NEGOCIACIONES COMERCIALES MULTILATERALES RONDA URUGUAY

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1 NEGOCIACIONES COMERCIALES MULTILATERALES RONDA URUGUAY Grupo de Negociaciones sobre Servicios RESTRICTJ i MTN.GNS/TV :"»5 28 de octubre Í C 1993 Distribución especial (UR ) Original: inglés COMUNICACIÓN DE LA REPÚBLICA DE CHIPRE Oferta condicional de la República de Chipre en materia de compromisos iniciales sobre el comercio de servicios La comunicación siguiente se distribuye a los miembros del Grupo de Negociaciones sobre Servicios a petición de la República de Chipre. 1. La República de Chipre presenta su oferta condicional 1 en materia de compromisos iniciales sobre el comercio de servicios. 2. Esta oferta está condicionada al resultado de la Ronda Uruguay, en particular a la conclusión con éxito de las negociaciones sobre servicios de forma que se juzgue beneficiosa para el desarrollo económico de Chipre, así como a la negociación satisfactoria de un texto final del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios, incluidos los anexos sectoriales. 3. Chipre se reserva el derecho de modificar, ampliar, reducir o retirar esta oferta, en todo o en parte, en función del resultado de las negociaciones sobre servicios y del resultado global de la Ronda Uruguay. 4. Chipre se reserva también el derecho de introducir cambios de carácter técnico en su oferta y corregir los errores, omisiones o inexactitudes que puedan haberse cometido por inadvertencia o por otras razones. 5. Si la oferta se llevara a la práctica, Chipre consolidaría el régimen actual de acceso a los mercados y trato nacional en la mayoría de los sectores en que se establecieran compromisos específicos. 6. La oferta de Chipre consta de dos partes. La Parte I contiene disposiciones horizontales aplicables a todos los sectores y subsectores sobre los que se ofrecen compromisos específicos en la Parte II. La Parte II contiene los compromisos específicos que se ofrecen sobre los sectores y subsectores enumerados. 7. La oferta ha sido establecida en función del proyecto de GATS (documento MTN. TNC/W/FA) y la nota explicativa de la Secretaría sobre la consignación en listas de los compromisos iniciales en la esfera del comercio de servicios (de fecha 22 de diciembre de 1992), aunque también se ha tenido en cuenta el documento de la Secretaría sobre disposiciones especiales para los países en desarrollo. 8. Por motivos de claridad, debe tomarse nota de los siguientes puntos técnicos: 'inglés solamente SECRETARIA DEL GATT

2 MTN.GNS/W/175 Página 2 i) La indicación "None" en la Parte II significa que no se aplican otras limitaciones o condiciones más que las mencionadas en la Parte I aunque sí se aplican todas las limitaciones y condiciones horizontales señaladas en la Parte I. ii) iii) La indicación "None" en la columna relativa al trato nacional significa que no se aplican otras limitaciones que las que afectan al acceso a los mercados, aunque sí se aplican todas las limitaciones y condiciones consignadas en la columna dedicada al acceso a los mercados que afecten al trato nacional. Sólo se ofrecen compromisos con respecto a cada uno de los cuatro modos de prestación en la medida en que así se hace constar con referencia al modo de prestación en cuestión y no cabe suponer que el compromiso ofrecido con respecto a un modo de prestación se extiende a otros. 9. Serán aplicables las siguientes condiciones y calificaciones generales, aunque no se establezcan en la oferta limitaciones o condiciones con respecto a un determinado sector o subsector: i) Condiciones por motivos de seguridad nacional o de carácter público. ii) La oferta no afecta de ningún modo a los servicios prestados en el ejercicio de funciones de gobierno. Tampoco afecta a las medidas que pertenecen al ámbito del comercio de mercancías, aunque estas mercancías constituyan insumos de uno de los servicios incluidos en la lista o de otros servicios. Además, seguirán vigentes las limitaciones aplicables al acceso a los mercados o al trato nacional que afectan a servicios que pueden ser insumos de un servicio incluido en la lista o se pueden utilizar para prestar un servicio de este tipo. 10. La lista de leyes y reglamentos incluida en esta oferta no debe ser considerada una referencia exhaustiva de todas las leyes y reglamentos que afectan a cada uno de los sectores de servicios. En concreto, no se han incluido como condiciones o limitaciones al acceso a los mercados y al trato nacional las medidas cualitativas no discriminatorias, por ejemplo, las normas técnicas y las disposiciones para proteger la salud y el medio ambiente, el régimen de licencias, ciertas consideraciones precautorias, las calificaciones profesionales y las normas de competencia.

3 PART I: HORIZONTAL MEASURES THAT APPLY TO ALL SERVICES Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments ALL SECTORS* Public Procurement (1) to (4) Overseas tenderers should co-operate with local firm. (2) Movement of consumers is subject to the National Guard Law. (Laws ) (3) Foreign Investment (3) Foreign Investment Foreign exchange controls are operative in Cyprus and administered by the Central Bank in co-operation with all commercial banks which have been designated authorised dealers. Entities with foreign participation must have paid up capital commensurate with their finance requirements and non-residents must finance their contribution through importation of foreign exchange. (T) Cross-border Supply (2) Consumption Abroad (5) Commercial Presence (4) Presence of Natural Persons 5" a The limitations on "all sectors" are applicable to commitments taken in each sector or sub-sector which is individually Usted in Part II of this offer.

