The ACP-EEC Convention: Resolution on services The Joint Assembly of the Convention concluded between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Economic Community (ACP-EEC) met from 24 to 27 September 1991 in Amsterdam. Among other business, the Assembly adopted a Resolution on "services: a new basis for d... The Joint Assembly of the Convention concluded between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Economic Community (ACP-EEC) met from 24 to 27 September 1991 in Amsterdam. Among other business, the Assembly adopted a Resolution on "services: a new basis for development." The Resolution notes the dynamism of this sector, which attracts most foreign investment, accounts for most jobs in the developed countries, and has effect on the traditional sectors (agriculture/industry) in terms of productivity and value added. It also notes that, for the first time, services are included in the multilateral GATT negotiations (GATT Uruguay Round talks). However, the service sector operates to an increasing extent with high technology equipment. Whereas the developed countries with market economies control 80% of services in both imports and exports, the ACP States' share in this market amounts to only 3%, as opposed to 17% for all developing countries in 1988. Considering these and other points, the ACP-EEC Joint Assembly calls for an extensive range of measures to be undertaken including several in the area of technical cooperation, provision of access to technology, exchanges, joint programmes between universities and research centres, development of regional services (teledetection, telecommunications, maritime and air transport, etc.) plus the development of funding mechanisms to these ends. The Joint Assembly also calls on the Community to implement a joint programme of research with the ACP States and action on development of the electronics industry.
