NLUO invites registrations for certificate course on International Trade in Services

The Center for International Trade Law (CITL), National Law University Odisha (NLUO) is offering a one credit certificate course on 'International Trade in Services: Legal Framework, Negotiations, and Services Trade Policies'.

The course will delve into the international legal framework for services trade and the resultant consequences for the liberalisation of services sectors and development of domestic regulatory frameworks including substantially independent regulators.

In this context, services trade negotiation dynamics in both the WTO and regional/ bilateral trade agreements will be analysed, and the evolution and current status of such negotiations will be studied.

Students will understand how to read, prepare and interpret services schedules of countries as well as the nascent jurisprudence on services trade related matters that has developed thus far in the WTO. The current raging and sometimes controversial debates on the rise and rise of e-commerce would also be touched upon.

A prior basic course in International Trade Law is advisable, but it is not a prerequisite, to understand the overall global architecture for trade and the fundamental principles of the trading system.

Course Objectives

1. To familiarise students with the rapidly evolving global services trade architecture and legal framework

2. To deepen the understanding of the main provisions of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and their implementation

3. To provide better comprehension of the complexities and divergent issues in services trade negotiations

Course Outcome

1. Be sufficiently informed about the nature of the GATS under the WTO

2. Be able to analyse the impact of services trade policies for businesses, consumers, and the role of governments

3. Develop skill sets to advise the various stakeholders on strategic decisions to take advantages of the opportunities created or suitable responses to the challenges that arise

Course structure and readings can be found in the brochure.

Resource Person

The course will be conducted by Sumanta Chaudhuri.

Sumanta Chaudhuri is a retired IAS officer with two decades of experience in international trade issues. He had held positions of Joint Secretary, and Director, Department of Commerce, Government of India and handled Trade Policy Division dealing with WTO issues and regional and bilateral trade engagements including the negotiations on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

He was also Deputy Chief Negotiator for the India-European Union (EU) and India-European Free Trade Association Broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) negotiations.

Course Requirements

• Attendance: 75%

• Evaluation: Examination at the end of the course for 50 Marks

• Exam Timing: 2 Hours

• Mode of Teaching: Online through google meet.

• Duration of the Course: The course will be conducted from August 11 to August 21 on weekdays.

• Examination: August 25, 2025, in online mode.

• Declaration of Results: by August 31, 2025

• Issue of Certificates: by September 30, 2025

• Registration Fee: ₹1,000/- (See payment guidelines for online payment)

• Payment guidelines can be accessed via this link.

• Last Date for Registration: August 3, 2025

• Google form to register for the course can be accessed via this link.

• Contact: sheelarai@nluo.ac.in, citl@nluo.ac.in

[Read Brochure]

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