for import requ irements and 
checks applied to imported products (Article 4.8).  
3.49.   The Agreement contains rules on consultations (Article 4.9). The Parties further agree, upon 
request by a Party, on an arrangement extending to each other treatment related to SPS regulations 
granted by each Party to the EU (Article 4.10).  
3.4.1.2   Technical barriers to trade  
3.50.   The rights and obligations of the Parties on technical regulations, standards and conformity 
assessment measures shall be governed by the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Tra de 
(TBT) , which is incorporated into and made part of the Agreement  (Article 2.9 ).  
3.51.   Each Party designates a contact point to facilitate communication and the exchange of 
information in the TBT field. Moreover, technical consultations may be held at the req uest of a Party.  
3.52.   The Parties commit to inform each other in advance of potential significant changes in 
treatment accorded to the European Union (EU). Provided that equivalent treatment with regard to 
technical regulations, standards and conformity assess ments has been mutually agree between the 
EU and each Party, the Parties shall without undue delay agree on an arrangement extending such 
treatment to each other. The disciplines applicable to the recognition of conformity assessment by 
central government bodies also apply for granting to products from a requesting Party that is 
compliant with EU legislation , similar treatment to that accorded to products fr om the EU.  
3.4.2   Safeguard mechanisms  
3.53.   Article 2.15  contains disciplines applicable to global safeguard measures which may be applied 
by the Parties, while a specific bilateral (transitional) safeguard mechanism i s established under 
Article  2.16.  
3.54.   Rules on the imposition of restrictive measures for balance  of payments purposes are  also 
contained in Article 2.19 . 
3.4.2.1   Global safeguards  
3.55.   The Parties rights and obligations in respect of global safeguards shall be governed by 
Article  XIX of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agree ment on Safeguards (Article 2.15 ). the Agreeme nt 
specifies that "in taking measures under the relevant WTO provisions, a Party shall, consistent with 
WTO law and jurisprudence  and in accordance wit h its domestic legislation, exclude imports of an 
originating product from one or several Parties if such  imports do not in and of themselves cause or 
threaten to cause serious injury".  
3.4.2.2   Bilateral safeguards  
3.56.   Disciplines on bilateral  (transitional)  safeguard measur es are contained in Article 2.16 . Such 
measures may only be applied to the minimum extent necessar y to remedy or prevent an injury 
substantially caused (or threated to be caused) by a Party's like or directly competitive  product 
imported in increased quantities into another Party. This is applicable only when such a situation 
results from the reduction  or elimination of a customs duty under the Agreement. The investigation 
shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures  laid down in the WTO Safeguard  Agreement. 
It also involves notification obligations and foresees the offer of compensation in the form of 
substantially equivalent trade liberalization. The importing Party may suspend further reductions of 
customs duties. As an alternative, it may increase the rate of customs duties to a level not exceeding 
                                                
42 Contact points are established in application of Article 4.11.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 25 - 
 
  the lesser of: i) the MFN rate of duty appli ed at the time the action is taken or ii) the MFN rate of 
duty applied on the day immediately preceding the entry into force of the Agreement.  
3.57.   Bilateral safeguards shall only be taken during the transition period which is defined as five 
years from the dat e of entry into force of the Agreement. The duration of a bilateral safeguard 
measure shall not exceed one year, extendable in exceptional circumstances to up to two additional 
years. No bilateral safeguard shall be applied on a product which has previousl y been subject to 
such a measure.  
3.58.   In critical circumstances, the Agreement also foresees provisional bilateral safeguard 
measures, which shall be terminated within 200 days at the latest. The period of application of any 
provisional safeguard measure shal l count as part of the duration of the bilateral safeguard measure.  
3.4.2.3   Safeguard measures related to balance of payment  (BOP)  difficulties  
3.59.   A Party, in serious BOP difficulties, or under imminent threat thereof, may, in accordance with 
the conditions establis hed under the GATT 1994 and the relevant WTO Understanding, adopt such 
measures (Article 2.19 ). The Agreement also contains notification obligations in that regard.  
3.4.3   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  
3.60.   Regarding the disciplines applicable to countervailing measures, the Parties' rights and 
obligations under Articles VI and XVI of the GATT 1994 and the SCM Agreement are confirmed. 
However, before the initiation of an investigation by Party, notification i n writing shall be made  and 
a 45-day period for consultations shall be allowed for with a view to finding a mutually acceptable 
solution between the notifying Party and the affected Party (Article 2.13). The Agreement does not 
contain specific disciplines on countervailing measures with respect to trade in agricultural products.  
3.61.   For trade in all products, including agricultural products, the Parties shall endeavour to refrain 
from initiating antidumping procedures under Article VI of the GATT 1994 and the W TO Antidumping 
Agreement43 against each other (Article 2.14). The Agreement also contains a notification obligation 
before investigation and a consultation phase with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution 
to resolve the issue. Moreover, if an antidumping measure is applied by a Party, the measure shall 
be terminated no later than five years from its imposition. Rules on the re -imposition of antidumping 
measures on the same product are also included in Article 2. 14. Furthermore, the "lesser duty" rule 
is applicable. The Agreement also foresees a review  five years after the entry into force of the 
Agreement to determine if there is a need to maintain the possibility to take antidumping measures 
between the Parties.  If the possibility to take such measures is maintained, biennial reviews shall 
thereafter be conducted .44 
3.4.4   Subsidies and State -aid 
3.62.   With respect to trade in non -agricultural goods, the Agreement confirms that the rights and 
obligations of the Parties relatin g to subsidies shall be governed by Articles VI and XVI of the GATT 
1994 and the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  (SCM ). The Agreement 
does not contain specific disciplines on subsidies with respect to trade in agricultural products.  
3.63.   There are no provisions on State -aid in the Agreement.  
3.4.5   Customs -related procedures  
3.64.   While there is no specific provision in the Agreement on customs -related procedures, 
Article  2.10 covers trade fac ilitation. In essence, the Parties shall simplify procedur es for trade in 
goods and related services; promote multilateral cooperation in order to enhance their participation 
in the development and implementation of international conventions and recommendations on trade 
facilitation; and cooperate on trade facili tation with the established Joint Committee .45  
                                                
43 The WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATS 1994.  
44 by the Joint Committee.  
45 See below the section on the institutional framework.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 26 - 
 
  3.65.   Article 2.10 also refers to Annex III to the Agreement , which contains disciplines inter alia, 
on transparency; advance rulings; simplification of international trade procedures; the designation 
of competent c ustoms offices by each Party; risk management; authorised economic operator 
system; customs brokers; fees and charges, penalty disciplines; legalisation of documents; 
temporary admission of goods; inward and outward processing; border agency cooperation ; appeal; 
confidentiality; and further cooperation with a view to facilitating trade between the Parties.  
3.66.   Article VII of the GATT 1994 (valuation for customs purposes) and Part I of the WTO 
Agreement on Customs Valuation shall apply when determining the cust oms value of products traded 
between the Parties. These WTO provisions are incorporated into and made part of the Agreement, 
mutatis mutandis  (Article 2.5).  
3.4.6   Other regulations  
3.4.6.1   State  trading enterprises  
3.67.   Article XVII of the GATT 1994 and the related Understan ding shall apply and are incorporated 
into and made part of the Agreement (Article 2.12).  
3.5  Sector -specific provisions on trade in goods  
3.5.1    Agricultural goods  
3.68.   Trade in agricultural products is governed by Chapter 3, which cross -references most of the 
general provisions contained in Chapter 2 (trade in non -agricultural products). With respect to tariff 
concessions however, each Party's concession is registered in separate Annexes to the Agreement. 
In particular, Annex V contains tariff commitments on agricultur al products between Iceland and 
Georgia,  Annex VI between  Norway and Georgia and  Annex VII between Switzerland (also covering 
Liechtenstein) and Georgia. The Parties agree to examine any difficulties that might arise in their 
trade in agricultural products and shall endeavour to seek appropriate solutions through dialogue 
and consultations (Article 3.4). The Parties also undertake to continue their efforts with a view to 
achieving further liberalization of their trade in agricultural products, taking account of the 
arrangements for processed agricultural products, the pattern of trade in agricultural products 
between the Parties, the particular sensitivities  of such products, the development of each Party's 
agricultural policy and developments in bilateral and multilateral fora (Article 3.5).  
3.5.2   Processed agricultural products  
3.69.   Georgia's  schedul es of tariff commitments on agricultural products with , Norway and 
Switzerland and their schedules with Georgia  contain specific provisions which apply to products 
identified as Processed Agricultural Products (PAP) .46 The Agreement does not preclude the levying 
of import duties and measures on exports, when such measures ar e intended to take account of 
differences in the cost of the agricultural raw materials incorporated into PAP s. Moreover, import  
duties levied by the Parties, shall be based on, but not exceed, the differences between the domestic 
price and the world marke t price of the agricultural raw materials incorporated into the products 
concerned. Switzerland and Norway shall publish the applicable import duties for PAP s on the website 
of the EFTA Secretariat .47 In the case of Norway, and subject to the provisions set  out in Section I 
                                                
46 The Schedule of tariff commitments on agricultural products between Iceland and Georgia does not 
contai n any specific disciplines on PAP.  
47 Information available at http://www.efta.int/free -trade/free -trade -agreements/georgia . For 
Switzerland, notification on the applicable system and detailed information on concessions made for PAPs refer 
to Protocol 2 of the bilateral Agreement between Switzerland and the EU on PAPs. In the case of Norway (and 
theoretically also Iceland – though there are no specific PAP -related modalities in the Agreement for Iceland), 
reference is made to Protocol 3 of the EEA Agreement. Moreover, Norway's treatment of PAPs originating in 
Georgia shall be identical to the treatment it gives to the EU. The Concessions for PAPs are the same granted 
to the EU as of 1 January 2015. If the treatment for these products changes in the agreement between Norway 
and the EU, Georgia will simultaneously get identical treatment.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 27 - 
 
  of Annex VI, preferential treatment granted for PAPs originating in Georgia shall be no less 
favourable than that accorded to the European Union.48  
4  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES  AND INVESTMENT  
4.1  Scope and definitions  
4.1.  Rules governing trade  in services49 are found in Chapter 5 of the Agreement. They apply  to 
measures by Parties affecting trade in services, provided through any of the four traditional modes 
of supply, by central, regional or local governments and authorities as well as by non -governmental 
bodies in the exercise of powers delegated by these governments or authorities. Chapter 5 does not 
cover measures affecting air traffic rights, however granted, or measures affecting services directly 
related to the exercise of air traffic rig hts (except as provided for in paragraph 3 of the Annex on Air 
Transport Services to the GATS50). Moreover, nothing in the Chapter shall be construed to impose 
any obligation with respect to government procurement.51 
4.2.  The Parties' schedules of specific commit ments are contained in Annex VIII, while their MFN 
exemptions are in Annex IX. Specific disciplines on financial services, telecommunications services, 
maritime transport and related services, and energy related services are contained in, respectively, 
Annexes X through XIII to the Agreement.  
4.3.  Chapter 6  on establishment ( investment ) applies to commercial presence in sectors other th an 
services covered by Chapter 5 .52 The commitments related to mode 3 , with respect to trade in 
services,  are therefore included in the Schedule of Specific Commitments (contained in Annex VIII). 
The Parties' reservations on national treatment commitments applicable to establishment  are 
contained in Annex XIV to the Agreement and are detailed under section 5.10.3 below.  
4.2  Denial of benefits  
4.4.  The Agreement does not contain any specific provision on denial of benefits.  
4.3  General provisions on trade in services  
4.3.1   Market access  
4.5.  Article XVI of the GATS shall apply and is incorporated  into and made part of Chapter 5 
(Article 5.5). 
4.6.  The Parties' specific commitments, including the limitations on market access, are contained in 
Annex VIII to the Agreement and are summarized below under Section 4.4.  
4.3.2   National treatment and MFN  
4.7.  With respect to  national treatment, Article XVII of  the GATS applies and is incorporated  into 
and made part of Chapter 5 (Article 5 .6). The Parties' specific commitments, including national 
treatment limitations, are contained in Annex VIII to the Agreement and are summarized below 
under Section 4.4.  
                                                
48 Preferential treatment granted to the EU in the context of the EEA (European Economic Area) 
agree ment 
49 The definition of the term "trade in services", for the purpose of  the Agreement, is identical to that in 
Article I of the GATS, which is incorporated and made part of Chapter 4. "Trade in services" therefore covers 
the supply of a service through the four modes of supply defined in the GATS. Similarly, the terms, inter alia, 
"services" and "a service supplied in the exercise of governmental authority" are also, for the purpose of the 
Agreement, identical to those in the GATS.  
50 Accordingly, the provisions of Chapter 4 cover measures affecting (a) aircraft repair and main tenance 
services; (b) the selling and marketing of air transport services; and (c) computer reservation system (CRS) 
services.  
51 Government procurement is subject to Chapter 8 of the Agreement and summarized below.  
52 It is also understood that services specifically exempted from the scope of Chapter 5 do not fall under 
the scope of Chapter 6.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 28 - 
 
  4.8.  Each Party shall accord immediately and unconditionally to services and service suppliers of 
any other Party treatment no less favourable than it accords to like services and service suppl iers of 
a third -party (Article 5 .4). This is however without prejudice to  measures taken in accordance with 
Article VII of the GATS (on recognition) and, except as provided for in each Party's MFN exemptions 
in Annex IX to the Agreement.53 Treatment granted under other existing or future agreements 
concluded by one of the Partie s and notified under Articles V or V bis of the GATS shall not be subject 
to the Parties MFN obligation. Nevertheless, if a Party enters into an agreement notified under 
Articles V or V bis of the GATS, it shall, upon request from another Party, afford adequ ate opportunity 
to that Party to negotiate the benefits granted therein. Furthermore, with respect to the rights and 
obligations of the Parties concerning advantages accorded to adjacent countries, paragraph 3 of 
Article II of the GATS shall apply and is a lso incorporated  into and made part of Chapter 5 . The 
Parties' lists of MFN exemptions are subject to periodic review.  
4.9.  In addition to the provisions on national and MFN treatment, and with respect to the Parties' 
additional commitments, Article XVIII of th e GATS applies and is also incorporated  into and made 
part of Chapter 5 (Article 5 .7). 
4.3.3   Commercial (local) presence  
4.10.   Commitments on commercial presence as defined by reference in Art. I:2(c) of the GATS are 
set out in the Parties' schedules of commitments on  services for market access and national 
treatment.  
4.3.4   Movement of natural persons  
4.11.   Article 5 .10 contains provisions on the movement of natural persons and applies to measures 
affecting natural persons who are service suppliers of a Party, and natural persons of a Party who 
are employed by a service supplier of a Party, in respect of the supply of a service. The Agreement 
however does not apply to measures affecting natural persons seeking access to the employment 
market of a Party, nor to measures regarding na tionality, citizenship, residence or employment on 
a permanent basis.  
4.12.   Natural persons covered by a specific commitment shall be allowed to supply the service in 
accordance wi th the terms of that commitment .  
4.13.   For all the Parties, the commitments on mode 4 a re listed as horizontal commitments in their 
individual schedules of specific commitments  (respectively in Appendixes 1 through 5 to Annex VIII 
to the Agreement) , as under the GATS. For Georgia , all GATS commitments are reiterated  for 
services salespersons; persons responsible for setting up commercial presence; and intra -corporate 
transferees.  Moreover, market access commitments are made for qualified specialists who are 
employees of an enterprise located outside Georgia but not having commercial presence in Georgia, 
supplying installation s or maintenance services for machinery or industrial equipment. Iceland 
reiterates its  GATS commitments, while additional commitments are made for contractual service 
suppliers, subject to severa l access conditions . Liechtenstein replicates its  GATS commitments . For 
Norway, mode 4 commitments build on its GATS commitments, while additional commitments are 
made, with limitations and conditions, for independent professionals . Switzerland replicates its GATS 
commitments for intra-corporate transferees; business visitors and services salespersons; as well 
as contractual services suppliers. Nevertheless, with respect to mode 4, it expands its commitments 
to also cover architectural services and urban pl anning services. Commitments are also made for 
installers and maintainers . 
4.14.   In the context of the provisions on establishment54 (Chapter 6 on investment with respect to 
sectors other than those covered in Chapter 5  on trade in services ), Article 6.5 contains  provisions 
related to "key personnel". Each Party shall, subject to its domestic law, grant natural persons of 
another Party who have established or seek to establish commercial presence in that Party, and key 
personnel employed by natural or juridical pe rsons of another Party, temporary entry and stay in 
that Party to engage in activities connected with commercial presence, including the provision of 
advice or key technical services. Each Party shall also permit natural or juridical persons of another 
                                                
