WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6 
20 August 2012 
 (12-4522) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of Lao PDR Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF LAO PDR 
 
Draft Schedule of Specific Commitments on Trade in Services 
 
Draft List of Article II MFN Exemptions 
 
  The Schedule of Specific Commitments on Trad e in Services resulting from the negotiations 
between the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao  PDR) and WTO Members will be annexed to the 
Protocol of Accession of the Lao PDR.  The Draf t Schedule is reproduced hereunder for examination 
and technical verification by Members of the Working Party. 
 
 Proposals for technical corrections, if any, should be sent to Mr. Dayong Yu (dayong.yu@wto.org ) and Ms Souda Tandara-Stenier ( Souda.Tandara-Stenier@wto.org ) by 
Monday, 3 September 2012 at the latest. 
 
 In accordance with WTO accession practice, a WT O Secretariat-chaired technical verification 
meeting on Lao PDR's Draft Schedule of Specifi c Commitments on Trade in Services will be 
convened at a later date, if necessary.  A relevant notice will be forwarded by the Director of the 
Accessions Division. 
  
_______________ 
 
 
   
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Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
I. HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS (A PPLICABLE TO ALL SECTORS INCL UDED IN THIS SCHEDULE) 
Land ownership  (3), (4) Non-Lao PDR natural and 
juridical persons are not allowed to 
own land but may own premises and 
lease land up to 75 years.  
Subsidies and investment incentives  (1), (2), (3), (4) Unbound with respect to 
subsidies, investment incentives and 
other state support measures, 
eligibility for which may be limited 
to particular regions, categories of 
persons, or enterprises.  
Commercial presence (3) To es tablish a commercial presence, 
a services provider must be 
incorporated in specific legal form in 
accordance with laws and 
regulations of Lao PDR.  
 (3) Foreign investors shall provide 
adequate training opportunities to 
Lao PDR nationals.   
 
(3) Tax measures, generally pertaining 
to small and medium enterprises 
may result in a difference of 
treatment in favour of Lao PDR 
services and service suppliers.   
Movement of natural persons providing 
services (4) Unbound, except for measures 
affecting the temporary entry and 
stay of natural persons who qualify 
under one of the following 
categories, and in all cases, the total 
number of foreign natural persons in 
the following categories shall not 
exceed 20% of the total staff: 
 
A. Business visitors: 
A natural person who: - Enters Lao PDR to be engaged in 
activities related to representing a 
services supplier for the purpose of 
negotiating for the sale of the 
services of that supplier; 
- Stays in Lao PDR without receiving 
remuneration from sources within 
Lao PDR; and 
- Does not engage in making direct 
sales to the general public or (4) Unbound, except for measures 
concerning the categories of natural 
persons referred to in the market 
access column.  Unbound for all 
measures relating to  social insurance 
schemes including inter alia  
unemployment and pension benefits.   
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supplying services. 
 
The temporary stay of the business visitor 
is subject to a maximum duration of stay 
of 90 days.  
 
B. Intra-Corporate Transferees: 
Natural persons who have been employed by a juridical person of another Member 
outside Lao PDR for a period of not less 
than 1 year immediately preceding the 
request for transfer to  Lao PDR, who seek 
temporary entry to provide services 
through commercial es tablishment of that 
juridical person in Lao PDR, who cannot 
be substituted by Lao PDR nationals, and 
who fall within one of the following 
categories: 
(a) Executives:  Natural persons within 
an organization who primarily direct the management of the organization, 
exercise wide latitude in decision-
making, and receive only general 
supervision or direction from higher-
level executives, the board of 
directors, or shareholders of the 
business.  Executives would not 
directly perform tasks related to the 
actual supply of a service or services 
of the organization; and  
(b) Managers:  Natural persons who 
possess knowledge at an advanced level of expertise or proprietary 
knowledge of a juridical entity 
product, service, research, 
equipment, techniques, or 
management, and who primarily 
direct the organization or a 
department of the organization; 
supervise and control the work of 
other supervisory, professional or  
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managerial employees; have the 
authority to hire and fire or 
recommend hiring, firing or other 
personnel actions; and exercise 
discretionary authority over day-to-
day operations.  They do not include 
first-line supervisors, unless the 
employees supervised are 
professionals1, nor do they include 
employees who primarily perform 
tasks necessary for the supply of the 
service.  
(c) Specialists:  Natural persons within 
an organization who possess 
knowledge at an advanced level of 
continued expertise and who possess 
proprietary knowledge of the 
organization's services, research 
equipment, techniques, or 
management and where there are 
shortages of Lao PDR nationals with 
requisite skills.  
 
