WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: PRIORITIES FOR U.S.

UNCLAS VIENNA 000074 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD AU WTO SUBJECT: WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: PRIORITIES FOR U.S. SERVICE SUPPLIERS IN AUSTRIA REF: 04 SECSTATE 270998 ¶1. Per reftel request, following is a ranking of service sectors in terms of market access priorities (1 is top priority) for U.S. service providers in Austria, as well as post's assessment of the current level of market openness for each sector (high, medium, low): Sectors with rank of 1 -------------- --Computer and related services (high) --Telecommunication (and Internet) services (medium) Sectors with rank of 2 -------------- --Distribution services, particularly franchising (high) --Advertising services (high) --Management consulting services (high) --Banking and other financial services (high) --Courier services (express delivery) (medium) --Research and development services (medium) --Educational services (medium) Sectors with rank of 3 -------------- --Tourism and travel-related services (high) --Related scientific and technical consulting services (high) --Market research and public opinion (high) --Convention services (high) --Recreation and sporting services (high) --Insurance services (high) --Photographic services (high) --Legal services (medium) --Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services (medium) --Rental/Leasing services (medium) --Audiovisual services (medium) Sectors with rank of 4 -------------- --Technical testing and analysis services (high) --Construction and related engineering (medium) --Environmental services (medium) --Placement and supply services of personnel (medium) --Engineering and integrated engineering services (medium) --Architectural services (low) --Urban planning and landscape architectural services (low) --Energy services (low) Sectors with rank of 5 -------------- --Services incidental to mining (high) --Related scientific and technical consulting services (high) --Maintenance and repair of equipment (high) --Packaging services (high) --Taxation services (medium) --Investigation and security (medium) --Building-cleaning services (medium) --Printing, publishing (medium) --Real estate services (medium) --Services incidental to agriculture, hunting and forestry, and fishing (medium) ¶2. In principle, Austrian laws make no distinction between Austrian and foreign firms with regard to access for services. However, some minor non-tariff barriers exist, particularly in the telecom, and legal and accounting services sectors. Regarding private sector management of social security funds, private companies have no access to the basic mandatory social insurance funds in Austria (public pension, health, accident, and unemployment funds). Private companies can, however, compete in the sectors of supplementary insurance and private pension funds. BROWN