53 The Parties' specific commitments and reservations, including the MFN exemptions listed under 
Annex  IX to the Agreement are s ummarized below under Section 4.4.  
54 See below section 4.7 below for more details on specific provisions on establishment and investment.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 29 - 
 
  Party, and their commercial presence, to employ, in connection with commercial presence, any key 
personnel of the natural or juridical person's choice regardless of nationality and citizenship provided 
that such key personnel have been permitted to enter, sta y and work in the territory of that Party 
and that the employment concerned conforms to the terms, conditions and time limits of the 
permission granted to them. Finally, the Parties shall grant temporary entry and stay and provide 
any necessary confirming documentation to the spouse and minor children of a person who has been 
granted temporary entry, stay and authorization to work. The spouse and minor children shall be 
admitted for the per iod of the stay of that person.  
4.4  Liberalization commitments  
4.15.    With res pect to sectors with commitments, each Party's schedule specifies the terms, 
limitations and conditions for market access; conditions and qualifications on national treatment; 
undertakings relating to additional commitments; and, where appropriate, the tim e-frame for 
implementation of such commitments, and the date of entry into force of such commitments. The 
Parties' lists of MFN exemptions are in Annex VIII to the Agreement.55 
4.16.   Consultations shall be held, upon written request by a Party, to consider any mo dification or 
withdrawal of a specific commitment (Article 5 .19). Modifications of schedules are subject to the 
procedures set out in Articles 11  (institutional provisions) and 13.2  (amendments).  
4.17.   The Parties' schedules of specific commitments (as is the ca se for the  list of MFN exemptions)  
shall be subject to periodic review  (Article 5.20) . 
4.18.   Liberal ization modalities for Chapter 5  (trade in services) follow a "positive list" approach 
comparable to the approach used under the GATS.  
4.19.   The sub -sections below present the Parties' liberalization commitments under the Agreement 
as compared to their GATS commitments. After summarizing the Parties' MFN exemptions a nd 
horizontal limitations in the Agreement, tables 4.1 to 4.5  summarize the ir specific commitments 
under the Agreement, by main sectors and subsectors, and compare them with their GATS 
Schedules. Improvements in existing GATS commitments are either a reduction in the limitations 
applicable to national treatment, additional sub -sector s in which commitments are made, and/or 
new commitments. It should however be noted that horizontal limitations in the GATS Schedules 
and MFN reservations or exemptions in the Agreement, are excluded, as are mode 4 commitments. 
The summaries of MFN and hor izontal limitations, as well as the summary tables,  should  be 
considered together  with the Parties' respective Schedules of Specific Commitments  and lists of MFN 
exemptions .  
4.4.1    Iceland  
4.20.   In its GATS schedule, Iceland has made commitments in most services sect ors, though leaving 
education  services and health related and social services unbound .56 Communication services and 
transport services are covered to a limited extent. Under the Agreement, the coverage of specific 
commitments essentially remains the same, w ith some improvements made with respect to some 
research and development services as well as air transport services.  
4.4.1.1   MFN and horizontal commitments  
4.21.   Iceland's GATS MFN exemptions cover certain measures, in all sectors, aimed at promoting 
Nordic co -operation , as well as related to European programmes and initiatives in the audio -visual 
services sector, also linked to production, distribution, and transmission of audio -visual work. In 
Appendix 2 to Annex IX to the Agreement , which lists its MFN exemptions57, Iceland replicates, with 
some adjustments, its GATS Article II exemptions.  
                                                
55 Reservations on commitments made with respect to establishment (applicable to non -services 
sectors) are in Annex XIV . 
56 Source: I -TIP Services database (WTO and World Bank) , August 2018 . 
57 In Article 5.4 of the Agreement, each Party grants MFN treatment to the other Party(ies) with respect 
to measures on trade in services, except as contained in each Party's List of MFN  Exemption (Annex IX to the 
Agreement).  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 30 - 
 
  4.22.   Under the GATS, Iceland's horizontal limitations mainly cover certain measures on the 
provision of services through mode 3 (some investment by foreigners and non -residents, as well as  
real-estate lease and acquisition) and mode 4 (unbound except the temporary entry and stay of 
executives, managers, specialists and service sellers).  Commitments are made for t he provision of 
subsidies , with some conditions.  There are some horizontal limi tations on national treatment related 
to Iceland's membership of the EEA.58 The Agreement maintains some of these  horizontal limitations 
though, in relation to mode 3, conditions on foreign currency transfers are relaxed and, national 
treatment accorded to subsidiaries may be extended to branches or agencies established in an EEA 
Member State  or an EFTA Member State  by a third -party company if effective and continuous links 
with the economy of the concerned Party can be shown. While mode 4 related commitments replicate 
those in the  GATS , additional commitments are made for contractual service suppliers .59 
4.4.1.2   Sector specif ic commitments  
4.23.   The following section identifies some of the main differences, by sector, between Iceland's 
GATS schedule and its sector -specific commitments under the Agreement. It should also be read in 
conjunction with Appendix 2 to Annex VIII to the Agr eement an Appendix 2 to Annex IX to the 
Agreement.  
4.24.   Iceland's sector -specific commitments under the Agreement mirror to a very large extent its 
GATS commitments. Its sectoral and sub -sectoral commitments in the Agreement are consequently 
largely similar to  those in its GATS Schedules.   
Table 4.1 Iceland: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific commitments  
Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to 
GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
1. Business services     
A. Professional  Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Computer  and Related  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Research  and Development  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Real  Estate Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Rental/Leasing  Services  without  Operators  Partial  Same  Partial  
F. Other  Business  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
2. Communication services     
A. Postal  services  --- Same  --- 
B. Courier  services  --- Same  --- 
C. Telecommunication  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Audiovisual  services  --- Same  --- 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General  construction  work for buildings  Full Same  Full 
B. General  construction  work for civil Engineering  Full Same  Full 
C. Installation  and assembly  work  Full Same  Full 
D. Building  completion  and finishing  work  Full Same  Full 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
4. Distribution services     
A. Commission  agents'  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Wholesale  trade services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Retailing  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Franchising  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other  Partial  Same  Partial  
5. Education services     
A. Primary education services  --- Same  --- 
B. Secondary education services  --- Same  --- 
C. Higher education services  --- Same  --- 
D. Adult education  --- Same  --- 
E. Other education services  --- Same  --- 
6. Environmental services     
A. Sewage services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Refuse disposal services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Other  Partial  Same  Partial  
                                                
58 EEA: European Economic Area.  
59 See Section 4.3.4 above on movement of natural persons.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 31 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to 
GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
7. Financial services     
A. All insurance  and insurance -related  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Banking  and other financial  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  
C. Other  --- Same  --- 
8. Health related and social services     
A. Hospital services  --- Same  --- 
B. Other Human Health Services  --- Same  --- 
C. Social Services  --- Same  --- 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels  and restaurants (including catering)  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Travel  agencies  and tour operators  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Tourist  guides  services  Full Same  Full 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services     
A. Entertainment  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. News agency services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other  Partial  Limited  --- 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Internal Waterways Transport  --- Same  --- 
C. Air  Transport  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Space  Transport  --- Same  --- 
E. Rail Transport  Services  --- Same  --- 
F. Road  Transport  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
G. Pipeline  Transport  --- Same  --- 
H. Services  auxiliary  to all modes  of transport  Partial  Same  Partial  
I. Other  Transport  Services  Full Same  Full 
12. Other services not included elsewhere  --- Same  --- 
General Note:  MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered in 
the Table.  
Partial:   GATS commitments subject to some limitation(s) under market access or  national treatment, 
under any of the three modes.  
Full:  GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes.  
---:  No commitments under GATS.  
Improved:  Overall improved commitments made u nder the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS.  
Same:   Identical commitment as under GATS.  
Similar:   Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
 limited improvements and/or limited additional reserv ations.  
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments (S/DCS/W/ISL/Rev.1), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in 2003) and Iceland's Schedules annexed to the Agreement.  
 
4.4.1.3   Business services  
4.25.   While most of Iceland's commitments in business services under the Agreement are identical 
to those under the GATS, some limitations essentially on commercial presence with respect to some 
legal services and some other professional services are added under the Agreement. Other 
limitations  on commercial presence related to research and development services on natural sciences  
are withdrawn . The coverage of the commitments is nevertheless largely similar as compared to the 
GATS.  
4.4.1.4   Financial services  
4.26.   Largely build ing upon its GATS commitments, Ice land's commitments in the Agreement are 
adjusted and partly rephrased to take into account the bilateral character of the Agreement. The 
coverage and extent of the commitments are similar to those under the  GATS.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 32 - 
 
  4.4.1.5   Recreational, cultural and sporting service s 
4.27.   Otherwise identical to Iceland's GATS  commitments made by Iceland for all sub -sectors, no 
specific commitments are made under the category "other" under the Agreement, while full 
commitments are made in the GATS for this particular subsector.  
4.4.1.6   Transport s ervices  
4.28.   While all GATS commitments are replicated under the Agreement, the coverage of 
commitments for computer reservations system services is expanded.  
4.4.1.7   Other services sectors  
4.29.   For other services sectors ( communication services; construction and related en gineering 
services; distribution services; education services; environmen tal services; health related and  social 
services; and tourism and travel related services ), the Agreement replicates Iceland's GATS 
commitments.  
4.4.2    Liechtenstein  
4.30.   In its GATS schedule, Liechtenstein has made commitments in a most services sectors, though 
leaving in particular construction and related engineering services and health related and social 
services unbound .60 Communication services, health related and social services, and trans port 
services were covered to a limited extent. Under the Agreement, the coverage of specific 
commitments essentially remains the same, with some improvements made with respect to some 
"other business", telecommunication, retailing, financial services, as well as with respect to hotels 
and restaurants services.  
4.4.2.1   MFN and horizontal commitments  
4.31.   Liechtenstein's GATS MFN exemptions cover certain measures, in all sectors, for the grant of 
work permits and temporary entry authorizations for EFTA and EU citizens, a s well as some measures 
related to European programmes and initiatives in the audio -visual services sector, also linked to 
production, distribution, and transmission of audio -visual work. Exemptions are also made for 
construction and related engineering se rvices (based on reciprocity); insurance and banking 
services, in the context of the monetary union with Switzerland, and under  its bilateral agreements 
on road transport. Like the other EFTA State s, it also makes an exemption for CRS and sales and 
marketi ng of air transport services. In Appendix 3 to Annex IX to the Agreement, which lists its MFN 
exemptions61, Liechtenstein replicates, with some adjustments, some of  its exemptions  registered 
under  GATS Article II.  Exemptions for distribution services, financial services, CRS and sales and 
marketing of air transport services are, however, dropped under the Agreement.  
4.32.   Liechtenstein's horizontal limitations in the GATS also cover certain measures impacting the 
provisi on of services through mode 3 (establishment of commercial presence , subject to the 
requirement that there is no objection for reasons of "national economy") and through mode 4 
(unbound except the temporary entry and stay of executives and senior managers,  and specialists). 
It makes s ome horizontal limitations on national treatment, for modes 1 and 2 for some subsidies 
and tax incentives and for mode 3 regarding the establishment and operation of forms of commercial 
presence, relating to its membership of the EEA. The Agreement repeats the limitations .62  
4.4.2.2   Sector specific commitments  
4.33.   The following section identifies some of the main differences, by sector, between 
Liechtenstein's GATS schedule and its sector -specific commitments under the Agreement. It should 
                                                
60 Source: I -TIP Services database (WTO and World Bank) , August 2018 . 
61 In Article 5.4 of the Agreement, each Party grants MFN t reatment to the other Party(ies) with respect 
to measures on trade in services, except as contained in each Party's List of MFN Exemption (Annex IX to the 
Agreement).  
62 See Section 4.3.4 above on movement of natural persons.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 33 - 
 
  also be read in conjunction with Appendix 3 to Annex VIII to the Agreement an Appendix 3 to Annex 
IX to the Agreement.  
4.34.   Liechtenstein's sector -specific commitments under the Agreement mirror to a very large 
extent its GATS commitments. Its sectoral and sub -sectoral commitments in the Agreement are 
consequently largely similar to those in its GATS Schedules.  
Table 4.2 Liechtenstein: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific 
commitments in trade in servi ces 
Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
1. Business services     
A. Professional  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Computer  and Related  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Research  and Development  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Real  Estate Services  --- Same  --- 
E. Rental/Leasing  Services  without  Operators  Partial  Same  Partial  
F. Other  Business  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
2. Communication services     
A. Postal  services  --- Same  --- 
B. Courier  services  --- Same  --- 
C. Telecommunication  services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Audiovisual  services  --- Same  --- 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General  construction  work for buildings  --- Same  --- 
B. General  construction  work for civil Engineering  --- Same  --- 
C. Installation  and assembly  work  --- Same  --- 
D. Building  completion  and finishing  work  --- Same  --- 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
4. Distribution services     
A. Commission  agents'  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Wholesale  trade services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Retailing  services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Franchising  Full Same  Full 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
5. Education services     
A. Primary education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Secondary education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Higher education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Adult education  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other education services  --- Same  --- 
6. Environmental services     
A. Sewage services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Refuse disposal services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Other  Partial  Same  Partial  
7. Financial services     
A. All insurance  and insurance -related  services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Banking  and other financial  services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
C. Other  --- Same  --- 
8. Health related and social services     
A. Hospital services  --- Same  --- 
B. Other Human Health Services  --- Same  --- 
C. Social Services  --- Same  --- 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels  and restaurants (including catering)  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Travel  agencies  and tour operators  services  Full Same  Full 
C. Tourist  guides  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services     
A. Entertainment  services  --- Same  --- 
B. News agency services  Full Same  Full 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services  --- Same  --- 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other  --- Same  --- WT/REG386/1  
 