For the natural persons in the categories 
defined under intra-corporate transferees, 
temporary residency and work permit will 
be issued for 1 year which may be 
renewed every 6 months for up to 3 years 
as long as conditions indicated for each 
category are satisfied.
                                                      
1 Natural persons with professional qualifications for performing wo rk within the scope of a par ticular profession, where these are required by the laws and regulations 
of Lao PDR.  
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II. SECTOR-SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS 
1. BUSINESS SERVICES 
A. Professional Services 
(a) Legal services, excluding: 
- Participation in legal proceedings 
in the capacity of defenders or 
representatives of their clients 
before the courts of Lao PDR; 
- Legal documentation and 
certification services of the laws of 
Lao PDR 
(part of CPC 861) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 49%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Unbound. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
 horizontal section.  
(b) Accounting, auditing and 
bookkeeping services  
 (CPC 862) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Unbound for 7 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, a joint 
venture with a Lao PDR national 
accountant who is a full member of 
the Lao Institute of Certified Public 
Accountants (LICPA) is required2. 
(4) Unbound. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) The majority of directors must be 
 certified accountants who are Lao 
 nationals. 
 
 
 
(4) Unbound.  
(c) Taxation consulting services 
(part of CPC 863) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
 horizontal section.  
                                                      
2 For all phased in commitments in this schedule, it is understood that limitations indicated in sectoral headnotes and/or the h orizontal commitments section will apply at 
phase in.  
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(d) Architectural services 
(CPC 8671) 
(e) Engineering services 
(CPC 8672) 
(f) Integrated engineering services 
(CPC 8673) 
(g) Urban planning and landscape 
architectural services 
(CPC 8674) (1) None. 
 
 
 
 
(2) None. 
 
 
 
 
(3) For 5 years after accession, foreign 
equity participation limited to 51%.  
Thereafter: none. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) The service must be authenticated by 
an architect or engineer who has 
appropriate practicing certificate 
working in a juridical entity 
established in Lao PDR. 
(2) The service must be authenticated by 
an architect or engineer who has 
appropriate practicing certificate 
working in a juridical entity 
established in Lao PDR. 
(3) None. 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
B. Computer and Related Services 
 Computer and Related Services 
 (CPC 84)  (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
C. Research and Development   
(a) R&D services on natural sciences 
(CPC 851)  
 
 (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.   
F. Other Business Services 
(a) Advertising services: 
- Planning, creating and placement 
services of advertising  
 (CPC 87120) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 49%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Unbound. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
(b) Market research services  
 (CPC 86401) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.   
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(c) Management consulting services 
(CPC 865) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) For 3 years after accession, foreign 
equity participation limited to 51%. 
Thereafter:  None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
(e) Technical testing and analysis 
services  
 (CPC 8676) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%.  After 5 years from the date 
of accession, foreign equity 
participation limited to 70%.  
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) The majority of directors must be 
engineers who are Lao PDR 
nationals. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
(h) Services incidental to mining 
(CPC 5115) (1) Unbound3. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%.  After 5 years from the date 
of accession, foreign equity 
participation limited to 70%.  
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) Unbound4. 
(2) None. 
(3) The majority of directors must be 
engineers who are Lao PDR 
nationals. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
(m) Related scientific and technical 
consulting services 
(CPC 86751 and 86752 only) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%. After 5 years from the date 
of accession, foreign equity 
participation limited to 70%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) The majority of directors must be 
engineers who are Lao PDR 
nationals. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
(n) Maintenance and repair of 
equipment (not including maritime 
vessels, aircraft or other transport 
equipment): 
- Repair of energy equipment  
(part of CPC 88620) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.   
                                                      
