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FTAA.ngsv/com/16
March 8, 2002

Original: English

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON SERVICES

Sixteenth Meeting

Panama City, Panama, March 5 - 8, 2002

PRESS COMMUNIQUE

The sixteenth meeting of the FTAA Negotiating Group on Services (NGSV) took place in Panama City, Panama on March 5- 8, 2002.  Delegates from the following 22 countries were present: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The NGSV discussed all of the items in the agenda, which is attached to this Communiqué.

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON SERVICES

AGENDA

1. Approval of the Agenda

2. Presentation of New Proposals

3. Modalities and Procedures for the Negotiations

4. Reports from other FTAA Groups and Committees

5. Submissions from Civil Society*

6. Discussion of the Draft Consolidated Text on Services:
   • Scope of application and sectoral coverage
   • Transparency
   • Denial of benefits
   • Definitions
   • Elements related to the above
   • Domestic regulation

7. Other Issues

8. Chair’s Report

9. Press Communiqué