- 34 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services  --- Same  --- 
B. Internal Waterways Transport  --- Same  --- 
C. Air Transport  Services  --- Same  --- 
D. Space  Transport  --- Same  --- 
E. Rail  Transport  Services  --- Same  --- 
F. Road  Transport  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
G. Pipeline  Transport  --- Same  --- 
H. Services  auxiliary  to all modes  of transport  Partial  Same  Partial  
I. Other  Transport  Services  --- Same  --- 
12. Other services not included elsewhere  --- Same  --- 
General Note:  MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered in 
the Table.  
Partial:   GATS commitments subject to some limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, 
 under any of the three modes.  
Full:  GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, 
 under any of the three modes.  
---:  No commitments under GATS.  
Improved:   Overall improved commitments made under the Agreement as compared to those under the 
 GATS.  
Same:   Identical commitment as under GATS.  
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments (S/DCS /W/LIE), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in  2003) and Liechtenstein's Schedules annexed to the Agreement.  
4.4.2.3   Business services  
4.35.   All Liechtenstein's specific commitments in the GATS are replicated  under the Agreement . 
Moreover, coverage in "other business service s" is expanded with the inclusion of commitments on 
translation and interpretation services, with limitations for  translation for official purposes.   
4.4.2.4   Communication services  
4.36.   While basic telecommunication services are unbound in the GATS, full commitments ar e made 
by the Agreement.63  
4.4.2.5   Distribution services  
4.37.   Under the Agreement, Liechtenstein makes additional commitments for retail sales of motor 
fuel (previously unbound under the GATS) .  
4.4.2.6   Financial services  
4.38.   Under the Agreement, Liechtenstein improves its GATS  commitments on mode 2. It also 
improves certain conditions ap plicable to commercial presence, with some limitations on banking 
and other financial services . 
4.4.2.7   Tourism and travel related services  
4.39.   While most commitments are identical to those in the GATS, commer cial presence 
commitments are made for hotels and restaurants.  
4.4.2.8   Other services sectors  
4.40.   For other services sectors ( construction and related engineering services; education services; 
environmental services; health related and social services; recreational an d cultural and sporting 
services; and transport services ), Liechtenstein replicates its GATS commitments.  
                                                
63 Covering voice telephone serv ices; packet -switched data transmission; circuit -switched data 
transmission; telex services; telegraph services; facsimile services; and private leased circuit services.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 35 - 
 
  4.4.3   Norway  
4.41.   In its GATS schedule, Norway has made commitments in most services sectors, though 
leaving health related and social services unbound .64 Recrea tional, cultural and sporting services, as 
well as transport services are covered to a limited extent. Under the Agreement, the coverage of 
specific commitments essentially remains the same, with some improvements in some business 
services, distribution se rvices, environmental services , financial services, and transport services.  
4.4.3.1   MFN and horizontal commitments  
4.42.   Norway's GATS MFN exemptions cover certain measures, in all sectors, aimed at promoting 
Nordic co -operation, as well as related to European programme s and initiatives in the audio -visual 
services sector, also linked to production, distribution, and transmission of audio -visual work. It also 
has a n exemption for existing and future road transport agreements. In Appendix 4 to Annex IX to 
the Agreement, w hich lists its MFN exemptions65, Norway replicates its GATS Article II exemptions. 
It also lists an additional exemption to reserve its right to adopt or maintain measures that accord 
differential treatment to countries under a bilateral or multilateral int ernational agreement in force, 
or signed after the date of entry into force of the Agreement involving maritime services.  
4.43.   Norway's GATS horizontal national treatment limitations cover essentially certain measures 
impacting on the provision of services thro ugh modes 3 and 4 (limitation on the purchase of real 
estate and requirement of a concession for the operation of certain forms of companies). It has some 
horizontal limitations on national treatment for all sectors on the treatment of branches and 
agencies, in relation to its membership of the EEA. Subsidies are unbound for modes 1 a nd 2 for all 
sectors. Under the Agreement, these commitments and related limitations are reiterated, while 
limitations are added for taxation. In mode 4, building on its GATS commitments, Norway also makes 
commitments, with limitations and conditions, for independent professionals .66 
4.4.3.2   Sector specific commitments  
4.44.   The following section identifies some of the main differences, by sector, between Norway's 
GATS schedule and its sector -specific commitments under the Agreement. It should also be read in 
conjunction with Appendix 4 to Annex VIII to the Agreement an Appendix 4 to Annex IX to the 
Agreement.  
4.45.   Norway's sector -specific commitments under the Agreement mirror to a very large extent its 
GATS commitments. Its sectoral and sub -sectoral commitments in the Agreement are consequently 
largely similar to those in its GATS Schedules.  
Table 4.3 Norway: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific commitments 
in trade in services   
Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to 
GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
1. Business services     
A. Professional  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Computer  and Related  Services  Full Same  Full 
C. Research  and Development  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Real  Estate Services  Partial  Similar  Partial  
E. Rental/Leasing  Services  without  Operators  Partial  Similar  Partial  
F. Other  Business  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
2. Communication services     
A. Postal  services  --- Same  --- 
B. Courier  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Telecommunication  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Audiovisual  services  --- Same  --- 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
                                                
64 Source: I -TIP Services database (WTO and World Bank) , August 2018 . 
65 In Article 5.4 of the Agreement, each Party grants MFN treatment to the other Party(ies) with respect 
to measures on trade in services, except as contained in each Party's List of MFN Exemption (Annex IX to the 
Agreement).  
66 See Section 4.3.4 above on movement of natural  persons.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 36 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to 
GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
3. Construction and related engineering services     
A. General  construction  work for buildings  Full Same  Full 
B. General  construction  work for civil Engineering  Full Same  Full 
C. Installation  and assembly  work  Full Same  Full 
D. Building  completion  and finishing  work  Full Same  Full 
E. Other  Partial  Same  Partial  
4. Distribution services     
A. Commission  agents'  services  --- New Partial  
B. Wholesale  trade services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
C. Retailing  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Franchising  Full Same  Full 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
5. Education services     
A. Primary education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Secondary education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Higher education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Adult education  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
6. Environmental services     
A. Sewage services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Refuse disposal services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Other  Partial  Improved  Partial  
7. Financial services     
A. All insurance  and insurance -related  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Banking  and other financial  services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
C. Other  --- Same  --- 
8. Health related and social services     
A. Hospital services  --- Same  --- 
B. Other Human Health Services  --- Same  --- 
C. Social Services  --- Same  --- 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels  and restaurants (including catering)  Full Same  Full 
B. Travel  agencies  and tour operators  services  Full Same  Full 
C. Tourist  guides  services  Full Same  Full 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
10. Recreational and  cultural and sporting services     
A. Entertainment  services  --- Same  --- 
B. News agency services  Full Same  Full 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural 
services  --- Same  --- 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  --- Same  --- 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Internal Waterways Transport  --- Same  --- 
C. Air  Transport  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Space  Transport  --- Same  --- 
E. Rail Transport  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
F. Road  Transport  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
G. Pipeline  Transport  --- New Partial  
H. Services  auxiliary  to all modes  of transport  Partial  Same  Partial  
I. Other  Transport  Services  --- Same  --- 
12. Other services not included elsewhere  --- Same  --- 
General Note:  MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered in 
the Table.  
Partial:   GATS commitments subject to some limitation(s) under market access or  national treatment, 
under any of the three modes.  
Full:  GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes.  
---:  No commitments under GATS.  
New:  New commitments made under the Agreement  (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved".  
Improved:  Overall improved commitments made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS.  
Same:   Identical commitment as under GATS.  
Similar:   Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or limited additional reservations.  
Source:   Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments (S/DCS/W/NOR), prepared by the 
Secreta riat (in  2003) and Norway's Schedules annexed to the Agreement.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 37 - 
 
  4.4.3.3   Business services  
4.46.   Real estate agency and real e state agent services under mode 1 (bound without limitation 
under the GATS) are unbound u nder the Agreement , though the coverage and the depth o f 
commitments are similar overall for all subsectors. In "other business services" however, coverage 
is expanded to also include services incidental to hunting (while those incidental to fishing covered 
under the GATS are unbound under the Agreement), serv ices incidental to mining, and convention 
services.  
4.4.3.4   Distribution services  
4.47.   Commitments are made for some commission agent services, with some limitations, while 
the entire subsector is unbound under the GATS.  Coverage is also expanded under the Agreement 
for wholesale trade services to include import and trade in fish and grain (excluded under the GATS).  
4.4.3.5   Environmental services  
4.48.   Improvements are  made both in terms of coverage and market access for the  protection of 
ambient air and climate; remediation and cle an-up of soil and water; and biodiversity  and the 
landscape . 
4.4.3.6   Financial services  
4.49.   In the Agreement, Norway replicates its GATS commitments for insurance and insurance -
related services, while additional national treatment is granted for the provision of some banking 
and other financial services through commercial presence, as compared to commitments made under 
the GATS . 
4.4.3.7   Transport services  
4.50.   Some commitments are made for the maintenance and repair of vessels (maritime transport 
services) an d ground  handling related to air transport services, which are unbound under the GATS. 
Moreover, pipeline transportation  and maintenance  and repair of road transport services (both 
unbound under the GATS)  are partially covered, with some limitations.   
4.4.3.8   Othe r services sectors  
4.51.   For the other services sectors ( communication services; construction and related engineering 
services; education services; health related and social services; tourism and travel related services; 
and recreational and cultural and sportin g services ), Norway replicates its GATS commitments.  
4.4.4   Switzerland  
4.52.   In its GATS schedule, Switzerland has made commitments in most services sectors, though 
leaving health related and social services unbound .67 Recreational, cultural and sporting services, as 
well as transport services are covered to a limited extent. Under the Agreement, the coverage of 
specific commitments essentially remains the same, with some improvements  in some business 
services, construction and related engineering services, educational  services, tourism and travel 
related services, and some transport services.  
4.4.4.1   MFN and horizontal commitments  
4.53.   Switzerland's GATS MFN exemptions cover measures related to audiovisual services and some 
transport services (some internal waterways transport and road transport services). Moreover, there 
are also elements of  the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and Liechtenstein and between 
Switzerland and the EU in relation to the movement of natural persons. In Appendix 5 to Annex IX 
                                                
67 Source: I -TIP Services database (WTO and World Bank) , August 2018 . WT/REG386/1  
 
- 38 - 
 
  to the Agreement, whi ch lists its MFN exemptions68, Switzerland replicates most of its GATS Article 
II exemptions. Exemptions for distribution services, financial services, CRS and sales and marketing 
of air transport services are, however, dropped under the Agreement.  
4.54.   Under th e GATS, Switzerland's horizontal limitations cover essentially certain measures that 
have an impact on the provision of services through mode 3 (e.g. certain domicile requirements for 
the governing board and limitations on the acquisition of real e state) and mode 4 (unbound except 
for measures concerning the temporary entry and stay of executives and senior managers, 
specialists, service salespersons, business visitors responsible for setting up commercial presence, 
persons who are employees of certain serv ice providers with special contracts and installers and 
maintainers). Subsidies are unbound for modes 1 and 2 for all sectors. The Agreement replicates 
Switzerland's GATS commitments. Nevertheless, with respect to mode 4, it expands the 
commitments to also  cover architectural services and urban planning services. Commitments are 
also made for installers and maintainers .69  
4.4.4.2   Sector specific commitments  
4.55.   The following section identifies some of the main differences, by sector, between Switzerland's 
GATS schedule  and its sector -specific commitments under the Agreement. It should also be read in 
conjunction with Appendix 5 to Annex VIII to the Agreement an Appendix 5 to Annex IX to the 
Agreement.  
4.56.   Switzerland's sector -specific commitments under the Agreement mirror  to a very large extent 
its GATS commitments. Its sectoral and sub -sectoral commitments in the Agreement are 
consequently largely similar to those in its GATS Schedules.  
Table 4.4 Switzerland: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific 
commitments in trade in services  
Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
1. Business services     
A. Professional  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Computer  and Related  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
C. Research  and Development  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Real  Estate Services  --- Same  --- 
E. Rental/Leasing  Services  without  Operators  Partial  Improved  Partial  
F. Other  Business  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
2. Communication services     
A. Postal  services  --- Same  --- 
B. Courier  services  --- Same  --- 
C. Telecommunication  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Audiovisual  services  --- Same  --- 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General  construction  work for buildings  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. General  construction  work for civil Engineering  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Installation  and assembly  work  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Building  completion  and finishing  work  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other  Partial  Improved  Partial  
4. Distribution services     
A. Commission  agents'  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Wholesale  trade services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Retailing  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Franchising  Full Same  Full 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
5. Education services     
A. Primary education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Secondary education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Higher education services  Full Same  Full 
D. Adult education  Full Same  Full 
                                                
68 In Article 5.4 of the Agreement, each Party grants MFN treatment to the other Party(ies) with respect 
to measures on trade in services, except as contained in each Party's Lis t of MFN Exemption (Annex IX to the 
Agreement).  
69 See Section 4.3.4 above on movement of natural persons.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 39 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
E. Other education services  --- New Partial  
6. Environmental services     
A. Sewage services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Refuse disposal services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Other  Partial  Improved  Partial  
7. Financial services     
A. All insurance  and insurance -related  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  
B. Banking  and other financial  services  Partial  Similar  Partial  
C. Other  --- Same  --- 
8. Health related and social services     
A. Hospital services  --- Same  --- 
B. Other Human Health Services  --- Same  --- 
C. Social Services  --- Same  --- 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels  and restaurants (including catering)  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Travel  agencies  and tour operators  services  Full Same  Full 
C. Tourist  guides  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services     
A. Entertainment  services  --- Same  --- 
B. News  agency services  Full Same  Full 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services  --- Same  --- 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services  --- New Partial  
B. Internal Waterways Transport  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Air  Transport  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Space  Transport  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Rail  Transport  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
F. Road  Transport  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
G. Pipeline  Transport  --- Same  --- 
H. Services  auxiliary  to all modes  of transport  Partial  Improved  Partial  
I. Other  Transport  Services  --- Same  --- 
12. Other services not included elsewhere  --- Same  --- 
General Note:  MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered in 
the Table.  
Partial:   GATS commitments subject to some limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, 
under any of the three modes.  
Full:  GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes.  
---:  No commitments under GATS.  
New:  New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved".  
Improved:  Overall improved commitments made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS.  
Same:   Identical commitment as under GATS.  
Similar:   Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or l imited additional reservations.  
Source:   Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments (S/DCS/W/CHE), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in  2003) and Switzerland's Schedules annexed to the Agreement.  
4.4.4.3   Business  services  
4.57.   Switzerland builds on its GATS commitments and enlarges the scope to cover also, inter alia, 
under professional services, some forms of legal services  and some bookkeeping services ; under 
computer and related services, some training services; and some additional leasing or rental 
services. Coverage is also expanded for some other business services (some outdoor advertising 
services; related scientific and technical consulting services; telephone answering services; 
duplication services; mailing li st compilation and mailing services; speciality design services and 
agency services on behalf of individual performers ).  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 40 - 
 