3 Unbound due to lack of technical feasibility. 
4 Unbound due to lack of technical feasibility.  
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(t) Specialty design services  
 (CPC 87907) 
 (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) For 5 years after accession, foreign 
equity participation limited to 49%.  
Thereafter:  foreign equity 
participation limited to 51%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.   
2. COMMUNICATION SERVICES 
B. Courier services   
Courier services (CPC 7512) consisting of 
express delivery services5, except for the 
following services: 
(a) the collection, transport and 
delivery of domestic and cross-
border addressed mail to Post 
Office (PO) boxes in the following 
categories: 
 (i) addressed letters  weighing not 
 more than 200 grams; 
 (ii) small items or packages 
 weighing up to 2 kg; 
(b) the collection, transport and delivery 
to PO boxes of domestic and 
international postal parcels weighing 
up to 20 kg; 
(c) the provision of PO boxes; and 
(d) issuing of postage stamps.  (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
                                                      
5 Express delivery services include the collection, transport and delivery of documents, printed matter, parcels and/or other go ods on an expedited basis, while tracking 
and maintaining control of these items throughout the supply of the service.    
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C. Telecommunication services 
 Commitments are taken consistent with "Notes for Scheduling Ba sic Telecom Services Commitments" (S/GBT/W/2/Rev.1) and "Market Access Limitations on Spectrum 
Availability" (S/GBT/W/3). 
The following services (a-o) can be 
supplied only on a facilities basis, and for 
public use services: 
 
Basic telecommunication services 
 
(a) Voice telephone services 
(CPC 7521)  
(b) Packet-switched data transmission 
services 
(CPC 7523**) 
(c) Circuit-switched data transmission 
services 
(CPC 7523**) 
(d) Telex services 
(CPC 7523**) 
(e) Telegraph services 
(CPC 7522) 
(f) Facsimile services 
(CPC 7521**+ 7529**) 
(g) Private leased circuit services 
(CPC 7522**+7523**) 
(o) Other: 
- Terrestrial-based mobile phone 
services  
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Wire-based services, Terrestrial-
based mobile services and Satellite-
based services:  Service must be 
offered through commercial 
arrangements with an entity 
established in Lao PDR and licensed 
to provide international 
telecommunication services.   
(2) None. 
(3) Only through acquisition of existing 
operators and foreign equity 
participation limited to 49% for 
5 years after the date of accession.  
Thereafter, commercial presence for 
new investments will be allowed 
with foreign equity participation 
limited to 60%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Wire-based services, Terrestrial-
based mobile services and Satellite-
based services:  Service must be 
offered through commercial 
arrangements with an entity 
established in Lao PDR and licensed 
to provide international 
telecommunication services.   
(2) None. 
(3) None as phased-in in the market 
access column. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
 
 
 
 
 
Lao PDR undertakes the obligations in the 
Reference Paper attached hereto within 
2 years of accession.  
 
                                                      
** The (**) indicates that the service specified constitutes only a part of the total range of activities covered by the CPC conc ordance (e.g. voice mail is only a component of 
CPC item 7523).  
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Value-added telecommunication services 
 
(h) Electronic-mail 
(CPC 7523**) 
(i) Voice mail 
(CPC 7523**) 
(j) Online information and data base 
retrieval 
(CPC 7523**) 
(k) Electronic data interchange (EDI) 
(CPC 7523**)  
(l) Enhanced/value-added facsimile 
services, including store and 
forward, store and retrieve 
(CPC 7523**)  
(m) Code and protocol conversion 
(n) On-line information and/or data 
processing (including transaction 
processing) 
(CPC 843**)  
 
(1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
 
(1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.   
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 Page 11Modes of supply: (1) Cross-Border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
3. CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES 
A. General construction work for 
buildings  
(CPC 512) 
B. General construction work for civil 
engineering  
(CPC 513) 
C. Installation and assembly work 
(CPC 514+516) 
D. Building completion and finishing 
work 
(CPC 517) 
E. Other: 
(CPC 511+515+518) (1) Unbound. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 70%. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) Unbound. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
4. DISTRIBUTION SERVICES 
 The distribution of goods under the Controlled List of the Ministry of Industry of Commerce - arms, ammunition, explosives and  explosive substances, highly toxic 
chemicals, narcotics, cultural items, books, newspapers and magazines, precious metals and stones, medicines and medical equipm ent, endangered species, gambling 
machines, money printing ma chines, processed oil and crude oil, alcohols, tobacco products, rice - is excluded from commitments .   
B. Wholesale trade services 
(part of CPC 61111, 6113, 6121) 
 
 (1) None. 
(2) None.  
(3) Unbound for 7 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 49%. Subject 
to meeting economic need tests6. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) None.  
(2) None.  
(3) Unbound.  
 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
 
C. Retailing services 
(part of CPC 61112, 6113, 6121) 
 
 (1) Unbound. 
(2) Unbound. 
(3) Unbound for 7 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 49%. Subject 
to meeting economic need tests7. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) Unbound. 
(2) Unbound. 
(3) Unbound. 
 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
                                                      
6 The main criteria include the number of existing service suppliers  in a particular geographical area, the stability of market and geographical scale. 
7 The main criteria include the number of existing service suppliers  in a particular geographical area, the stability of market and geographical scale. 
  
