Commercial Presence in the Hospital Sector under GATS: A Case Study of India

Abstract

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is the first multilateral agreement under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) relating to trade in services. India is a member of WTO and a signatory to GATS. India is also the only country in the South-East Asia Region which has in its schedule of specific commitments included Hospital Services. This paper looks closely at the implications of GATS for India under the mode of supply called commercial presence. Specifically, this research attempts to understand whether foreign investment in the hospital sector is going to be consistent with the health sector goals of the country, in terms of access, availability and affordability of quality health care.