  4.4.4.4   Construction services  
4.58.   Switzerland builds on its GATS commitments to expand coverage for some special trade 
construction work and renti ng services related to construction equipment.  
4.4.4.5   Education services  
4.59.   The commitments are, like under the GATS, restricted to private education services and 
remain unchanged for most sub -sectors. Coverage is nevertheless expanded with the introduction 
of commi tments in the fields of teaching of national languages of Georgia and languages of State s 
adjacent to Georgia,  and cooking.  
4.4.4.6   Environmental services  
4.60.   Under the Agreement, Switzerland covers the provision of a number of services classified 
under the category " other environmental services" through mode 1 (unbound under GATS) . 
4.4.4.7   Financial services  
4.61.   Largely based upon its GATS commitments, Switzerland 's commitments, while formulated 
slightly differently under the Agreement, remain substantially similar  to those in the  GATS. The 
provision of financial services through mode 2 (market access) is however not covered under the 
Agreement.  
4.4.4.8   Tourism  and travel related services  
4.62.   Market access and national treatment limitations are dropped for commercial presence for 
hotels and restaurants , as compared to Switzerland's commitments under the GATS .  
4.4.4.9   Transport services  
4.63.   Maritime transport services, unbound under the GATS, are partly covered under the 
Agreement, with some limitations. Commitments are also made  for some mari time auxiliary 
services. Building on Switzerland's GATS commitments in air transport services, the Agreement 
covers, with a few limitations, maintenance and repair services . The coverage for road transport 
services is also improved as compared to Switzerla nd's GATS commitments.  
4.4.4.10   Other services sectors  
4.64.   For other sectors ( communication services; distribution services; health related and social 
services; and recreational and cultural and sporting services ), Switzerland replicates its GATS 
commitments.  
4.4.5   Georgia  
4.65.   In its GATS schedule, Georgia has made commitments in all services sectors, though leaving 
some subsectors unbound .70 Transport services are covered to a limited extent. Under the 
Agreement, specific commitments essentially remain the same, with some improv ements made for 
some business services, communication services, educational tourism and travel related services, 
and some transport services (essentially maritime and internal waterways transport).  
4.4.5.1   MFN and horizontal commitments  
4.66.   Georgia 's GATS MFN exemptio ns cover some business services, audiovidual services with 
respect to cinematographic activities, as well as some transport services (road transport) and, 
                                                
70 Source: I -TIP Services database (WTO and World Bank) , August 2018 . WT/REG386/1  
 
- 41 - 
 
  generally, require reciprocity. In Appendix 1 to Annex IX to the Agreement, which lists its MFN 
exemp tions71, Georgia replicates GATS  Article II exemptions.  
4.67.    Under the GATS, Georgia 's horizontal limitations cover mainly market access exemptions in 
relation to privatization , real e state purchase limitations,  and mode 4  related  requirements . All its 
horizont al limitations are replicated under the Agreement. Nevertheless, additional mode 4 related 
commitments are made for installers and maintainers .72 
4.4.5.2   Sector specific commitments  
4.68.   The following section identifies some of the main differences, by sector, between G eorgia's 
GATS schedule and its sector -specific commitments under the Agreement. It should also be read in 
conjunction with Appendix 1 to Annex VIII to the Agreement an Appendix 1 to Annex IX to the 
Agreement.  
4.69.   Georgia's sector -specific commitments under th e Agreement mirror to a very large extent its 
GATS commitments. Its sectoral and sub -sectoral commitments in the Agreement are consequently 
largely similar to those in its GATS Schedules.  
Table 4.5 Georgia : comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific commitments 
in trade in services  
Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to 
GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
1. Business services     
A. Professional  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Computer  and Related  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Research  and Development  Services  Full Same  Full 
D. Real  Estate Services  Full Same  Full 
E. Rental/Leasing  Services  without  Operators  Partial  Improved  Partial  
F. Other  Business  Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
2. Communication services     
A. Postal  services  --- Same  --- 
B. Courier  services  Full Same  Full 
C. Telecommunication  services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
D. Audiovisual  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General  construction  work for buildings  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. General  construction  work for civil Engineering  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Installation  and assembly  work  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Building  completion  and finishing  work  Partial  Same  Partial  
E. Other  Partial  Same  Partial  
4. Distribution services     
A. Commission  agents'  services  Full Same  Full 
B. Wholesale  trade services  Full Same  Full 
C. Retailing  services  Full Same  Full 
D. Franchising  Full Same  Full 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
5. Education services     
A. Primary education services  Full Same  Full 
B. Secondary education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Higher education services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Adult education  Full Same  Full 
E. Other education services  --- New Partial  
6. Environmental services     
A. Sewage services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Refuse disposal services  Partial  Same  Partial  
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Other  Partial  Same  Partial  
7. Financial services     
A. All insurance  and insurance -related  services  Partial  Same  Partial  
B. Banking  and other financial  services  Full Same  Full 
                                                
71 In Article 5.4 of the Agreement, each Party grants MFN treatment to the other P arty(ies) with respect 
to measures on trade in services, except as contained in each Party's List of MFN Exemption (Annex IX to the 
Agreement).  
72 See Section 4.3.4 above on movement of natural persons.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 42 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification)  GATS  
Sectoral 
Commitments  RTA 
Compared to 
GATS  Sectoral 
commitments  
C. Other  --- Same  --- 
8. Health related and social services     
A. Hospital services  Full Same  Full 
B. Other Human Health Services  Full Same  Full 
C. Social Services  Full Same  Full 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels  and restaurants (including catering)  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Travel  agencies  and tour operators  services  Full Same  Full 
C. Tourist  guides  services  Full Same  Full 
D. Other  --- Same  --- 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services     
A. Entertainment  services  Full Same  Full 
B. News agency services  Full Same  Full 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services  Full Same  Full 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Full Same  Full 
E. Other  --- Same  --- 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services  Partial  Improved  Partial  
B. Internal Waterways Transport  --- New Partial  
C. Air  Transport  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
D. Space  Transport  --- Same  --- 
E. Rail  Transport  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
F. Road  Transport  Services  Partial  Same  Partial  
G. Pipeline  Transport  --- Same  --- 
H. Services  auxiliary  to all modes  of transport  Partial  Same  Partial  
I. Other  Transport  Services  --- Same  --- 
12. Other services not included elsewhere  --- Same  --- 
General Note:  MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments  / limitations not considered in 
the Table.  
Partial:   GATS commitments subject to some limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, 
under any of the three modes.  
Full:  GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or natio nal treatment, 
 under any of the three modes.  
---:  No commitments under GATS.  
New:  New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved".  
Improved:  Overall improved commi tments made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS.  
Same:   Identical commitment as under GATS.  
Source:  Georgia's Schedule of Specific Commitments under GATS (GATS/SC/129), dated 20 December 2000,  
and Georgia 's Schedules annexed to the Agreement.  
4.4.5.3   Business services  
4.70.   Georgia  expands the c overage of its GATS commitments to cover also leasing or rental 
services concerning personal and household goods when provided through commercial presence . It 
also covers, partl y, building cleaning services (unbound under the GATS).  
4.4.5.4   Communication services  
4.71.   The commitments made under the GATS are replicated under the Agreement . 
4.4.5.5   Educational services  
4.72.   Georgia's GATS commitments are replicated. Other education services (CPC 929) that are 
unbound under the GATS are also covered under the Agreement without any limitation.  
4.4.5.6   Tourism and travel related services  
4.73.   While all commitments made by Georgia under the GATS are also made  under the Agreement, 
coverage is expanded to cover, without limita tion, catering services and other lodging services . WT/REG386/1  
 
- 43 - 
 
  4.4.5.7   Transport services  
4.74.   The limitations by Georgia in its GATS commitments for some maritime transport services are 
partially withdrawn under the Agreement and the coverage for supporting services for maritime 
transport is expanded. The expansion of the coverage of Georgia's commitments also applies to 
internal waterways transport.  
4.4.5.8   Other services sectors  
4.75.   For other sectors (construction and related engineering services; distribution services; 
environmental services; financial services; health related and social services; and recreational and 
cultural and sporting services), Georgia  replicates its GATS commitments.  
4.5  Regulatory provisions  
4.5.1   Domestic regulation  
4.76.   Each Party shall ensure that the measures of general application affecting trade in services 
are administered in a reasonable, objective  and impartial manner (Article 5 .8). Judicial , arbitral or 
administrative tribunal or procedures shall be maintained or instituted as soon as practicable by the 
Parties. Where authorization is required for the supply of a service, the competent authorities of 
each Party shall, within a reasonable per iod of time, inform the applicant of the decisi on concerning 
the application. Each Party shall ensure that measures relating to qualification requirements and 
procedures, technical standards, and licensing requirements and procedures are based on objective  
and transparent criteria, such as competence and the ability to supply the service.  
4.77.   If the results of the negotiations on paragraph 4 of Article VI of the GATS enter into effect, 
and on qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and li censing requirements 
and procedures, a decision aiming at incorporating into the Agreement any resulting disciplines  shall 
be taken . Pending such incorporation or the incorporation of disciplines developed jointly or 
bilaterally, the Parties shall not appl y qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards 
and licensing requirements and procedures that nullify or impair their specific commitments in a 
manner which is more burdensome than necessary to ensure the quality of the service or, in the  
case of licensing procedures, not in itself a restriction on the supply of the service.  
4.78.   Regarding professional services, adequate procedures to verify the competence of 
professionals of any other Party, shall be provided for.  
4.5.2   Recognition  
4.79.   Article 5 .9 cont ains specific provisions on the recognition of qualifications. It prescribes, inter 
alia, that, for standards or criteria for the authorization, licensing or certification of service suppliers, 
recognition of the education or experience obtained, requireme nts met, or licences or certifications 
granted in that other Party, may be granted upon agreement or otherwise be accorded 
autonomously.  
4.80.   Where a Party recognizes, by agreement or arrangement, the education or experience 
obtained, requirements met, or licen ces or certifications granted in a third-party, that Party shall 
afford another Party adequate opportunity to negotiate its accession to such agreement or 
arrangement, whether existing or future, or to negotiate a comparable agreement or arrangement 
with i t. Where a Party accords recognition autonomously, it shall afford adequate opportunity for 
another Party to demonstrate that the education or experience obtained, requirement met, or 
licences or certification granted in the other Party, should also be rec ognised. Recognition accorded 
through agreement, arrangement or autonomously shall be in conformity with the relevant 
provisions of the WTO Agreement.73 
                                                
73 In particular paragraph 3 of Article VII of the GATS . WT/REG386/1  
 
- 44 - 
 
  4.5.3   Subsidies  
4.81.   Consultations74 are foreseen if a Party considers that it is adversely affected by a subsidy of  
another Party.  
4.82.   The Parties shall review any disciplines agreed under Article XV of the GATS wit h a view to 
incorporating them into Chapter 5.  
4.83.   In each of the Parties' Schedules of specific commitments, subsidies to services are 
systematically carved out of the coverage of provisions related to national treatment and market 
access.  
4.5.4   Safeguards  
4.84.   The Parties shall endeavour to avoid the imposition of  restrictions to safeguard the balance of 
paymen ts. Nevertheless, under Article 5 .15, the Parties maintain their WTO rights and obligations 
in respect of serious balance of payments difficulties as established by Article XII of the GATS , which 
is incorpora ted into and made part of Chapter 5 . Notification obligations are linked to the use of such 
rights.75 
4.5.5   Other  
4.5.5.1   Monopolies and exclusive service suppliers  
4.85.   Paragraphs 1, 2 and 5 of Article VIII of the GATS shall apply and are incorporated into and 
made part of C hapter 5 (Article 5.12).  
4.5.5.2   Business practices  
4.86.   Article IX of the GATS shall apply and are incorporated into and made part of Chapter 5 
(Article 5.13).  
4.6  Sector specific provisions on trade in services  
4.6.1    Financial services  
4.87.   Annex X to the Agreement , referred to in  Article 5.21,  contains additional disciplines on trade 
in financial services. Most of the provisions are based on the GATS Annex on financial services and 
on the Understanding on Commitments in Financial Services (FSU). Other provisions, not based on 
the GATS Annex or the FSU, relate for instance to transparency and domestic regulation.  
4.88.   Each Party shall grant, on a national treatment basis, to financial service suppliers of any 
other Party established in its territory, access to payments and clearing syst ems operated by public 
entities and to official funding and refinancing facilities available in the normal course of ordinary 
business  (Article 2 of Annex X) . This is not intended to confer access to the Party's lender of last 
resort facilities. Where memb ership or participation in, or access to, a self -regulatory body, securities 
or futures exchange or market, clearing agency, or any other organization or association, is required 
by a Party in order for financial service suppliers of any other Party to sup ply financial services on 
an equal basis with financial service suppliers of the Party, the Party shall ensure that such entities 
accord national treatment to financial service suppliers of any other Party resident in its territory, in 
the scheduled sector s and subject to any conditions and qualifications set out therein. The same 
applies where the Party provides directly or indirectly such entities, privileges or advantages in 
supplying financial services.  
4.89.   Transparency provisions, in addition to the generi c ones in the Agreement, are contained in 
Article 3 of Annex X. They relate, inter alia , to the provision, to interested persons, of domestic 
requirements and procedures for completing applications for the supply of financial services, or the 
                                                
74 Such consultations shall be without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the Parties under 
Chapter 12 (Dispute settlement) or under the WTO dispute settlement understanding.  
75 A similar provision is in Chapter 6, for establishment (See Section 4. 7). WT/REG386/1  
 
- 45 - 
 
  publication o f requirements for licences. Applications for the supply of financial services submitted 
by service suppliers of other Parties shall be processed expeditiously (Article  4 of Annex X). 
4.90.   Notwithstanding a ny other provisions of Chapter 5  of the Agreement, a Pa rty shall not be 
prevented from adopting or maintaining reasonable measures for prudential reasons, including for 
the protection of investors, depositors, policy -holders, policy -claimants, persons to whom a fiduciary 
duty is owed by a financial service sup plier, or any similar financial market participants or users; 
ensuring the integrity and stability of that Party's financial system; or the maintenance of the safety, 
soundness, integrity or financial responsibility of financial services suppliers. Such me asures shall 
not be more burdensome than necessary to achieve their aim, shall not constitute a disguised 
restriction on trade in services and shall not di scriminate. Nothing in Chapter 5  shall be construed 
to require a Party to disclose information relati ng to the affairs and accounts of individual customers 
or any confidential or proprietary information in the possession of public entities.  
4.91.   Where prudential measures of a third -party are recognized by a Party in determining how 
financial services measures  shall be applied, it shall afford adequate opportunity for another Party 
to negotiate its accession to such an agreement or arrangement, or to negotiate a comparable 
agreement or arrangement with it. In case of autonomous recognition, adequate opportunity  shall 
be afforded to another Party to demonstrate that similar treatment should be applicable to it (Article 
6 of Annex X).  
4.92.   No Party shall take measures that prevent the transfer of information into or out of its territory 
or the processing of financial i nformation, including transfers of data by electronic means, or that, 
subject to importation rules that are consistent with international agreements to which all Parties 
are part y, prevent the transfer of equipment, where such transfers of information, pro cessing of 
financial information or transfers of equipment are necessary for the conduct of ordinary business 
of a financial service supplier of another Party (Article 7 of Annex X). Nothing in Article 7 restricts 
the right of a Party to protect personal d ata, personal privacy and the confidentiality of individual 
records and accounts so long as such right is not used to circum vent the provisions of Chapter 5  of 
the Agreement .  
4.6.2   Telecommunications services  
4.93.   Annex XI to the Agreement, referred to in Article 5. 21, contains additional disciplines on 
telecommunications services. Most of the provisions are based on the GATS Annex on 
telecommunications complemented by the Reference paper developed by the Negotiating Group on 
Basic Telecommunications. Annex XI covers  topics such as competitive safeguards for the purpose 
of preventing suppliers that engag e in ant i-competitive practices (Article 2 of Annex XI ); 
interconnection (Article 3 of Annex XI ); universal service (Article 4 of Annex XI ); licensing 
procedure s (Article 5 of Annex XI ); regulatory authority (Article 6 of Annex XI ) and scarce resources 
(Article 7 of Annex XI ).  
4.6.3   Maritime transport and related services  
4.94.   Annex XII to the Agreement, referred to in Article 5.21, contains additional disciplines on 
mariti me transport and related services. Annex XII covers topics such as non-discriminatory market 
access (Article 3 of Annex XII); applicability of national laws (Article 4 of Annex XII); recognition of 
vessel documents (Article 5 of Annex XII); identi ty docume nts, entry and transit of seafarers (Article 
6 of Annex XII); recruitment and training (Article 7 of Annex XII); terms of employment (Article 8 
of Annex XII); rules on labour disputes (Article 9 of Annex XII); and assistance in cases of offences 
committed by crew on board the vessel (Article 10 of Annex XII) .  
4.6.4   Energy related services  
4.95.   Annex XIII to the Agreement, referred to in Article 5.21, contains additional disciplines on 
energy related services. This Annex applies to measures affecting trade in energy r elated services, 
irrespective of the energy source, technology used, whether the energy source is renewable or no n-
renewable, and whether the service is supplied onshore or offshore . It recognizes the Parties' 
sovereignty and sovereign rights over energy r esources as well as their right to regulate and 
introduce or maintain measures affecting trade in energy related services in order to meet legitimate WT/REG386/1  
 