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D. Franchising 
(part of CPC 8929)8 
 (1) None. 
(2) None.  
(3) Unbound for 7 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 49%. Subject 
to meeting economic need tests9. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) None.  
(2) None.  
(3) Unbound.  
 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
5. PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 
 The education curriculum and contents must be approved by the Ministry of Education of Lao PDR. 
 With respect to C and D below, the commitments cover only technical, natural sciences and technology, business administration and business studies, economics, 
accounting, international law an d language training fields. 
 The scope of private education services co ncerns only fully-privately funded services. 
A. Primary education services 
(part of CPC 921) 
B. Secondary education services 
(part of CPC 922) (1) Unbound. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%.  
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) Unbound. 
(2) None. 
(3) Directors must be qualified teachers 
who are Lao PDR nationals. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
C. Higher education services 
(part of CPC 923) 
D. Adult education 
(part of CPC 924) 
E. Other education services: 
- Short term foreign language training 
only 
(part of CPC 929) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%.  
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Directors must be qualified teachers 
who are Lao PDR nationals. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
                                                      
8 As related to the provision of a distribution service which is  subject to a specific commitment under Section II.4 of this Sch edule. 
9 The main criteria include the number of existing service suppliers  in a particular geographical area, the stability of market and geographical scale.  
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6. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES10 
 Services considered as public utilities at a national or loca l level may be subject to public monopolies or to exclusive right s granted to private operators.  
A. Wastewater management 
(part of CPC 9401) 
B. Waste management 
(part of CPC 9402 and 9403) 
C. Protection of ambi ent air and climate 
(part of CPC 9404) 
D. Remediation and cleanup of soil and 
water 
(part of CPC 9406) 
E. Noise and vibration abatement 
(part of CPC 9405) (1) Unbound, except related consulting 
services.  
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) Unbound, except related consulting 
services.  
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
7. FINANCIAL SERVICES 
 Access by foreign services suppliers and the provision of new fi nancial services within the scope of the commitments below and  that have not yet been provided by the 
private sector in Lao PDR at the date of accession, may be subject to measures adop ted for prudential reasons. 
 Direct branching is not allowed.  Financial institutions in Lao PDR must adopt a specific legal form.  
 All the commitments are subject to entry requirements, domestic  laws, rules and regulations and the terms and conditions of th e Bank of Lao PDR, the Ministry of Finance 
and/or any other competent authority in Lao PDR, as the case may be, which are consistent with Ar ticle VI of the GATS and parag raph 2 of the Annex on Financial Services 
and do not impair the commitments undertaken herewith. 
A. All insurance and insurance-related services 
 Insurance companies are restricted from o ffering both Life and Non-life insurance serv ices.  Excluded from the scope of these commitments are compulsory insurance, 
including but not limited to motor vehicle insurance, collective accident  insurance for workers, depositors ' protection fund and social security fund.  
(i) Direct insurance 
 (A) Life insurance 
 (1) Unbound.  
(2) Unbound.  
(3) Unbound for 5 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 51%. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  (1) Unbound.  
(2) Unbound.  
(3) None. 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
                                                      
