The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Bank have introduced new tools to assist developing economies in enhancing their services trade. The announcement was made during a conference on December 3, 2025.
The central feature of this initiative is the TS4D platform, which provides policymakers and the public with access to information about the WTO-World Bank joint efforts and related workstreams. Martin Roy, Counsellor at the WTO, presented the platform on behalf of both organizations. He described one of its main features: the Trade in Services Competitiveness Dashboard, an interactive tool that allows policymakers to evaluate their countries' performance in services trade, compare it with other economies, and guide strategy development.
Roy stated: "The purpose of the platform is to provide access to different capacity-building tools developed under the umbrella of the Trade in Services for Development initiative and to facilitate information sharing between international organizations on support and capacity-building initiatives related to services trade." He added: "This tool will make it easier for policy-makers to assess their economy's strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and gaps on services trade, paving the way for priority-setting and the development of national strategies."
Sébastien Dessus, Manager of the Trade Policy and Facilitation Unit at the World Bank, outlined two key benefits of the dashboard. He said: "The first is that bringing together all this data reveals the strength and richness of the services sector. Services trade provides scope for diversification, which is very important amid concerns about overdependence. The second is the integration of all this information. There is no Ministry of Services Trade or Ministry of Services in any country, and this tool provides a comprehensive picture that enables informed choices." Dessus also mentioned ongoing collaboration with governments in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and East Asia to implement these tools. The World Bank is increasing cooperation with private sector partners as part of these efforts.
In addition to digital tools, both organizations launched a handbook focused on good regulatory practices (GRPs) for facilitating services trade. The handbook offers case studies and practical guidance aimed at helping governments align domestic regulations with established GRPs and prepare for reforms. Its goal is to create more transparent, efficient, and predictable regulatory environments that can attract investment.
The TS4D platform also highlights a multi-agency project aimed at identifying best practices for export promotion strategies in services within developing countries. This project involves contributions from agencies including UNECLAC (the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean), African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank through country case studies.
Other resources available via TS4D include information on service trade statistics and policy data—such as details about databases like the joint World Bank-WTO Services Trade Policy Database (STPD) and Services Trade Restrictions Index (STRI).
A training program targeting senior trade officials from developing economies is being held alongside the conference at WTO headquarters as part of broader capacity-building activities under this initiative.