- 46 - 
 
  national policy objectives. The Annex establishes some transparency disciplines as well as some 
guidelines  relating to the formulation of technical standards.  
4.7  Investment  
4.96.   The disciplines covering commercial presence for services sectors are contained in Chapter 5 
(on trade in services).  
4.97.   In addition, Chapter 6 , on establishment , applies to commercial presence i n sectors other 
than services sectors covered by Chapter 5 (on trade in services).76 Chapter 6 is nevertheless without 
prejudice to the interpretation or application of other international agreements on investment or 
taxation to which one or several EFTA States and Georgia are party.  
4.98.   Articles 6.3 provide s that each Party shall accord national treatment to juridical and natural 
persons of another Party and to the commercial presence of such persons, subject to their 
reservations in Annex XIV. Article 6.4 allo ws for the modification, removal or the incorporation of 
new reservations. A Party may add a new reservation, through a written notification to the other 
Parties  is required. Such addition may be made provided that the new reservation  does not affect 
the overall level of commitments of that Party under the Agreement. This may trigger consultation 
amongst the Parties. The Party's lists of reservations are contained in, respectively, Appendixes 1 
through 5 to Annex XIV  and are summarized in Table 4.6  below.  
Table 4.6 Summary of the Parties' National Treatment reservations for commercial 
presence in sectors other than services  
Sector(s) / Subsector(s)  Reservation  
GEORGIA   
Fishing  Residency requirement for the grant of fishing licence.  
Agriculture (Agricultural 
cooperation)  Nationality requirement, though conditional right may be given to be 
an associated member of an agricultural cooperative.  
Agriculture (Purchas e of State  
owned agricultural land)  Nationality requirement to purchase State  owned agricultural land. 
General reservation to maintain or adopt any measure.  
Power and Energy  General reservation to maintain or adopt any measure.  
ICELAND   
All Residency requirement for the majority of  the founders, managers and 
at least half of the board of directors.  
All Nationality requirement for ownership of real e state (with exceptions)  
Fisheries (fishing, whaling)  Nationality requirement for conducting fishing operations within the 
Icelandic fisheries jurisdiction.  
Fisheries (fish processing)  Nationality requirement for fish processing in Iceland.  
Fisheries (fish auctioning)  Nationality requirement (extended to EEA States , EFTA States , and the 
Faroe Islands) for engaging in fish auctioning in Iceland.  
Energy (production and 
distribution)  Nationality requirement (extended to EEA States , EFTA States , and the 
Faroe Islands) for owning the right to harness hydroelectric and 
geothermal power other than for own personal home use. The same 
applies  to investment in enterprises engage d in power production and 
power distribution.  
LIECHTENSTEIN   
All Establishment of commercial presence subject to a no objection for 
reasons of national economy requirement.  
All Prior residence requirement for the establishment of commercial 
presence by an individual.  
Residency requirement for managers and the majority of the 
administrators.  
All Acquisition of real e state subject to authorisation.  
Power and energy  General reservation to maintain or adopt any measure.  
NORWAY   
All Residency requirement for the manager in a joint stock company and 
at least half of the members of the board of directors of the corporate 
assembly.  
Note: criteria not applicable to EEA member States  with status of 
permanent resident.  
Power and energy  General reservation to maintain or adopt any measure  
                                                
76 Services specifically exempted from the scope of Chapter 5 do not fall under the scope of Chapter  6. WT/REG386/1  
 
- 47 - 
 
  Sector(s) / Subsector(s)  Reservation  
Repair of transport equipment  General reservation to maintain or adopt any measure (though all 
activities in the sector shall be treated as services under the 
Agreement)  
Fishing and fish processing  Nationality requirement for acquiring the concession required for the 
acquisition or sharing of fishing vessel.  
Limitation o n the ownership of shares and voting rights for foreigners.  
Performance requirement for operation of a fishing fleet.  
Nationality requirement for certain operations (processing, packing, 
transhipment).  
All (IPRs)  General reservation on collective copyright and neighbouring rights' 
management systems; royalties, levies, grants  and funds.  
SWITZERLAND   
All Residency requirement for at least one member of the governing body 
of certain types of corporations, companies, and cooperative s. 
Residency requirement for at least one person of a branch office.  
All Authorization (at cantonal level) required for the acquisition of real 
estate when the acquirer does not use the property to operate a 
permanent establishment.  
Energy (oil prospection and 
exploitation)  Nationality requirement for the granting of oil concessions  
Energy (nuclear energy)  Nationality or subsidiary requirement for the granting of concessions 
to construct and operate nuclear facilities.  
Energy (hydroelectric power)  Public interest considerations taken into account when granting 
concessions.  
Energy (pipeline s) Registration in Switzerland (office and management presence) is 
required for foreign -owned or controlled companies.  
 
4.99.   The Parties may adopt, maintain or enforce any measure consistent with Chapter 6 and 
Annex  XIV that is in the public interest, including measures to meet health, safety or environmental 
concerns and reasonable measures for prudential purposes (Article 6.6, paragraph  1). Moreover, a 
Party shall not waive or otherwise derogate from, or offer to wa ive or otherwise derogate from, such 
measures as an encouragement for the establishment, acquisition, expansion or retention in that 
Party of a commercial presence of persons of another Party or a third -party (Article 6.6, 
paragraph  2).  
4.100.   All the discipline s related to restrictions to safeguard the balance of payment which apply to 
trade in services covered under Chapter 5 are also applicable to establishment (Article 6.9).  
4.101.   Chapter 6 shall be subject to periodic review regarding the possibility to further de velop the 
Parties' commitments. Moreover, as part of this review, the Parties undertake to review at least 
every three years the status of the reservations set out in Annex XIV with a view to reducing  or 
removing such reservations.   
5  GENERAL PROVISIONS O F THE AGREEMENT  
5.1  Transparency  
5.1.  Article 1.6  covers general transparency disciplines related to publication; responses to specific 
questions and provision of information; and non -disclosure of confidential information, in addition to 
specific transparency provisi ons in the Agreement .77 Moreover, Article 5.11  establishes that, with 
respect to the rights and obligations of the Parties concerning transparency in services, paragraphs 
1 and 2 of Article III and Article III bis of the GATS are incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement.  Specific transparency disciplines are also contained in Article 6.7 (establishment).  
5.2  Current payments and capital movements  
5.2.  With respect to trade in services and establishment, e xcept under situations requiring 
safeguarding the bala nce of payments78, a Party shall not apply restrictions on international transfers 
and payments for current transaction s with another Party relating to commercial presence activities 
                                                
77 In case of any inconsistency between Article 1.6 and provisions relating to transparency in other parts 
of the Agreement, the latter shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.  
78 See Articles 5.15 and 6.9.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 48 - 
 
  in services and non -services sectors (Articles 5 .14 and 6.8). The Parties nevertheless keep their full 
rights and obligations under the IMF agreement.  
5.3  Exceptions  
5.3.1   General exception  
5.3.  With respect to trade in goods, Article XX of the GATT 1994 shall apply to and is incorporated 
into and made part of the Agreement (Article 2.17 ), while, with respect to  trade in services and 
investment, Article XIV of the GATS applies to and is incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement (Articles 4.16, 5.17, and 6.10 ). 
5.3.2   Security exception  
5.4.  With respect to trade in goods, Article XXI of the GA TT 1994 shall apply to and is incorporated 
into and made part of the Agree ment (Article 2.18 ), while, for trade in services  and investment , 
paragraph 1 of Article XIV bis of the GATS applies to and is incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement (Articl es 4.17, 5.17, and 6.11 ). 
5.4  Accession and Withdrawal  
5.5.  Any State  joining EFTA may accede to the Agreement, provided that the Joint Committee 
approves its  accession (Article 13.3 ).  
5.6.  Article 13.4  addresses withdrawal and expiration. Any EFTA State  which withdraw s from the 
Convention establishing the EFTA shall, ipso facto , cease to be a Party to the Agreement. If all EFTA 
State s or Georgia  withdraw from the Agreement, it shall be terminated as of the date when the 
withdrawal has taken effect for all EFTA State s or Georgia . 
5.5  Institutional framework  
5.7.  The Agreement establishes the EFTA – Georgia  Joint Committee (Joint  Committee), inter alia , 
to supervise and review the implementation of the Agreement (Article 11). Besides the Sub -
Committee on Trade in Goods, establishe d by Article 2.11, the Joint Committee may decide to set 
up such sub -committees and working groups as it considers necessary to assist it in accomplishing 
its tasks. The Joint Committee shall take decisions and make recommendations by consensus. It can 
also adopt decisions  and make recommendations on issues related to Georgia  and one or more EFTA 
State s. The vote shall in such cases only be taken among the Parties concerned.  
5.6  Dispute settlement  
5.8.  Chapter 12 of the Agreement establishes a dispute settlement mechanism between th e Parties 
on the interpretation and application of the Agreement. Disputes arising on the same matter under 
the Agreement and the WTO Agreements may be settled in either forum at the discretion of the 
complaining Party. Once the forum is selected, it shall  be used to the exclusion of the other in respect 
of the matter under dispute. Before a Party initiates a dispute against another Party under the WTO 
Agreement, the initiating Party shall notify all other Parties (Article 12.1).  
5.9.  Good offices, conciliation and mediation are procedures that are undertaken voluntarily if the 
Parties so agree. They may begin and be terminated at any time and may continue while proceedings 
of an arbitration panel established in accordance with Chapter 12 are in progress. These proceedings  
shall be confidential and without prejudice to the Parties' rights in any further proceedings 
(Article  12.2).  
5.10.   The Parties shall at all times endeavour to agree on the interpretation and application of the 
Agreement, and shall make every attempt to reach a mutually satisfactory solution through 
cooperation and consultations (Article 12.3). Requests for consultation shall be made in writing and 
shall be replied to within 10 days. Consultations shall commence within 30 days from the date of 
receipt of the request (15 days for urgent matters). A Party that considers that it has a substantial 
trade interest in the matter may participate in the consultations.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 49 - 
 
  5.11.   An Arbitration Panel may be requested and established (Article 12.4), if the dispute is not 
resolved through consultations within 60  days (3 0 days for urgent matters). A copy of the request 
should also be made available to other Parties to the Agreement not involved in the dispute so that 
they may determine whether to participate in the arbitration process. The Panel shall comprise three 
members who shall be appointed in accordance with the "Optional Rules for Arbitrating Disputes 
between Two State s of the Permanent Court of Arbitration", which shall also govern the procedures 
of the panel, unless ot herwise agreed between the Parties. The panel shall normally present its initial 
report within 90 days from the date of its establishment (Article 12.6). The ruling by the panel is 
final and binding on the disputing Parties. Suspension or termination of ar bitration panel proceedings 
is regulated in Article 12.7.  
5.12.   The Party complained against shall promptly comply with the ruling or, at least, within a 
reasonable period of time that the Parties shall endeavour to agree on. In the a bsence of an 
agreement withi n 45 days from the date of the issuance of the final report, either Party to the dispute 
may request the original arbitration panel to determine the length of the reasonable period of time, 
in light of the particular circumstances of the case. The arbitrat ion pa nel shall normally rule within 
90 days from the date of receipt of that request. The Party complained against shall notify the other 
party to the dispute of the measure adopted to comply with the ruling. In case of disagreement on 
the implementation of the final report, a ruling on the implementation may be requested and shall 
be decided before possible compensation can be sought or suspension of benefits can be applied.  
5.13.   Compensation and suspension of benefits shall be temporary and only applied by th e 
complaining Party until the measure or other matter found to be inconsistent with the Agreement, 
has been withdrawn or amended so as to bring it into conformity with the Agreement, or until the 
parties to the dispute have resolved the dispute otherwise ( Article  12.9). At the request of a party 
to the dispute, the original arbitration panel shall rule on the conformity with the final report of any 
implementing measures adopted after the suspension of benefits and, in light of such ruling, whether 
the suspe nsion of benefits should be terminated or modified. The ruling of the arbitration panel shall 
be made  within 45 days from receipt of that request (Article 12.9).  
5.7  Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties  
5.14.   The Parties confirm their rights a nd obligations under the WTO Agreement and the other 
agreements negotiated thereunder to which they are party, and any other international agreement 
to which they are party. If a Party considers that the maintenance or establishment of customs 
unions, free  trade areas, arrangements for frontier trade or other preferential agreements by another 
Party has the effect of altering the trade regime provided for by the Agreement, it may request 
discussions with the Party concluding such agreement. That Party shall  afford an opportunity for 
such discussions with t he requesting Party (Article  1.4). 
5.15.   Table 5.1 below shows the Parties' participation in RTAs, notified and non -notified, other than 
the Agreement.  
Table 5.1 Participation in other RTAs (notified and non -notified in force), as of 
26 November 2018  
RTA Name  Date of 
entry into 
force  Coverage  GATT/WTO Notification  
Year WTO Provision  
EFTA States - Collectively  
EFTA – Philippines  01-Jun-18 Goods & 
Services  2018 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  01-Jan-15 Goods  2015 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Central America  
(Costa Rica and Panama)  19-Aug-14 Goods & 
Services  2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Hong Kong, China  01-Oct-12 Goods & 
Services  2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Montenegro  01-Sep-12 Goods  2012 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Ukraine  01-Jun-12 Goods & 
Services  2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Colombia  01-Jul-11 Goods & 
Services  2011 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 50 - 
 
