WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: U.S. MARKET-ACCESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000060 SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR GENEVA FOR USTR ALICIA GREENIDGE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD WTO NI SUBJECT: WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: U.S. MARKET-ACCESS PRIORITIES IN NIGERIA REF: STATE 270998 ¶1. The following responds to ref's request for information about U.S. service suppliers' market access in Nigeria. This cable ranks Nigerian sectors' level of priority for U.S. service providers (a value from 1 to 5, with "1" being a top priority for U.S. service suppliers). This rating is based on the number of U.S. companies operating in Nigerian service sectors, as well as on the number of U.S. firms contacting the U.S. Mission Nigeria including the U.S. Commercial Service-Nigeria about establishing operations in Nigeria. This survey also assigns an informal ranking (high, medium, or low) for Nigeria's current level of market openness to U.S. service providers. ¶2. U.S. firms' access to Nigerian service sectors: -- Legal services (3, medium) -- Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services (3, medium) -- Taxation services (3, medium) -- Architectural services (4, medium) -- Engineering and integrated engineering services (2, medium) -- Urban planning and landscape architectural services (5, medium) -- Computer and related services (1, high) -- Research and development services (5, medium) -- Real estate services (5, low) -- Rental/leasing services (5, low) -- Advertising services (5, medium) -- Market research and public opinion, polling services (3, medium) -- Management consulting services (2, high) -- Technical testing and analysis services (including energy- related testing services) (1, high) -- Services incidental to agriculture, hunting and forestry, and fishing (4, high) -- Services incidental to mining (2, high) -- Energy services (including land site preparation, drilling, and plugging; and excluding services incidental to energy distribution) (1, medium, with substantial concerns regarding pending legislation) -- Placement and supply services of personnel (3, medium) -- Investigation and security (2, high) -- Related scientific and technical consulting services (2, high) -- Maintenance and repair of equipment (2, high) -- Building-cleaning services (5, low) -- Photographic services (4, medium) -- Packaging services (5, medium) -- Printing, publishing (5, medium) -- Convention services (5, medium) -- Courier services (express delivery) (1, high) -- Telecommunication services (1, high) -- Audiovisual services (1, high) -- Construction and related engineering (4, medium) -- Distribution services, including commission agents' services, wholesale trade services, retailing services, and franchising (4, low) -- Educational services, including higher education services, adult education (i.e., vocational),other education services (testing and computer or language training) (3, high) -- Environmental services (wastewater treatment, sanitation, protection of ambient air and climate, remediation and clean up, noise and vibration abatement, and biodiversity protection) (3, medium) -- Insurance services (2, medium) -- Banking and other financial services including securities (3, medium to high) -- Tourism and travel-related services (including hotels and restaurants, catering, travel agencies and tour operator services, and tourist guide services) (3, medium) -- Recreation and sporting services (other than audiovisual services),including entertainment services (including theatre, live bands, and circus services); news agency services; libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural services; sporting and other recreational services (5, high) ¶3. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Decree of 1995 allows 100-percent foreign ownership of firms outside the petroleum sector; investment in the oil and gas sector is limited to joint ventures or new production- sharing contracts or agreements. Industries considered crucial to Nigeria's national security, such as firearms, ammunition, and military and paramilitary apparel, are reserved for domestic investors. Foreign investors must register with the NIPC after incorporation under the Companies and Allied Matters Act. The act prohibits the nationalization or expropriation of foreign enterprises. ¶4. The U.S. Commercial Service office in Nigeria publishes annually a comprehensive overview of Nigeria's commercial environment in its "Country Commercial Guide" for Nigeria. The most recent version of this publication can be viewed at http://www.buyusa.gov/nigeria/en/. CAMPBELL