There has been considerable expansion of trade in services in recent years. However, there are numerous non-tariff barriers to such trade, especially when it occurs through the temporary movement of the service provider to the overseas market or the movement of natural persons. A number of developing countries have significant potential for exporting many services through temporary movement of professionals, as well as semi-skilled and unskilled workers. The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) thus far has limited implications for liberalising service trade through the movement of natural persons.