  RTA Name  Date of 
entry into 
force  Coverage  GATT/WTO Notification  
Year WTO Provision  
EFTA - Peru 01-Jul-11 Goods  2011 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Albania  01-Nov-10 Goods  2011 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Serbia  01-Oct-10 Goods  2010 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Canada  01-Jul-09 Goods  2009 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Southern African 
Customs Union (SACU)  01-May-08 Goods  2008 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Egypt  01-Aug-07 Goods  2007 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Lebanon  01-Jan-07 Goods  2006 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Republic of Korea  01-Sep-06 Goods & 
Services  2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Tunisia  01-Jun-05 Goods  2005 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Chile 01-Dec-04 Goods & 
Services  2004 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Singapore  01-Jan-03 Goods & 
Services  2003 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Jordan  01-Sep-02 Goods  2002 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - The former 
Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia  01-May-02 Goods  2000 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA – Mexico* 01-Jul-01 Goods & 
Services  2001 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Morocco  01-Dec-99 Goods  2000 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Palestinian 
Authority  01-Jul-99 Goods  1999 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Israel  01-Jan-93 Goods  1992 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Turkey  01-Apr-92 Goods  1992 GATT Art. XXIV  
EFTA - Accession of 
Iceland  01-Mar-70 Goods  1970 GATT Art. XXIV  
European Free Trade 
Association (EFTA)  03-May-
60(G)  
01-Jun-
02(S)  Goods & 
Services  1959(G)  
2002(S)  GATT Art. XXIV  
GATS Art. V  
EFTA - Gulf Cooperation 
Council (GCC)  01-Jul-14 Goods & 
Services  Not notified  
Individual EFTA States  
Iceland - China  01-Jul-14 Goods & 
Services  2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
Switzerland - China  01-Jul-14 Goods & 
Services  2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
Japan  - Switzerland  01-Sep-09 Goods & 
Services  2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
Iceland - Faroe Islands  01-Nov-06 Goods & 
Services  2008 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
Faroe Islands - 
Switzerland  01-Mar-95 Goods  1996 GATT Art. XXIV  
European Economic Area 
(EEA)* * 01-Jan-94 Services  1996 GATS Art. V  
Faroe Islands – Norway  01-Jul-93 Goods  1996 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - Norway** 01-Jul-73 Goods  1973 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - Iceland** 01-Apr-73 Goods  1972 GATT Art. XXIV  
EU - Switzerland -
Liechtenstein** 01-Jan-73 Goods  1972 GATT Art. XXIV  
Iceland - Greenland  01-Feb-85 Goods  Not notified  
Georgia  
China - Georgia  01-Jan-18 Goods & 
Services  2018 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
EU - Georgia  01-Sep-14 Goods & 
Services  2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  
Turkey - Georgia  01-Nov-08 Goods  2009 GATT Art. XXIV  
Georgia -Ukraine -
Azerbaijan -Moldova 
(GUAM)  10-Dec-03 Goods & 
Services  2017 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 51 - 
 
  RTA Name  Date of 
entry into 
force  Coverage  GATT/WTO Notification  
Year WTO Provision  
Georgia - Turkmenistan  01-Jan-00 Goods  2001 GATT Art. XXIV  
Georgia - Kazakhstan  16-Jul-99 Goods  2001 GATT Art. XXIV 
Georgia - Armenia  11-Nov-98 Goods  2001 GATT Art. XXIV  
Georgia - Azerbaijan  10-Jul-96 Goods  2001 GATT Art. XXIV  
Georgia - Ukraine  04-Jun-96 Goods  2001 GATT Art. XXIV  
Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS)  30-Dec-94 Goods  1999 GATT Art. XXIV  
Georgia - Russian 
Federation  10-May-94 Goods  2001 GATT Art. XXIV  
Georgia - Uzbekistan  15-Oct-10 Goods  Not notified  
Georgia – Republic of 
Moldova  30-Mar-07 Goods  Not notified  
* Specific commitments in the RTA between EFTA and Mexico still need to be agreed but a standstill 
applies . 
**  EFTA State  Party to the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) is also party to a separate RTA 
concluded with the EU Member State s. The EU -Iceland; EU -Norway; EU -Switzerland -Liechtenstein 
RTAs had been previously notified under GATT Art. XXIV. The EEA has only been notified under 
GATS Art.  V. Switzerland is an EFTA State  but is not a party to the EEA.  
Note:  The date of entry into force indicated is the first one applicable to the respective RTAs. In a number  
of cases, another date of entry into force is applicable to specific parties.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat. Further information may be found in the WTO Database on RTAs: 
http://rtais.wto.org .  
 
5.8  Government procurement  
5.16.   Chapter 8 o f the Agreement (Articles 8.1 through 8 .28) contains rules applicable to 
Government procurement. Besides defining the scope and coverage79 of the Parties' commitments, 
the Chapter provides for national treatment and non -discrimination with respect to any me asure 
regarding covered procurement  (Article 8.4) . It also defines security and general exceptions 
applicable to measures necessary to protect public morals, order or safety; human, animal or plant 
life or health (including some environmental measures); or  intellectual property  (Article 8.3) . 
Chapter 8 also contains disciplines applicable to the use of electronic means; the conduct of 
procurement; rules of origin; offsets; information on the procurement system; notices, conditions 
for participation in tende rs; registration systems and qualification procedures; multi -use lists; tender 
documentation; technical specifications; modifications of the tender documentation and technical 
specifications; time -periods related to tenders; limited tendering; electronic a uctions; negotiations 
conducted by procuring entities; treatment of tenders; awarding of contracts; transparency of 
procurement information; disclosure of information; domestic review procedures for supplier 
challenges; modifications and rectifications to coverage; and cooperation .80  
5.17.   The Part ies' commitments are in Annex XVI  to the Agreement. In its Appendices 1 to 3, the 
Annex lists the entities at central and sub -central government level, as well at other covered entities. 
Appendices 4 and 5 clarify commi tments on goods a nd services covered by Chapter 8 , while 
Appendix 6 covers commitments on construction services. Appendices 7 -10 contains specific 
provisions on  means of publication, time limits on the submission of requests for participations in 
tenders; the value of thresholds and valuation ; modalities applicable to notices of intended 
procurement, tender documents and multi-use lists . Appendix 11 contains specific notes  for each 
Party specifically excluding certain types of procurement or contracts as well as some types of 
services from the coverage of Chapter 8 . 
                                                
79 Chapter 8 does not apply to acquisition or rental of land, existing buildings, or other immovable 
property; assistance provided by a Party through cooperative agreements, grants, loans, equity infusions, 
guarantees and fiscal incentives; procurement or ac quisition of fiscal agency or depository services (among 
others); public employment contract; and procurement conducted in relation to the provision of international 
assistance, agreements related to the stationing of troops, or related to procedures appli cable to international 
organisations or funded by international grants for instance.  
80 Appendixes attached to Annex XX complement, clarify, and/or substantiate the provisions of 
Chapter  8. WT/REG386/1  
 
- 52 - 
 
  5.18.   Moreover, in case a Party offers a third -party, after the conclusion of the Agreement, 
additional benefits to those  agreed under Chapter 8, that Party shall agree, upon request of another 
Party, to enter into negotiations with a view to extending coverage under Chapter 8 on a reciprocal 
basis (Article  8.28).  
5.19.   All the EFTA State s are Parties to the plurilateral WTO 1994 Agreement on Government 
Procurement (GPA)  and/or  the revised GPA .81 Their commi tments under the Agreement are modelled 
around their GPA's related commitments. In most instances, the Agreement's and the revised GPA's 
commitments are identical. Few differences however exist when comparing the respective 
commitments made by Norway and b y Switzerland.82 As Georgia  is an  observer  to the GPA  
(negotiating its accession) , its commitments on government procurement under the Agreement 
constitute new commitme nts in favour of the EFTA State s. 
5.9  Intellectual property rights  
5.20.   Chapter 7  and Annex XV to the Agreement cover  protection of intellectual property  rights 
(IPRs) . The Parties reaffirm their commitments  to accord each other national treatment with respect 
to intellectual property rights but also to  grant to each other's national  treatment no less favourable 
than that accor ded to nationals of a third -party83 (Article 7) . A review of the Agreement's IPR  
provisions may take place, upon request of a Party, with a view to further improving the levels of 
protection and to avoiding or remedying trade distortions caused by actual levels of protection of 
IPRs. 
5.21.   In Section I of Annex XV to the Agreement, the Part ies reaffirm their obligations in a number 
of multilateral agreements84 and commit to ratify or accede to a number of other agreements by 
2019.85 The rules contained in Annex XV to the Agreement shall be without prejudice to the Doha 
Declaration on the TRIPS  Agreement and Public Health as well as the Amendment of the 2005 TRIPS 
Agreement.  
5.22.   Section II of Annex XV to the Agreement contains standards concerning the availability, scope 
and use of IPRs. Building on the TRIPS Agreement, these standards cover copyri ght and related 
rights; trademarks; patents; undisclosed information; designs; geographical indications; and 
indications of source and country names (Articles 3 through 9 of Annex XV to the Agreement).   
5.23.   On acquisition and maintenance of IPRs, the Annex con firms that the provisions in the TRIPS 
Agreement, in particular Article 62, set the minimum standards between the Parties (Section III of 
Annex XV to the Agreement). Moreover, with respect to enforcement of IPRs, Section IV of Annex 
XV to the Agreement bui lds on the TRIPS Agreement (in particular Article 41 through 61) in particular 
on suspension of release; right of inspection; injunctions; removal from commerce; civil remedies; 
criminal remedies; liability declaration, security or equivalent assurance; an d cooperation in the field 
of intellectual property.  
                                                
81 The revised GPA's entry into force is still pending for Switzerland at the time this factual presentation 
is being written.  
82 This is for instance the case with respect to the list of entities at central government level (Appendix 1 
to Annex XVI) for Norw ay (though the list is indicative) and for Switzerland; to the list of covered goods 
(Appendix 4 to Annex XVI) for Switzerland; and to the list of covered services (Appendix 5 to Annex XVI) for 
Switzerland.  
83 Exemptions to these principles must be in accor dance with the respective substantive provisions of 
Articles 3 through 5 of the WTO Agreement on trade -related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS).  
84 The TRIPS Agreement; the 1883 Paris Convention (revised by the 1967 Stockholm Act); the 1886 
Berne Convention (revised by the 1971 Paris Act); the 1970 Patent Cooperation Treaty (revised by the 2001 
Washington Act), the 1957 Nice Agreement  (revised by the 1979 Geneva Act); the 1961 Rome Convention; 
the 1989 Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreemen t on international registration of marks; the 1999 Geneva 
Act of the Hague Agreement concerning the international registration of industrial designs; the 1977 Budapest 
Treaty.  
85 The 1996 WIPO Copyright Treaty; the 1996 WIPO Performances and Phonogram Treat y (WPPT); and 
the 1991 International convention for the protection of new varieties of plants (unless already a member of the 
1978 International convention for the protection of new varieties of plants). Each Party also commit to make all 
reasonable effort s to ratify or accede to the 1012 Beijing Treaty on audio -visual performances.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 53 - 
 
  5.10  Other  
5.10.1   Competition  
5.24.   Chapter 9  addresses competition. Anti -competitive practi ces of undertakings identified under 
Article 9.1  are incompatible with the proper functioning of the Agreement insofar as they ma y affect 
trade between the Parties .86 The Parties shall cooperate in their dealings on anticompetitive practices 
with the aim of ending such practices. Consultations, within the Joint Committee, may be requested 
by a Party .  
5.10.2   Sustainable development, e nviron ment and labour  
5.25.   Chapter 10  applies to measures adopted or maintained by the parties affecting trade -related 
and investment -related aspects of labour and environmental issues and  covers trade and sustainable 
development. The Parties reaffirm their commitmen t to promote the development of international 
trade in such a way as to contribute to the objective of sustainable development and to ensure that 
this objective is integrated with and reflected in the Parties' trade relations. Moreover, a number of 
global declarations, principles and plans of actions developed internationally are recalled. The Parties 
also recognise that economic development, social development and environmental protection are 
independent and mutually supportive components of sustainable de velopment .  
5.26.   Chapter 10 furthermore recognises each Party's right to regulate and to establish its own 
levels of environmental and labour protection .87 Chapter 10  covers upholding levels of protection  in 
the application and enforcement of the Parties' laws, regulations or standards ; the Parties' respect, 
promotion and realisation of international la bour standards and arrangements and  the reaffirmation 
of their commitments to effective implementation in their laws and practices of the multilateral 
environmenta l agreements to which they are party; and their striv ing to facilitate and promote 
foreign investment, trade in , and dissemination of , goods and services beneficial for sustainable 
development.  
5.27.   Moreover, the Parties commit to work together i n the relevant  multilateral for a in which they 
participate and through existing bilateral cooperation to improve enforcement of domestic forest 
legislation and governance and to promote trade in legal and sustainable forest -based, agricultural 
and mining products .88  
5.28.   The Parties shall designate contact p oints for implementing Chapter 10 . Consultations with 
experts may be requested. In all cases, mutually satisfactory solution of any matters under Chapter 
10 shall be reached whenever possible. Advice from the relevant inte rnational organisations or 
bodies can also be sought. Moreover, the Parties agree to strive to strengthen cooperation in trade 
and investment related labour and environmental issues of mutual interest in relevant bilateral, 
regional and multilateral fora i n which they participate 8Article 10.9).  
5.29.   The Parties shall not have recourse to arbitration under  Chapter 12  for matters covered by 
Chapter 10 (Article 10.10) . They nevertheless agree to periodically review progress achieved in 
pursuing the objectives of t he Agreement with respect to sustainable development and consider 
relevant international developments in order to identify areas where further action could promote 
the Agreements' objectives (Article 10.11).  
                                                
86 Also applicable to public undertakings.  
87 Article 9 of Annex XII (on maritime transport and related services) contains some disciplines related 
to the settlement of labour dis putes or related claims when involving a crew member of a Party.  
88 The Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) is 
particularly mentioned.  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 54 - 
 
  ANNEX 1  
INDICATORS OF TRADE LIBERALIZATION UNDER  THE AGREEMENT  
The EFTA Market  
1. Tables A1.1, A1.3 and A1.5  show tariff liberalization by individual EFTA State s1 with respect 
to Georgia , and by total, agricultural  and non -agricultural products, while Tables A1.2, A1.4 and 
A1.6 depict, for each EFTA State , the market access opportunities under the Agreement for Georgia's 
top 25 exports to the world.  
a) Iceland  
2. In 2017, 73.9 % of Iceland's tariff was duty free on an MFN basis; 79.2% of non -agricultural 
products were duty free while 56.2% of agricultural products were duty free. The overall average 
MFN tariff was 3.8%; it was 1.8% for non -agricultural products  and 11.2 % for agricultural products. 
As a result of the Agreement, 94% of Iceland's tariff became duty free for imports from Georgia , of 
which 98.6% for non -agricultural products2 and 78% for agriculture. The overall average tariff facing 
exports from Georgia to Iceland fell to 1.4% and 0.1% and 5.9% respectively for non -agricultural 
and agricultural products. This gave Georgia 's export ers to Iceland a 2.4% absolute margin of 
preference overall, 5.3% in agriculture and 1.7% for non -agricultural products.  
Table A1.1 Iceland: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports from 
Georgia  
Origin 
of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products  
Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable  
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2017 3.8 15.1 73.9 11.2 26.6 56.2 1.8 8.4 79.2 
Georgia  2017 1.4 28.1 94.0 5.9 33.0 78.0 0.1 10.0 98.6 
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  For the calculation of averages, specific rates are excluded.  
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Iceland.  
3. Table A1.2  gives an indication of additional market access in Georgia resulting from the entry 
into force of the Agreement for Georgia's  top 25 global exports, which accounted for 74.5% of its 
global exports in 2014 -2016; these corresponded to 226 lines of Georgia's  tariff at the six -digit le vel 
(using the HS  2012). In 2017 , prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 189 of these tariff lines 
already had (MFN) duty free access to Iceland's  market. With the entry into force of the A greement, 
all the  37 dutiable t ariff lines became duty -free. This means that, since the entry into force of the 
Agreement, duty-free treatment is granted by Iceland  to all of Georgia's  top 25 global exports.  
                                                
