Trade in health services 1

The health care sector is among the most rapidly growing sectors in the world economy. It is estimated to generate US$ 3 trillion per year in countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development alone and is expected to rise to US$ 4 trillion by 2005 (1, 2). The globalization of health services is reflected in the growing cross-border delivery of health services, through movement of personnel and consumers (by electronic and other means), and in an increasing number of joint ventures and collaborative arrangements. Using the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) definitions, trade in health services occurs via four modes of supply.