WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: GREEK

UNCLAS ATHENS 000171

SIPDIS

E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: ETRD GR
SUBJECT: WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: GREEK
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR U.S. MARKET ACCESS
PRIORITIES AND OPENNESS OF THE MARKET

REF: STATE 270998


1. Greece as a member of the EU has an open market and services represent the largest and fastest growing sectors of the Greek economy. U.S. and other non-EU investors receive less advantageous treatment than domestic or EU investors in the banking, mining, broadcasting, maritime and air transport sectors (these sectors were opened to EU citizens due to EU single market rules). Greece is in the process of deregulating its energy sector.


2. Below is the list of services sectors and sub- sectors as included in reftel followed by Embassy's ranking of U.S. market access priorities and Greece's current level of market openness. --Legal services: 5, medium --Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services: 1, medium --Taxation services: 5, low --Architectural services: 3, high --Engineering and integrated engineering services: 3, high --Urban planning and landscape architectural services: 5, high --Computer and related services: 1, high --Research and development services: 5, high --Real estate services: 3, high --Rental/Leasing Services: 1, high --Advertising services: 1, high --Market research and public opinion, polling services: 1, high --Management consulting services: 1, high --Technical testing and analysis services (including energy related testing services): 1, high --Services incidental to agriculture, hunting and forestry, and fishing: 5, high --Services incidental to mining: 5, low --Energy services (including land site preparation, drilling and plugging): 1, medium (in deregulation process) --Services incidental to energy distribution: 1, medium (in deregulation process) --Placement and supply services of personnel: 2, high --Investigation and security: 1, high --Related scientific and technical consulting services: 3, high --Maintenance and repair of equipment: 4, high --Building-cleaning services: 5, high --Photographic services: 1, high --Packaging services: 4, high --Printing, publishing: 4, high --Convention services: 3, high --Courier services (Express : 1, high --Audiovisual services: 4, low --Construction and related engineering: 3, high --Distribution Services, including: commission agents' services, wholesale trade services, retailing services, and franchising: 1, high --Educational Services, including: higher education services, adult education (i.e., vocational),other education services (i.e., testing and computer or language training): 2, high (except in higher education services where the market is open for the establishment of higher education institutes but problems exist in the recognition of degrees) --Environmental services (wastewater treatment, sanitation, protection of ambient air and climate, remediation and clean up, noise and vibration abatement, and biodiversity protection): 1, high --Insurance services: 2, high --Banking and other financial services including securities: 3, medium (Greece does not allow private sector management of its social security funds) --Tourism and travel-related services, including: hotels and restaurants, catering, travel agencies and tour operators services: 1, high except tourist guides services where restrictions exist -- Recreations 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: 3, high -- sporting and other recreational services: 1, high
RIES