1 As a result of the Treaty between Switzerland and Liechtenstein form ing a Customs Union on 29  March 
1923, Liechtenstein is represented by Switzerland in matters covered thereby (Article 2). Due to the Customs 
Union, products originating in Liechtenstein are considered as originating in Switzerland.  
2 Using the definition o f "non -agricultural products" according to the Agreement, the share of duty free 
tariff lines reaches 100% as certain fish products for which duties do not need to be completely eliminated 
under the Agreement are classified, under the Agreement, as "agricu ltural products". When using the WTO 
definition these products are considered "non -agricultural products".  WT/REG386/1  
 
- 55 - 
 
  Table A1.2  Iceland: Market access opportunities under the A greement for Georgia 's top 
25 exports to the world  
Georgia's top export products in 2014 -2016  Access Conditions to Iceland's import 
markets  
MFN (2017)  Duty -
free 
in 
2017  
Remain  
dutiable  HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied  
rate 
(%) No. of tariff 
lines  
Duty -
free Dutia
ble 
260300  Copper ores and concentrates  11.6 0.0 1    
720230  Ferro-silico-manganese  8.8 0.0 1    
080222  Fresh or dried hazelnuts or filberts "corylus spp.", 
shelled  7.3 0.0 1    
870323  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of persons  6.2 0.0 21    
220421  Wine of fresh grapes, incl. fortified wines, and 
grape must whose fermentation has been arrested 
by the addition of alcohol, in containers of <= 2 l 5.2 1.4 42 7 7  
310230  Ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous 
solution …  4.4 0.0 1    
220110  Mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing 
added sugar, other sweetening matter or flavoured  4.2 20.0  7 7  
300490  Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed 
products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, 
put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of 
transdermal administration" or in forms or packings 
for retail sale  3.8 4.0 4 1 1  
870324  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of persons  3.1 0.0 21    
220820  Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape 
marc 2.6 0.0 14    
710813  Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, in semi -
manufactured forms, for non -monetary purposes  2.5 0.0 2    
270900  Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous 
minerals, crude  2.1 0.0 1    
870333  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of persons  2.0 0.0 21    
610990  T-shirts, singlets and other vests of textile 
materials, knitted or crocheted  1.4 0.0 2    
721420  Bars and rods, of iron or non -alloy steel, with 
indentations, ribs, groves or other deformations 
produced during the rolling process  1.4 0.0 2    
010229  Live cattle  1.2 0.0 1    
271600  Electrical energy  1.1 0.0 1    
720711  Semi-finished products of iron or non -alloy steel 
containing, by weight, < 0,25% of carbon, of 
square or rectangular cross -section, the width 
measuring < twice the thickness  1.0 0.0 1    
740400  Waste and scrap, of copper  0.9 0.0 1    
220210  Waters, incl. mineral and aerated, with added 
sugar, sweetener or flavour, for direct consumption 
as a beverage  0.8 14.7 8 22 22  
010410  Live sheep  0.7 0.0 1    
230120  Flours, meals and pellets of fish or crustaceans, 
molluscs  or other aquatic invertebrates, unfit for 
human consumption  0.6 0.0 13    
860110  Rail locomotives powered from an external source 
of electricity  0.6 0.0 1    
870332  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of persons, incl. station 
wagons and racing cars, with compression -ignition 
internal combustion piston engine "diesel or semi -
diesel engine" of a cylinder capacity > 1.500 cm³ 
but < = 2.500 cm³  0.6 0.0 21    
220830  Whiskies  0.6 0.0 7    
Total of above  74.5 1.6 189 37 37 - 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by the Iceland and UNSD, Comtrade database.  
b) Norway  
4. In 2017, 85.2% of Norway's  tariff was duty free on an MFN basis; 95.3% of non -agricultural 
products were duty free while 43.8% of agricultural products were duty free. The overall average WT/REG386/1  
 
- 56 - 
 
  MFN tariff was 2.6%; it was 0.4% for non -agricultural products and 20% for agricultura l products. 
As a result of the Agreement, 90.2% of Norway's  tariff became duty free for imports from Georgia, 
of which 100% for non -agricultural products and 50.1% for agriculture. The overall average tariff 
for exports from Georgia to Norway fell to 1.9% and zero and 16% respectively for non -agricultural 
and agricultural products, respectively. This gave Georgia's exporters to Iceland a 1.7% absolute 
margin of preference overall, 4% in agriculture and 0.4% for non -agricultural products.  
Table A1.3  Norway: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports from 
Georgia  
Origin of 
goods  Year ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products  
Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2018 2.6 46.3 85.2 20.0 133.6  43.8 0.4 9.2 95.3 
Georgia  2018 1.9 202.3  90.2 16.0 202.3  50.1 0.0 0.0 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
Note:  For the calculation of averages; specific rates and in -quota rates are excluded  
 Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Norway . 
5. Table A1.4 gives an indication of additional market access in Norway resulting from the entry 
into force of the Agreement for Georgia's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 70.4% of its 
global exports in 2014 -2016; these corresponded to 54 lines in Georgia's tariff at the six -digit level 
(using the HS  2017). In 2017, prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 51 of these tariff lines 
already had (MFN) duty free access to Norway's market. With the entry into force of the Agreement, 
2 out of the 3 dutiable tariff lines became duty -free. This means that, since the entry into force of 
the Agreement, duty -free treatment is granted by Norway to all but one  of Georgia's top 25 global 
exports (live cattle3, for which a specific duty remains in place on an  MFN basis ). 
Table A1.4  Norway: Market access opportunities under the Agreement for Georgia's top 
25 exports to the world  
Georgia's top export products in 2015 -2017  Access Conditions to Norway's import 
markets  
MFN (2018)  
Duty
-free 
in 
2018  
Remain  
dutiable  
HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) No. of tariff 
lines  
Duty
-free Dutiable  
260300  Copper ores and concentrates  14.2 0.0 1    
720230  Ferro-silico-manganese  9.3 0.0 1    
080222  Fresh or dried hazelnuts or filberts "corylus 
spp.", shelled  6.0 0.0 1    
220421  Wine of fresh grapes, incl. fortified wines, and 
grape must whose fermentation has been 
arrested by the addition of alcohol, in containers 
of <= 2 l  5.2 0.0 2    
220110  Mineral waters and aerated waters, not 
containing added sugar, other sweetening 
matter or flavoured  3.6 0.0 1    
310230  Ammonium nitrate, whether or not in aqueous 
solution  3.6 0.0 3    
220820  Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape 
marc 3.1 0.0 1    
710813  Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, in semi -
manufactured forms, for non -monetary 
purposes  3.0 0.0 1    
                                                
3 HS 010229 . WT/REG386/1  
 
- 57 - 
 
  Georgia's top export products in 2015 -2017  Access Conditions to Norway's import 
markets  
MFN (2018)  
Duty
-free 
in 
2018  
Remain  
dutiable  
HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) No. of tariff 
lines  
Duty
-free Dutiable  
300460  Medicaments containing any of the following 
antimalarial active principles: artemisinin "inn" 
for oral ingestion combined with other 
pharmaceutical active ingredients, or 
amodiaquine  2.2 0.0 1    
300490  Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed 
products for therapeutic or prophylactic 
purposes, put up in measured doses "incl. those 
for transdermal administration" or in forms or 
packings for retail sale  2.2 0.0 2    
270900  Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude  2.2 0.0 2    
870340  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of <10 persons  2.2 0.0 2    
870360  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of <10 persons  2.2 0.0 2    
870323  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of <10 persons  1.5 0.0 2    
610990  T-shirts, singlets and other vests of textile 
materials, knitted or crocheted  1.5 10.7  2 2  
010229  Live cattle  1.3 *  1  1 
271600  Electrical energy  0.9 0.0 1    
271019  Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum or 
bituminous minerals, not containing biodiesel, 
n.e.s.  0.9 0.0 20    
240220  Cigarettes, containing tobacco  0.8 0.0 1    
720711  Semi-finished products of iron or non -alloy steel 
containing, by weight, < 0,25% of carbon, of 
square or rectangular cross -section, the width 
measuring < twice the thickness  0.8 0.0 1    
740400  Waste and scrap, of copper  0.8 0.0 1    
721420  Bars and rods, of iron or non -alloy steel, with 
indentations, ribs, groves or other deformations 
produced during the rolling process  0.8 0.0 1    
401110  New pneumatic tyres, of rubber, of a kind used 
for motor cars, incl. station wagons and racing 
cars 0.7 0.0 1    
220210  Waters, incl. mineral and aerated, with added 
sugar, sweetener or flavour, for direct 
consumption as a beverage  0.7 0.0 1    
870324  Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally 
designed for the transport of <10 persons  0.6 0.0 2    
Total of above  70.4 0.4 51 3 2 1 
* Specific rate  (37.61 NOK per k .g.).  
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway and UNSD, Comtrade database.  
c) Switzerland  
6. In 2017, 21.6% of Switzerland's  tariff was duty free on an MFN basis; 22.1% of 
non-agricultural products were duty free while 19.9% of agricultural products were duty free. As a 
result of the Agreement, 86.2% of Switzerland's  tariff became duty free for imports from Georgia, 
of which 100% for non -agricultural products and 45.2% for agriculture. As most of Switzerland's 
tariff is subject to specific duties, for which ad valorem  equivalents are not available, the impact of 
the entry into force of the Agreement with respect to the overall applied tariff and/or the resulting 
margin of  preference could not be calculated .  
 WT/REG386/1  
 
- 58 - 
 
  Table A1.5  Switzerland: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Georgia  
Origin of 
goods  Year  ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products  
Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2018 … … 21.6 … … 19.9 … … 22.1 
Georgia  2018 … … 86.2 … … 45.2 … … 100 
a WTO Definition.  
…  Not available: Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific duties for which ad valorem equivalents are 
not available.  
Note:  For the calculation of averages; specific rates and in -quota rates are excluded  
 Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Switzerland . 
 
7. Table A1.6 gives an indication of additional market access in Switzerland  resulting from the 
entry into forc e of the Agreement for Georgia's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 70.4% of 
its global exports in 2014 -2016; these corresponded to 63 lines in Switzerland's  tariff at the si x-digit 
level (using the HS  2017). In 2017, prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 18 of these tariff 
lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Switzerland 's market. With the entry into force of the 
Agreement, 38 out of the 45  dutiable tariff lines became duty -free. This means  that, since the entry 
into force of the Agreement, duty -free treatment is granted by Switzerland  to all but 7 tariff lines4 
with respect to  Georgia's top 25 global exports  (hazelnuts, wine, and live cattle) . 
Table A1.6  Switzerland: Market access opportuni ties under the Agreement for Georgia's 
top 25 exports to the world  
Georgia's top export products in 2015 -2017  Access Conditions to Switzerland's import 
markets  
MFN (2018)  
Duty -
free 
in 
2018  
Remain  
dutiable  
HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) No. of tariff lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
260300  Copper ores and concentrates  14.2 … 1    
720230  Ferro-silico-manganese  9.3 …  1 1  
080222  Fresh or dried hazelnuts or filberts "corylus  
spp.", shelled  6.0 … 1 2 1 1 
220421  Wine of fresh grapes, incl. fortified wines, 
and grape must whose fermentation has 
been arrested by the addition of alcohol, in 
containers of <= 2 l  5.2 …  5 1 4 
220110  Mineral waters and aerated waters, not 
containing added sugar, other sweetening 
matter or flavoured  3.6 …  1 1  
310230  Ammonium nitrate, whether or not in 
aqueous solution  3.6 …  1 1  
220820  Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or 
grape marc  3.1 …  4 4  
710813  Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, in 
semi-manufactured forms, for non -
monetary purposes  3.0 …  1 1  
300460  Medicaments containing any of the following 
antimalarial active principles: artemisinin 
"inn" for oral ingestion combined with other 
pharmaceutical active ingredients,  or 
amodiaquine  2.2 … 1    
300490  Medicaments consisting of mixed or 
unmixed products for therapeutic or 2.2 … 1    
                                                
4 Duties remain for the following tariff lines: HS 0802.22.10 (CHF 0.7 per 100 kg gross), 2204.21.21 
(CHF 50 per 100 kg gross), 2204.21. 29 (CHF 3 per litre), 2204.21.39 (CHF 2.42 per litre), 2204.21.49 (CHF 
2.45 per litre), 0102.29.19 (CHF 1275 each), 0102.29.99 (CHF 1275 each) . WT/REG386/1  
 
- 59 - 
 
  Georgia's top export products in 2015 -2017  Access Conditions to Switzerland's import 
markets  
MFN (2018)  
Duty -
free 
in 
2018  
Remain  
dutiable  
HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) No. of tariff lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
prophylactic purposes, put up in measured 
doses "incl. those for transdermal 
administration" or in forms or packings for 
retail sale  
270900  Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude  2.2 … 2    
870340  Motor cars and other motor vehicles 
principally designed for the transport of <10 
persons  2.2 …  7 7  
870360  Motor cars and other motor vehicles 
principally designed for the transport of <10 
persons  2.2 …  7 7  
870323  Motor cars and other motor vehicles 
principally designed for the transport of <10 
persons  1.5 …  3 3  
610990  T-shirts, singlets and other vests of textile 
materials, knitted or crocheted  1.5 …  1 1  
010229  Live cattle  1.3 …  2  2 
271600  Electrical energy  0.9 … 1    
271019  Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum 
or bituminous minerals, not containing 
biodiesel, n.e.s.  0.9 … 9    
240220  Cigarettes, containing tobacco  0.8 …  2 2  
720711  Semi-finished products of iron or non -alloy 
steel containing, by weight, < 0,25% of 
carbon, of square or rectangular cross -
section, the width measuring < twice the 
thickness  0.8 … 1    
740400  Waste and scrap, of copper  0.8 … 1 1 1  
721420  Bars and rods,  of iron or non -alloy steel, 
with indentations, ribs, groves or other 
deformations produced during the rolling 
process  0.8 …  3 3  
401110  New pneumatic tyres, of rubber, of a kind 
used for motor cars, incl. station wagons 
and racing cars  0.7 …  1 1  
220210  Waters, incl. mineral and aerated, with 
added sugar, sweetener or flavour, for 
direct consumption as a beverage  0.7 …  1 1  
870324  Motor cars and other motor vehicles 
principally designed for the transport of <10 
persons  0.6 …  2 2  
Total of above  70.4 … 18 45 38 7 
Note:  Based on the HS 2017 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Switzerland and UNSD, Comtrade database.  
 
