JOB/SERV/CTFS/1/Rev. 2 
 
13 February 2023  
(23-1027) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Trade in Financial Services  Original: English  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM CANADA , CHILE, CHINA, NEW ZEALAND,  
THE PHILIPPINES, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND UKRAINE   
THEMATIC SEMINAR FINANCIAL SERVICES:  
TRADE, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY  
Revision1 
The following communication, dated 10 February 2023 , is being circulated to Members of the 
Committee on Trade in Financial Services, at the request of the delegation s of Canada , Chile, China, 
New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Ukraine . 
 
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1.  Socio -economic inclusion and accessibility are important issues at the forefront of WTO efforts to 
pursue better trade outcomes for every Member. Given the importance of financial services, both as 
an economic sector in its own right and a key intermediary for economic activity around the world, 
it is important to better understand some of the sector -specific implications of these issues. 
Accordingly, Canada is proposing that the Committee on Trade in Financial services agree to hold a 
thematic seminar to discuss the opportunities and challenges with addressing these issues in the 
unique regulatory context of the financial services sector.  
2.  The Committee has a mandate to serve as a forum for technical discussions and examination o f 
regulatory developments affecting financial services trade. In line with this mandate, Canada 
believes that the Committee would be a good place to discuss the growing impacts of financial 
services trade on inclusivity and equality for under -represented g roups and on facilitating trade 
accessibility. We are confident that Members would stand to benefit from deepening the discussion 
on the financial services aspects of these policy issues.  
3.  A draft agenda for the proposed seminar, “Financial Services: Trade , Inclusion and Accessibility”, 
is attached to this communication. The presentations discussed in the Annex would be made by 
national regulators of interested Members, private sector representatives of banking and insurance 
services, academics and official s from relevant international organizations.  
4.  We eagerly await the opportunity to work with the Secretariat and other Members in order to 
develop a meeting of interest and utility to all Members.  
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1 This revision is to add China  to the list of co -sponsors.  JOB/SERV/CTFS /1/Rev. 2 
 
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  ANNEX  
DRAFT ANNOTATED AGENDA  
1  MORNING – FINANCIAL SERVICES: INCLUSIVITY AND EQUALITY  
Topic : Gender and socio -economic inclusivity and equality in the context of financial 
services trade.  
Session 1: Financial Services Trade and Inclusive Growth  
This session seeks to focus on the rationa le and benefits for applying an inclusive perspective in the 
development of financial services trade policy and potential impacts this approach could have on 
promoting inclusive growth in the financial sector.  
Thematic Question : How can inclusivity and soc io-economic perspectives be integrated into 
financial trade policy in order to improve inclusive and sustainable economic development and 
achieve outcomes in the financial sector that are more beneficial for all?  
For example , do Members have any national experience on how can financial services trade 
become more inclusive and support inclusive growth?  
 
Session 2: Gender Lens on Financial Services Trade  
This session seeks to discuss how members can use financial trade services policy to improve the  
capacity and conditions for women to access and fully benefit from the opportunities created by 
trade and investment.  
Thematic Question : How can gender -related policies assist in promoting equality in the specific 
context of financial services trade?  
For example , in what ways can gender -related principles such as non -discrimination between 
men and women or representation of women be applied to financial services trade? What are 
the challenges and opportunities?  
 
 
2  AFTERNOON – FINANCIAL SERVICES ACCESSIBILITY  
Topic : Accessibility to financial services and the role of financial services technology in 
expanding access to underserved groups.  
Session 3: Accessibility in Financial Services  
This session seeks to focus on accessibil ity in financial services, in particular for developing Members, 
including LDCs, by exploring ongoing financial trade initiatives to increase women and other 
underserved groups’ access to financial services, such as in the area of microfinancing.  
Thematic  Question : How can inclusive  trade initiatives or programs support accessibility to 
financial services for women and other underserved groups, in particular for developing 
Members, including LDCS?  
For example , in what ways do policies  of the OECD, World Bank, and the G20, that promote 
inclusivity through financial services, relate to financial trade practices?  
 JOB/SERV/CTFS/1/Rev. 2 
 
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  Session 4: Exp anding Access through Financial Technologies  
This session seeks to focus on the role of digital technology and related trade policies in financial 
services and their ability to make financial services more accessible and inclusive for underserved 
groups.  
Thematic Question : What is the role and impact of digital policies and financial technologies 
on providing acces sible and inclusive financial services?   
For example , how can data transfer policies supporting financial inclusion and technologies in 
financial services expand assess to financial services for underserved groups?  
 
 
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