French Firms in Services Trade: a Detailed Comparison with Trade in Goods

Submitted by administrateur on 26 January, 2010 - 12:02

Publication Type:

Seminar Presentation

Authors:

G. Gaulier; D. Mirza; E. Milet

Source:

Workshop Banque de France –CEPII (2009)

Keywords:

commerce extérieur, compétitivité, Europe de l'Ouest, France, industrie, service

Abstract:

• Paradox 1:
– While services represent around 65-70% of advanced economies’ GDP
– Trade in services 5 times lower than in goods

• Most common reasons given by policymakers:
– Trading services might be more costly than trading goods
– (personal services)

• Policy implication: remove fixed costs type barriers to trading services (ie. GATS, EU Services Directive, etc…)