# WTO, ADB and World Bank Introduce Services Trade Initiative to Asia-Pacific Region

> The World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Bank have brought the Trade in Services for Development (TS4D) initiative to Asia and the Pacific during a regional conference attended by trade officials from 25 economies....

- Canonical URL: https://pressclubai.com/pc-42dc4b6093-wto-adb-and-world-bank-introduce-services-trade-in/
- Markdown URL: https://pressclubai.com/pc-42dc4b6093-wto-adb-and-world-bank-introduce-services-trade-in/index.html.md
- Published: 2026-10-17T00:49:00+11:00
- Updated: 2026-10-16T02:50:03+11:00
- Author: PressClubAi
- Source: World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Source URL: https://wto.org/english/news_e/news26_e/ts4d_28sep26_499_e.htm
- Source context: International trade organisation, Primary source
- Source note: Official trade organisation material; statements and policy framing reflect the organisation.
- Categories: business, economy, national news
- Tags: "Asia-Pacific, asian development bank, economic development, trade in services, world bank, wto

## Story

The World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Bank have brought the Trade in Services for Development (TS4D) initiative to Asia and the Pacific during a regional conference attended by trade officials from 25 economies.

The TS4D initiative, originally launched in September 2024 by the WTO and the World Bank, provides a platform designed to deliver technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and capacity building to assist developing economies in utilizing services trade for economic development.

Hosted by the ADB, the conference covered topics including services trade competitiveness, digital services, export promotion strategies, and good regulatory practices. Following the conference, the WTO and the World Bank conducted a training session for regional government officials focusing on analytical tools developed under the TS4D framework.

Speaking at the event, Arsenio Balisacan, Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development of the Philippines, stated that while services exports present significant opportunities, governments need to focus on generating productivity growth and employment across the broader economy. Balisacan noted that the initiative's policy database, competitiveness dashboard, regulatory practice resources, and statistical support provide tools to help guide reform implementation.

WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill emphasized that trade strategies are shifting from a traditional focus on goods to recognizing services as central drivers of employment, economic growth, and trade. Hill added that the initiative is intended to assist developing nations in navigating policy challenges.

ADB Vice-President for Sectors and Themes Wempi Saputra highlighted that Asia's transition toward services industries requires long-term support and regional cooperation to align rules and share reform costs.

Gonzalo Varela, Practice Manager for Trade Policy and Facilitation at the World Bank Group, noted that key sectors such as finance, telecommunications, transport, and professional services serve as essential inputs across the economy, and expanding trade in these areas can boost downstream productivity.

## Links

- [Source](https://wto.org/english/news_e/news26_e/ts4d_28sep26_499_e.htm)