4 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments ALL SECTORS (cont'd) Under the Exchange Control Law the permission of the Central Banks is required for the participation of any non-resident in a corporate body or partnership in Cyprus. There may be limitations in certain sectors regarding foreign participation, which is normally restricted to up to 49% In the case of public companies, foreign equity participation is normally allowed to the extent of up to 30%. In Mutual Funds the extent of allowable foreign ownership is 40%. The decisión to grant permission for foreign ownership is based on an economic needs test, for which the following criteria are used in general: In case the non-resident participation exceeds 24%, any additional financing for working capital requirements or otherwise should be raised from local and foreign sources in proportion to the participation of residents and non-residents in the entity's equity. In íhe case of branches of foreign companies, borrowing is not normally permitted. 3" tu (a) Provisión of services which are new to Cyprus. (T) Cross-border Supply (2) Consumption Abroad (5) Commercial Presence (4) Presence of Natural Persons

5 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments ALL SECTORS (cont'd) (b) Promotion of the export orientation of the economy with development of existing and new mexkets. (c) Transfer of modern technology, know-how and new management techniques. (d) Improvement either of the productive structure of the economy or of the quality of existing products and services. (e) (f) Complementary impact on existing units or activities. Viability of proposed project. (g) Creation of new job opportunities for scientists, qualitative improvement and training of local staff. (T) Cross-border Supply (2) Consumption Abroad (3) Commercial Presence (4) Presence of Natural Persons

6 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments OQ H 5- Z O ALL SECTORS (cont'd) Corporate bodies have to be registered under the Companies Law. The same law requires that a foreign company wishing to establish a place of business or an office in Cyprus must register it as a foreign branch. For the registration the prior approval of the Central Bank is required under the Exchange Control Law. Such approval is subject to the foreign investment policy applicable at the time with regard to the Corporate Body's proposed activities in Cyprus and the general investment criteria stipulated above. Z 09 Real Estáte Unbound (T) Cross-border Supply (2~) Consumption Abroad (5) Commercial Presence (4) Presence of Natural Persons

7 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments ALL SECTORS (cont'd) (4) Unbound, except for the (4) Under the Exchange Control temporary movement of foreign Law, non-residents are not normally natural persons who are service permitted to borrow from local suppliers or who are employed by sources. service suppliers and whose entry into Cyprus is subject to the Aliens and Immigration laws, regulations and administrative guidelines. Entry permits for employment are issued on a temporary basis in fields and occupations where no suitably qualified local personnel is available, always taking into account the employment situation and economic needs of the country. An application for such a permit must be made before entry into Cyprus. A visa may also be required, which is normally granted with a mínimum of formalities upon arrival in Cyprus. (1) Cross-border Supply (2) Consumption Abroad (5) Commercial Presence (4) Presence of Natural Persons

8 PART II: SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS IN INDIVIDUAL SECTORS "8 2 ao H a - Z 00 Q Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments Z PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Accounting, Auditing and Bookkeeping services (CPC862) (1) Unbound (3) Access is restricted to natural persons who have obtained authorization from the Minister of Finance. Authorization is subject to an economic needs test. Professional association (partnerships) among natural persons is permitted. No body corporate is allowed. Taxation Services (CPC 863) (4) Unbound (4) Unbound (1) Tax agents must be duly authorised by the Minister of Finance. Authorization is subject to an economic needs test.

9 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments Taxation Services (cont'd) (CPC 863) (3) Access is restricted to natural persons who have obtained authorization from the Minister of Finance. Authorization is subject to an economic needs test. Professional association (partnerships) among natural persons is permitted. No body corporate is allowed. (4) Unbound (4) Unbound COMPUTER AND RELATED SERVICES Consultancy Services related to the Installation of Computer Hardware (CPC 841)

10 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limiiutions on National Treatment Additional Commitments Software Implementation Services (CPC 842) 63» rra 3 tu O 2 H Z O </2 z ^»_t ^J Wl Data Processing Services (CPC 843) Data Base Services (CPC 844)

11 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Research and Development Services on Social Sciences and Humanities (CPC 852) INSURANCE AND INSURANCE RELATED SERVICES Life Insurance Services (CPC 8121) (1) No person or company can opérate as an insurer within the Republic of Cyprus unless so authorised by the Superintendent of Insurance.

12 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments Life Insurance Services (cont'd) (CPC 8121) Foreign Insurance companies may offer insurance services through the establishment of a branch or agency. In both cases an authorization is required in accordance with terms and conditions stipulated by the Insurance Act. The foreign insurer must have been authorised to opérate in its country of origin before authorised to establish a branch or agency. TJ CTQ & D 65 N) 2 H Z O z co ^ ^ -~j i_/< (3) Restricted to insurance companies registered in Cyprus and so authorised by the Superintendent of Insurance, in accordance with national regulations. Investment by non-residents in insurance companies requires the prior approval of the Central Bank.

13 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments Life Insurance Services (cont'd) (CPC 8121) Non-Life Insurance Services (8129 other than 81299) The share of foreign participation in the capital of local insurance companies is determined on a case by case basis, in accordance with economic needs. (4) Unbound (1) No person or company can opérate as an insurer within the Republic of Cyprus unless so authorised by the Superintendent of Insurance. International marine, aviation and transit services can be offered without any limitation by any insurer, irrespective whether authorised or not in Cyprus.

14 Sector or Sub-Sector Limitations on Market Access Limitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments Non-Life Insurance Services (cont'd) (8129 other than 81299) Foreign Insurance companies may offer insurance services through the establishment of a branch or agency, In both cases an authorization is required in accordance with terms and conditions stipulated by the Insurance Act. The foreign insurer must have been authorised to opérate in its country of origin before authorised to establish a branch or agency. (3) Restricted to insurance companies registered in Cyprus and so authorised by the Superintendent of Insurance, in accordance with national regulations. Investment by non-residents in insurance companies requires the previous approval of the Central Bank.