Data is critical in all feilds fo work. International trade policy is no exception. While goods trade has reliable and robust data (global value chains notwithstanding), services sector trade lags behind in accurate data. For ost part, the balance of payment data in national economies has been the source of data for international trade in services - in terms of sectors and types of services trade.
Came across this database on the WTO website related to services trade - TISMOS. A more detailed account of the preparation of the dataset and its features are found here.
There is more information on international trade data sets here. Capacity to negotiate as well as engage in meaningful trade policy formulation depends on how one analyses data and uses it. Developing countries often lack that capacity. Wonder if these datasets are being effectively utilised to shape a country's thinking, strategy and position in international trade negotiation. Bilateral or regional trade negotiations, I meant.
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