10 Environmental services exclude the provision of water for human use, including water collection, purification and distribution  through mains.  
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 (B) Non-life insurance (1) Unbound except for insurance 
services in international 
transportation, including of risks 
relating to: 
 (i) international maritime transport 
 and international commercial 
 aviation, with such insurance to 
 cover any or all of the 
 following: the goods being 
 transported, the vehicle 
 transporting the goods and any 
 liability arising there-from; and  
 (ii) goods in international transit. 
(2) Unbound except for insurance 
services in international 
transportation, including of risks 
relating to: 
 (i) international maritime transport 
 and international commercial 
 aviation, with such insurance to 
 cover any or all of the 
 following: the goods being 
 transported, the vehicle 
 transporting the goods and any 
 liability arising there-from; and  
 (ii) goods in international transit. 
(3) Unbound for 5 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 51%. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) Unbound except for insurance 
services in international 
transportation, including of risks 
relating to: 
 (i) international maritime transport 
 and international commercial 
 aviation, with such insurance to 
 cover any or all of the 
 following: the goods being 
 transported, the vehicle 
 transporting the goods and any 
 liability arising there-from; and  
 (ii) goods in international transit. 
(2) Unbound except for insurance 
services in international 
transportation, including of risks 
relating to: 
 (i) international maritime transport 
 and international commercial 
 aviation, with such insurance to 
 cover any or all of the 
 following: the goods being 
 transported, the vehicle 
 transporting the goods and any 
 liability arising there-from; and  
 (ii) goods in international transit. 
(3) None. 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
(ii) Reinsurance and retrocession (1) None.  
(2) None.  
(3) Unbound for 5 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, unbound 
except for foreign equity 
participation limited to 51%. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  (1) None.  
(2) None.  
(3) None.  
 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.    
   WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6
 Page 15Modes of supply: (1) Cross-Border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
(iv) Services auxiliary to insurance, such 
as consultancy, actuarial, risk 
assessment and claim settlement 
services.  
 (1) None.  
(2) None.  
(3) Unbound for 5 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 51%.  
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) None.  
(2) None.  
(3) None.  
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.   
B. Banking and other financial s ervices (excluding insurance) 
 Commitment is with respect to commercial banking only and limited to financial institutions licensed to provide banking servic es.  Foreign juridical person must incorporate 
as either a joint stock or limited liability company, but may not incorporate as a sole ownership limited liability company. 
(v) Acceptance of deposits and other 
repayable funds from the public 
(vi) Lending of all types, including, 
inter alia , consumer credit, mortgage 
credit, factoring and financing of 
commercial transactions 
(vii) Financial leasing 
(viii) All payment and money 
transmission services including 
credit, charge and debit cards, 
travellers cheques and bankers drafts 
(ix) Guarantees and commitments 
(x) Trading for own account or for 
account of customers, whether on an 
exchange, in an over-the-counter 
market or otherwise, the following: 
 (A) money market instruments 
(including cheques, bills, 
certificates of deposits);  
 (B) foreign exchange; 
 (C) derivative products, including, 
 but  not limited to, futures and 
 options; 
 (D) exchange rate and interest rate 
 instruments, including products 
 such as swaps, forward rate 
 agreements; 
 (E) transferable securities; 
 (F) other negotiable instruments 
 and financial assets, including (1) Unbound for 5 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, unbound 
except for: 
 (xv) Provision and transfer of 
financial information, and financial 
data processing and related software 
by suppliers of other financial 
services; and  
 (xvi) Advisory, intermediation and 
other auxiliary financial services on 
all the activities listed in 
subparagraphs (v) through (xv), 
including credit reference and 
analysis, investment and portfolio 
research and advice, advice on 
acquisitions and on corporate 
restructuring and strategy. 
(2) Unbound for 5 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, unbound 
except for: 
 (xv) Provision and transfer of 
financial information, and financial 
data processing and related software 
by suppliers of other financial 
services; and  
 (xvi) Advisory, intermediation and 
other auxiliary financial services on 
all the activities listed in 
subparagraphs (v) through (xv), 
including credit reference and (1) Unbound, for 5 years after the date 
of accession.  Th ereafter, unbound 
except for: 
  (xv) Provision and transfer of 
financial information, and financial 
data processing and related software 
by suppliers of other financial 
services; and  
 (xvi) Advisory, intermediation and 
other auxiliary financial services on 
all the activities listed in 
subparagraphs (v) through (xv), 
including credit reference and 
analysis, investment and portfolio 
research and advice, advice on 
acquisitions and on corporate 
restructuring and strategy. 
(2) Unbound for 5 years after the date of 
accession.  Thereafter, unbound 
except for: 
 (xv) Provision and transfer of 
financial information, and financial 
data processing and related software 
by suppliers of other financial 
services; and  
 (xvi) Advisory, intermediation and 
other auxiliary financial services on 
all the activities listed in 
subparagraphs (v) through (xv), 
including credit reference and   
  WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6 
Page 16 Modes of supply: (1) Cross-Border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
 bullion. 
(xv) Provision and transfer of financial 
information, and financial data 
processing and related software by 
suppliers of other financial services;  
(xvi) Advisory, intermediation and other 
auxiliary financial services on all the 
activities listed in subparagraphs (v) 
through (xv), including credit 
reference and analysis, investment 
and portfolio research and advice, 
advice on acquisitions and on 
corporate restructuring and strategy.  analysis, investment and portfolio 
research and advice, advice on 
acquisitions and on corporate 
restructuring and strategy. 
(3) For (v) to (x): Unbound for 5 years 
after the date of accession.  
Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 51%. 
 