Georgia 's market  
8. Table A1.7  shows tariff liberalization by Georgia  with respect to each individual EFTA State , 
and by total, agricultural and no n-agricultural products. In 2017 , 82% of Georgia 's tariff was duty 
free on an MFN basis; 93.2% of non -agricultural products were duty free while 39.7% of agricultural 
products were duty free. The overall average MFN tariff was 1.8%; it was 0.7% for non -agricultural 
products and 6.4%% for agricultural products. As a result of the Agreement, 88.8% of Georgia 's 
tariff became duty free for imports from Iceland ( 100% for non -agricultural products and 46.3% for 
agriculture) , 94.3% for imports from Norway ( 100% for non -agricultural products and 72.9% for 
agriculture) and 95.3% for imports from Switzerland ( 100% for non -agricultural products and 77.7% 
for agriculture). The overall average MFN tariff for exports by EFTA States to Georgia  fell to 1.1% 
for Iceland, and 0.5% for  Norway and Switzerland (zero for non -agricultural products and 5.7%, 
2.6% and 2.5% respectively for agric ulture for  Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). This gave EFTA 
exporters to Georgia  an absolute margin o f preference of 0.7% overall  for Iceland (1.3 % for Norway 
and Switzerland respectively) , 0.7% in agriculture  for Iceland (3.8% for Norway and 3.9% for 
Switzerland),  and 0.7% for non -agricultural products  for all EFTA State s. WT/REG386/1  
 
- 60 - 
 
  Table A1.7  Georgia: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports from 
EFTA Countries  
Origin of 
goods  Year  ALL PRODUCTS  Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products  
Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff  Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2017  1.8 11.1 82.0 6.4 11.5 39.7 0.7 10.4 93.2 
Iceland  2017 1.1 11.8 88.8 5.7 11.8 46.3 0.0 0.0 100.0  
Norway  2017 0.5 11.6 94.3 2.6 11.6 72.9 0.0 0.0 100.0  
Switzerland  2017 0.5 11.8 95.3 2.5 11.8 77.7 0.0 5.0* 100.0  
a WTO Definition.  
* 1 tariff line (330510.00.00.0) dutiable (5%) under non-agriculture for Switzerland.  
Note:  For the calculation of averages; specific rates are excluded . 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Switzerland .  
9. Tables A1.8 to A1.10  below show market access opportunities for the top 25 global ex port 
products of each individual EFTA State , in Georgia .  
10. Table A1.8  gives an indication of additional market access in Georgia  resulting from the entry 
into force of the Agreement for Iceland's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 79.7% of its 
globa l exports in 2014-2016; these corresponded to 63 lines in Georgia 's tariff at the six -digit level 
(using the HS  2012). In 2014, prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, all these tariff lines 
already had (MFN) duty free access to Georgia 's market. W ith the entry into force of the Agreement, 
the situation remain unchanged (full duty -free access) for all of Iceland's top 25 global exports.  
Table A1.8  Georgia: Market access opportunities under the Agreement for Iceland's top 
25 exports to the world  
Iceland's top export products in 2014 -2016  
Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Georgia's import markets  
HS number and description of the product  MFN (2017)  
Duty free 
under the 
agreement 
in 2017  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
760110  Aluminium, not alloyed, unwrought  27.9 0.0 1    
030444  Fresh or chilled fillets of fish of the families 
bregmacerotidae, euclichthyidae, gadidae, 
macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, 
moridae and muraenolepididae  4.8 0.0 1    
030471  Frozen fillets of cod "gadus morhua, gadus 
ogac, gadus macrocephalus"  4.4 0.0 1    
230120  Flours, meals and pellets of fish or 
crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic 
invertebrates, unfit for human consumption  3.4 0.0 1    
760429  Bars, rods and solid profiles, of aluminium 
alloys, n.e.s.  3.2 0.0 2    
720221  Ferro-silicon, containing by weight > 55% of 
silicon  3.0 0.0 1    
760511  Wire of non -alloy aluminium, with a 
maximum cross -sectional dimension of > 7 
mm..  3.0 0.0 1    
030354  Frozen mackerel "scomber scombrus, 
scomber australasicus, scomber japonicus"  2.6 0.0 1    
030562  Cod "gadus morhua, gadus ogac, gadus 
macrocephalus", salted or in brine only  2.2 0.0 1    
030389  Frozen fish, n.e.s.  2.2 0.0 1    
760120  Unwrought aluminium alloys  2.0 0.0 3    
160521  Shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, 
not in airtight containers…  1.9 0.0 1    WT/REG386/1  
 
- 61 - 
 
  Iceland's top export products in 2014 -2016  
Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Georgia's import markets  
HS number and description of the product  MFN (2017)  
Duty free 
under the 
agreement 
in 2017  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
030532  Fillets, dried, salted or in brine, but not 
smoked, of fish of the families 
bregmacerotidae, euclichthyidae, gadidae, 
macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, 
moridae and muraenolepididae  1.9 0.0 1    
760719  Aluminium foil, not backed, rolled and further 
worked, of a thickness of <= 2 mm  1.8 0.0 3    
150420  Fats and oils of fish and their fractions, 
whether or not refined  1.7 0.0 2    
030453  Fresh or chilled meat, whether or not 
minced, of fish of the families 
bregmacerotidae, euclichthyidae, gadidae, 
macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, 
moridae and muraenolepididae  1.7 0.0 1    
271019  Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum 
or bituminous minerals, not containing 
biodiesel, n.e.s.  1.6 0.0 25    
030390  Frozen fish livers and roes  1.6 0.0 2    
030572  Fish heads, tails and maws, smoked, dried, 
salted or in brine  1.6 0.0 1    
300490  Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed 
products for therapeutic or prophylactic 
purposes, put up in measured doses  1.5 0.0 4    
030331  Frozen lesser or greenland halibut 
"reinhardtius hippoglossoides", atlantic 
halibut "hippoglossus hippoglossus" and 
pacific halibut "hippoglossus stenolepis"  1.4 0.0 3    
030473  Frozen fillets of coalfish "pollachius virens"  1.3 0.0 1    
030495  Frozen meat, whether or not minced, of fish 
of the families bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, 
melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and 
muraenolepididae  1.2 0.0 1    
890200  Fishing vessels; factory ships and other 
vessels for processing or preserving fishery 
products  1.2 0.0 3    
030472  Frozen fillets of haddock "melanogrammus 
aeglefinus"  0.9 0.0 1    
Total of above  79.7 0.0 63 - - - 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by the Georgia and UNSD, Comtrade database.  
 
11. Table A1.9  gives an indication of additional market access in Georgia  resulting from the entry 
into force of the Agreement for Norway's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 73.3% of its 
global exports in 2014-2016; these corresponded to 99 lines in Georgia 's tariff at the six -digit le vel 
(using the HS  2012). In 2017 , prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 95 of these tariff lines 
already had (MFN) duty free access to Georgia 's market. With the entry into force of the Agreement, 
the four remaining  dutiable tariff lines became duty -free, which means that since t he entry into force 
of the Agreement  duty-free treatment is granted by Georgia  to all of Norway's top 25  global exports.  
Table A1.9  Georgia: Market access opportunities under the Agreement for Norway's top 
25 exports to the world  
Norway's top export produc ts in 2014 -2016  
Share in global 
exports (%)  Access conditions to Georgia's import markets  
HS number and description of the product  MFN (2017)  Duty free 
under the 
agreement 
in 2017  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
270900  Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude  27.9 0.0 2    
271121  Natural gas in gaseous State  23.0 0.0 1    WT/REG386/1  
 
- 62 - 
 
  Norway's top export produc ts in 2014 -2016  
Share in global 
exports (%)  Access conditions to Georgia's import markets  
HS number and description of the product  MFN (2017)  Duty free 
under the 
agreement 
in 2017  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
030214  Fresh or chilled atlantic salmon "salmo 
salar" and danube salmon "hucho 
hucho"  4.7 0.0 1    
271012  Light oils and preparations, of 
petroleum or bituminous minerals 
which >= 90% by volume "incl. losses" 
distil at 210°c "astm d 86 method"  2.8 0.0 12    
760120  Unwrought aluminium alloys  2.3 0.0 3    
271019  Medium oils and preparations, of 
petroleum or bituminous minerals, not 
containing biodiesel, n.e.s.  1.9 0.0 25    
271111  Natural gas, liquefied  1.3 0.0 1    
750210  Nickel, not alloyed, unwrought  1.0 0.0 1    
271112  Propane, liquefied  0.9 0.0 6    
271113  Butanes, liquefied  0.8 0.0 4    
292429  Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic carbamates, 
and their derivatives; salts thereof  0.7 0.0 3    
030441  Fresh or chilled fillets of pacific salmon 
"oncorhynchus nerka, oncorhynchus 
gorbuscha, oncorhynchus keta, 
oncorhynchus tschawytscha, 
oncorhynchus kisutch, oncorhynchus 
masou and oncorhynchus rhodurus", 
atlantic salmon "salmo salar" and 
danube salmon "hucho hucho"  0.7 0.0 1    
890190  Vessels for the transport of goods and 
vessels for the transport of both 
persons and goods …  0.7 0.0 3    
843143  Parts for boring or sinking machinery 
of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49.  0.6 0.0 1    
271600  Electrical energy  0.6 0.0 1    
030354  Frozen mackerel "scomber scombrus, 
scomber australasicus, scomber 
japonicus"  0.5 0.0 1    
030481  Frozen fillets of pacific salmon 
"oncorhynchus nerka, oncorhynchus 
gorbuscha, oncorhynchus keta, 
oncorhynchus tschawytscha, 
oncorhynchus kisutch, oncorhynchus 
masou and oncorhynchus rhodurus", 
atlantic salmon "salmo salar" and 
danube  salmon "hucho hucho"  0.4 0.0 1    
280469  Silicon containing < 99,99% by weight 
of silicon  0.4 0.0 1    
847990  Parts of machines and mechanical 
appliances.  0.4 0.0 3    
841370  Centrifugal pumps, power -driven  0.3 0.0 12    
030551  Dried cod "gadus morhua , gadus ogac, 
gadus macrocephalus", even salted, 
not smoked…  0.3 0.0 1    
880330  Parts of aeroplanes or helicopters…  0.3 0.0 2    
730890  Structures and parts of structures, of 
iron or steel  0.3 12.0  4 4  
847989  Machines and mechanical appliances.  0.3 0.0 5    
300490  Medicaments consisting of mixed or 
unmixed products for therapeutic or 
prophylactic purposes, put up in 
measured doses "incl. those in the 
form of transdermal administration" or 
in forms or packings for retail sale  0.3 0.0 4    
Total of above  73.3 0.5 95 4 4 - 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by the Georgia and UNSD, Comtrade database . 
 WT/REG386/1  
 
- 63 - 
 
  12. Table A1.10  gives an indication of additional market access in Georgia  resulting from the entry 
into force of the Agreement for Switzerland's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 64.7% of 
Georgia's  global exports in 2014-2016; these corresponded to 58 lines in Georgia 's tariff at the 
six-digit le vel (using the HS  2012) . In 2017 , prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 53 of 
these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Georgia 's market. With the entry into force 
of the Agreement, the five remaining  dutiable tariff lines became duty -free, which means t hat since 
the entry into force of the Agreement,  duty-free treatment is granted by Georgia  to all of the Swiss 
top 25 global exports.  
Table A1.10  Georgia: Market access opportunities under the Agreement for 
Switzerland's top 25 exports to the world  
Switzerland's top export products in  
2014 -2016  
Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Georgia's import markets  
HS number and description of the product  MFN (2017)  
Duty free 
under the 
agreement in 
2017  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
MFN applied  
rate No. of tariff lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
710812  Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, 
unwrought, for non -monetary purposes  24.2 0.0 1    
300490  Medicaments consisting of mixed or 
unmixed products for therapeutic or 
prophylactic purposes, put  up in 
measured doses "incl. those in the form 
of transdermal administration" or in 
forms or packings for retail sale  10.5 0.0 4    
300210  Antisera and other blood fractions and 
immunological products, whether or not  
modified or obtained by means of 
biotechnological processes  8.5 0.0 4    
711319  Articles of jewellery and parts thereof, 
of precious metal other than silver, 
whether or not plated or clad with 
precious metal  3.6 12.0  1 1  
910221  Wrist-watches, whether or not 
incorporating a stop -watch facility, with 
automatic winding  3.2 0.0 1    
910121  Wrist-watches of precious metal or of 
metal clad with precious metal, whether 
or not incorporating a stop -watch 
facility, with automatic winding  1.5 0.0 1    
293399  Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen 
hetero -atom[s] only  1.0 0.0 6    
910211  Wrist-watches, whether or not 
incorporating a stop -watch facility, 
electrically operated, with mechanical 
display only  1.0 0.0 1    
710813  Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum,  in 
semi-manufactured forms, for non -
monetary purposes  1.0 0.0 2    
293719  Polypeptide hormones, protein 
hormones and glycoprotein hormones, 
their derivatives and structural 
analogues, used primarily as hormones  0.9 0.0 1    
293359  Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen 
hetero -atom[s] only, containing a 
pyrimidine ring, whether or not 
hydrogenated, or piperazine ring in the 
structure  0.8 0.0 3    
300439  Medicaments containing hormones or 
steroids used as hormones but not 
antibiotics, put up in measured doses 
"incl. those in the form of transdermal 
administration" or in forms or packings 
for retail sale  0.8 0.0 2    
271600  Electrical energy  0.7 0.0 1    
902110  Orthopaedic or fracture appliances  0.7 0.0 2    
910129  Wrist-watches of precious metal or of 
metal clad with precious metal, whether 
or not incorporating a stop -watch 
facility, with hand winding only  0.7 0.0 1    
710239  Diamonds, worked, but not mounted or 
set 0.7 0.0 1    WT/REG386/1  
 
- 64 - 
 
  Switzerland's top export products in  
2014 -2016  
Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Georgia's import markets  
HS number and description of the product  MFN (2017)  
Duty free 
under the 
agreement in 
2017  
Remain 
Dutiable  
Average 
MFN applied  
rate No. of tariff lines  
Duty -
free Dutiable  
090121  Roasted coffee  0.6 0.0 1    
220290  Non-alcoholic beverages  0.6 12.0  4 4  
300420  Medicaments containing antibiotics, put 
up in measured doses "incl. those in 
the form of transdermal administration" 
or in forms or packings for retail sale  0.6 0.0 2    
292429  Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic carbamates, 
and their derivatives; salts thereof  0.6 0.0 3    
901890  Instruments and appliances used in 
medical, surgical or veterinary sciences  0.6 0.0 10    
841199  Parts of gas turbines  0.5 0.0 3    
294190  Antibiotics  0.5 0.0 1    
970110  Paintings, e.g. oil paintings, 
watercolours and pastels, and drawings 
executed entirely by hand  0.5 0.0 1    
902150  Pacemakers for stimulating heart 
muscles  0.4 0.0 1    
Total of above  64.7 1.0 53 5 5 - 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by the Georgia and UNSD, Comtrade database . 
__________