Specjalizacja eksportowa krajów UE w międzynarodowym handlu usługami

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyse the index of export specialization of 19 EU member states in international trade in services. The data is taken from balance of payments statistics and cover the years 2000–2004. The study examines the following main IMF categories of services trade: transportation; travel; communication services; construction services; insurance services; financial services; computer and information services; royalties and licence fees; other business services; personal, cultural and recreational services. The inquiry led to the following conclusions: firstly, the EU Member States have different export specializations in trade in services. Secondly, most of them specialise in exporting a number of categories of services. Thirdly, the EU consisting of 19 Member States has best comparative advantages in transportation services, travel, communication and construction services. It features relatively good competitiveness in export of computer and information services and other business services. It is less competitive in insurance and financial services and personal, cultural and recreational services. Export of royalties and licence fees should be seen as its weaknesses. Finally, the Author argues that the present EU export specialization in services trade will be affected by results of WTO Doha round negotations.