 For (xv) to (xvi):  Unbound for 7 
years after the date of accession.  
Thereafter, foreign equity 
participation limited to 51%. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  analysis, investment and portfolio 
research and advice, advice on 
acquisitions and on corporate 
restructuring and strategy. 
(3) For (v) to (x):  None. 
 
 For (xv) to (xvi): The admission to 
the market of new financial services 
may be subject to the existence of, 
and consistency with, related laws 
and regulations. 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. 
8. PRIVATE HEALTH RELATED  AND SOCIAL SERVICES 
 (Other than those listed under II.1.A.h-j.) 
 The scope of private health related and social serv ices concerns only fully-p rivately funded services. 
A. Private hospital services 
(Modern hospital with more than 
100 beds in big cities only) 
(part of CPC 93110) (1) Unbound. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) Unbound. 
(2) None. 
(3) Unbound. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
9. TOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES
A. Hotels and restaurants 
 (including catering) 
(part of  CPC 641 (excluding 
guesthouses11 and 6419), CPC 642, 
and CPC 643) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) For lodging services:  limited to 
establishments with three stars rating 
or higher.  
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
                                                      
11 Defined as "furnished accommodati on with up to 14 bedrooms, main ly provided in private apartments  or homes on a temporary lodg ing, and with a two stars rating or 
lower".  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6
 Page 17Modes of supply: (1) Cross-Border supply  (2) Consumption abroad  (3) Commercial presence (4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or Sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
B. Travel agencies and tour operators 
services 
(CPC 7471)  (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 70%. 
 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign service supplying 
enterprises can only do inbound 
services. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
D. Other: 
- Tourism consultancy services (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except for executives and 
managers as per conditions in the 
horizontal section.  
11. TRANSPORT SERVICES 
C. Air Transport Services  
(d) Maintenance and repair of aircraft  
 (part of CPC 8868) (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) Foreign equity participation limited 
to 51%.  
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  
- Selling and marketing of air 
transport services 
- Computer reservation system (CRS) 
services  (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. (1) None. 
(2) None. 
(3) None. 
(4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section.  WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6 
Page 18 
 
 
  REFERENCE PAPER 
 
I. SCOPE 
 The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic 
telecommunications services. 
Definitions 
 Users mean service consumers and service suppliers.   
 Essential facilities mean facilities of a public te lecommunications transport network or service 
that: 
(a) are exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of suppliers; 
and 
(b) cannot feasibly be economically or tec hnically substituted in order to provide a 
service. 
 A major supplier is a supplier which has the ability to materially affect the terms of 
participation (having regard to price and supply) in the relevant market for basic 
telecommunications services as a result of: 
(a) control over essential facilities; or 
(b) use of its position in the market. 
1. Competitive safeguards 
1.1 Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications 
 Appropriate measures shall be maintained for the purpose of preventing suppliers who, alone 
or together, are a major supplier from engaging in or continuing anti-competitive practices. 
1.2 Safeguards 
 The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: 
(a) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization; 
 (b) using information obtained from comp etitors with anti-competitive results; and 
 (c) not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical 
information about essential facilities and co mmercially relevant information which 
are necessary for them to provide services. 
2. Interconnection 
2.1 This section applies to linking with supplie rs providing public telecommunications transport 
networks or services in order to allow the user s of one supplier to communicate with users of 
another supplier and to access services provi ded by another supplier, where specific 
commitments are undertaken.  WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6 
 Page 19 
 
