PRIORITIES FOR WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS FOR CZECH

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000046

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE AND EB/TPP/MTA/MST
COMMERCE FOR 4232/ITA/MAC/MROGERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD BEXP EZ BMOT WTO
SUBJECT: PRIORITIES FOR WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS FOR CZECH
REPUBLIC

REF: STATE 270998


1. Embassy Prague has reviewed the list of services sectors
transmitted reftel. We submit the following rating of
sectors in the Czech Republic that offer the highest
potential for U.S. services providers. Ratings are from 5
(highest) to 1 (lowest).


2. --Legal services 5
--Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services 5
--Taxation services 5
--Architectural services 5
--Engineering and integrated engineering services 5
--Urban planning and landscape architectural services 5
--Computer and related services 5
--Research and development services 5
--Real estate services 5
--Rental/Leasing Services 5
--Advertising services 3
--Market research and public opinion, polling services 5
--Management consulting services 5
--Technical testing and analysis services (including energy
related testing services) 3
--Services incidental to agriculture, hunting and forestry,
and fishing 2
--Services incidental to mining 2
--Energy services (including land site preparation, drilling
and plugging). Services incidental to energy
distribution 5
--Placement and supply services of personnel 3
--Investigation and security 5
--Related scientific and technical consulting services 3
--Maintenance and repair of equipment 2
--Building-cleaning services 2
--Photographic services 2
--Packaging services 3
--Printing, publishing 3
--Convention services 5
--Courier services (Express Delivery) 2
--Telecommunication services 4
--Audiovisual services 3
--Construction and related engineering 5
--Distribution Services, including: commission agents'
services, wholesale trade services, retailing services,
and franchising 4
--Educational Services, including: higher education
services, adult education (i.e., vocational),
other education services (i.e., testing and computer
or language training) 5
--Environmental services (wastewater treatment, sanitation,
protection of ambient air and climate, remediation and
clean up, noise and vibration abatement, and biodiversity
protection) 5
--Insurance services 5
--Banking and other financial services including
securities 5 (Social Security funds are solely managed by
the state. Voluntary retirement insurance funds are
permitted and some opportunities for management exist.
Proposals for changes to the system that might add private
retirement accounts to the government insurance scheme are
being considered, but are unlikely to be passed under the
current government.)
--Tourism and travel-related services, including: hotels and
restaurants, catering, travel agencies and tour operators
services, and tourist guides services 3
--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. 4


3. The level of openness of all sectors of the Czech economy
for foreign service providers is generally high. Certain
educational, certification and licensing requirements apply
for providers of professional services. Membership in a
professional organizations, such as the bar association, may
also be required.
HILLAS