India’s remarkable trade performance in the global commercial services sector has been highlighted in a recent report by the World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO). The report reveals that India’s share of global commercial services exports has doubled from 2% in 2005 to 4.4% in 2022. This significant growth can be attributed to various factors, including the rise of the services sector and the implementation of reforms to facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) in services.
Expanding Role in Global Commercial Services Exports
India, along with China, has achieved impressive progress in global commercial services exports, according to the report. Both countries have doubled their share from 2005 to 2022, with China’s share increasing from 3.0% to 5.4%, and India’s from 2.0% to 4.4%. These figures clearly demonstrate the increasing importance of these economies in international services trade.
Job Creation and Cross-Border Services
The report also emphasizes the positive impact of cross-border services exports on job creation. In India, South Africa, and Türkiye, more than 10% of jobs in the services sector are directly linked to cross-border services exports. This highlights the significant role of the services sector in generating employment opportunities and driving economic growth in these countries.
Upskilling and Reskilling for Future Competitiveness
To maintain competitiveness and move up the value chain, the report advises India and the Philippines to focus on upskilling and reskilling their workforces. The rapid pace of technological advancements necessitates investment in research and development (R&D) and the development of domestic services sectors. This will enable these countries to adapt to emerging trends and remain competitive in the global market.
Medical Travel and Foreign Patients
The report acknowledges India as a preferred destination for medical travel, with approximately 3.5 million foreign patients visiting the country between 2009 and 2019. Patients from developed countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as developing countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, seek high-quality treatment at more affordable prices in India. This trend contributes significantly to India’s growth in commercial services exports.
Services Value-added and Foreign Manufacturing Value Chains
India’s experience highlights the importance of services value-added, which accounted for over 51% of the country’s total exports in 2018. This underscores the significant contribution of the services sector to India’s economy. Moreover, reforms that facilitate FDI in services have ignited positive growth dynamics by boosting participation in foreign manufacturing value chains.
Digital Transformation and Services Trade
The period from 2005 to 2022 witnessed a significant transformation in the composition of services trade, driven by advances in information and communications technologies (ICT). Global commercial services exports nearly tripled during this time, with digitally delivered services experiencing an almost four-fold increase. This underscores the growing significance of technology in driving services trade.
Relative Performance of Countries in Global Commercial Services Exports
China:
- Doubled its share of global commercial services exports from 3.0% in 2005 to 5.4% in 2022.
- Experienced significant growth in services trade, driven by advances in information and communications technologies (ICT).
- Plays a leading role as a services exporter and importer, contributing to its expanding share in the global market.
India:
- Doubled its share of global commercial services exports from 2.0% in 2005 to 4.4% in 2022.
- Showcased impressive trade performance, highlighting the rising importance of the services sector in India’s economy.
- Recognized as a popular destination for medical travel, attracting approximately 3.
5 million foreign patients between 2009 and 2019.
- Reforms facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) in services have contributed to positive growth dynamics and increased participation in foreign manufacturing value chains.
South Africa and Türkiye:
- Jobs directly linked to cross-border services exports account for more than 10% of total services sector jobs in these countries.
- Highlights the significance of cross-border services in generating employment opportunities and driving economic growth.
Digitally Delivered Services:
- Exports of digitally delivered services increased almost four-fold between 2005 and 2022.
- Reflects the impact of technological advancements, particularly in information and communications technologies (ICT), on the composition of services trade.
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