Higher Education and the General Agreement on Trade in Services
(GATS)
In 2000, the United States representative to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) proposed adding higher education services to the
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The purposes of GATS are
to expand free trade in services, open markets, and facilitate economic
growth. GATS also covers the following service sectors: communications;
construction and engineering; distribution; environment; financial;
health; tourism and travel; recreation, cultural, and sporting; and
transportation. The higher education services market was estimated in
1999 at approximately $30 billion, with the United States holding the
largest market share.