 
  2.2 Interconnection to be ensured 
 Interconnection with a major supplier will be en sured at any technically feasible point in the 
network.  Such interconnection is provided: 
(a) under non-discriminatory terms, conditi ons (including technical standards and 
specifications) and rates and of a quality no l ess favourable than that provided for its 
own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers or for its 
subsidiaries or other affiliates; 
(b) in a timely fashion, on terms, c onditions (including technical standards and 
specifications) and cost-oriented rates that ar e transparent, reasonable, having regard 
to economic feasibility, and sufficiently unbundled so that the supplier need not pay 
for network components or facilities that it does not require for the service to be 
provided; and 
(c) upon request, at points in addition to the network termination points offered to the 
majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction of necessary additional facilities. 
2.3 Public availability of the pro cedures for interconnection negotiations 
 The procedures applicable for interconnection to a major supplier will be made publicly 
available. 
2.4 Transparency of interconnection arrangements 
 It is ensured that a major supplier will make  publicly available either its interconnection 
agreements or a reference interconnection offer. 
2.5 Interconnection:  dispute settlement 
 A service supplier requesting interconnection with  a major supplier will have recourse, either: 
(a) at any time; or 
(b) after a reasonable period of time which has been made publicly known to an 
independent domestic body, which may be a regulatory body as referred to in 
paragraph 5 below, to resolve disputes re garding appropriate terms, conditions and 
rates for interconnection within a reasonable period of time, to the extent that these 
have not been established previously. 
3. Universal service 
 Any Member has the right to define the ki nd of universal service obligation it wishes to 
maintain.  Such obligations will not  be regarded as anti-competitive per se , provided they are 
administered in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral manner and are 
not more burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal service defined by the Member. 
4. Public availability of licensing criteria 
 Where a licence is required, the followi ng will be made publicly available: 
(a) all the licensing criteria and the period of  time normally required to reach a decision 
concerning an application for a licence; and WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6 
Page 20 
 
 
  (b) the terms and conditions of individual licenses. 
 The reasons for the denial of a licence will be made known to the applicant upon request. 
5. Independent regulators 
 The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic 
telecommunications services.  The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators shall be 
impartial with respect to all market participants. 
6. Allocation and use of scarce resources 
 Any procedures for the allocation and use of s carce resources, including frequencies, numbers 
and rights of way, will be carried out in an objective, timely, transparent and 
non-discriminatory manner.  The current state of allocated frequency bands will be made 
publicly available, but detailed identification of frequencies allocated for specific government 
uses is not required. 
  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/LAO/6
 Page 21Lao PDR - LIST OF ARTICLE II (MFN) EXEMPTIONS 
Sector or sub-sector Descriptio n of the measure indicating its 
inconsistency with Article II Country or countries to which the 
measures applies Intended 
duration Conditions creating the need for the 
exemption 
Audiovisual services: - Production and 
distribution of 
television programmes 
and cinematographic 
works Measures based upon coproduction 
agreements of audiovisual works, which 
confer National Treatment to audiovisual 
works covered by such agreements. Countries with which such bilateral or 
plurilateral agreements are in force, 
now or in the future. Indefinite The aim of these agreements is to 
promote cultural links between the 
countries concerned. 
Audiovisual Services: - Production and 
distribution of 
television programmes 
and cinematographic 
works Measures granting the benefit of support 
programmes to audiovisual works, and 
suppliers of such works meeting origin 
criteria. Countries with which bilateral and 
plurilateral agreements are in force, 
now or in the future, in the area of 
cultural cooperation.  Indefinite These programmes aim at preserving and 
promoting the cultural identity of 
countries with which Lao PDR has a 
long-standing cultural links. 
Audiovisual Services: 
- Production and 
distribution of 
audiovisual works 
through broadcasting 
transmission to the 
public Measures which extend National Treatment to 
audiovisual works which meet certain origin 
criteria regarding access to broadcasting 
transmission. Countries with which bilateral or 
plurilateral agreements are in force, 
now or in the future, in the area of 
cultural cooperation. Indefinite These measures ai m, within the sector, to 
promote cultural values both within Lao 
PDR, and with other countries, including 
in the region. 
Internal Waterways and land 
transport Preferential treatment  for transportation 
cooperation within Mekong river basin. Parties to the Greater Mekong 
Subregion agreement. Indefinite To facilitate tourism and trade, including 
freight and passenger transportation 
between countries in the subregion. 
All sectors Measures extending  preferential treatment to 
services and services suppliers under bilateral 
investment and trade agreements.  Parties to bilateral agreements with 
Lao PDR that entered into force 
before the date of accession. Duration of 
bilateral 
agreements The aim is to promote investment and 
foster development in Lao PDR. 
 
 
__________