Abstract

This paper, the first in a series of services and SDG-related publications, aims to not only provide the basis for further work in this area, but also to encourage and support positive service sector policy change in the world’s poorest countries. The paper provides a conceptual framework, developed by Professor Bernard Hoekman and Dr Matteo Fiorini from the European University Institute, which identifies the primary channels through which services effect the SDGs. Complementing this conceptual framework is a set of criteria, designed to guide policymakers in prioritising competitiveness-enhancing policy change in particular service sectors, and a series of illustrative indicators, geared towards identifying the impact of services on the SDGs. These were advanced by Marta Soprana, trade policy consultant specialised in services trade.