India, Pakistan, three others call for WTO plan to help clinch professional

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Mutual recognition agreements are more common between advanced economies; developing countries should be provided assistance to bridge the gap in regulatory systems, per a submission

By Amiti Sen

Updated - November 02, 2026 at 05:57 PM. | New Delhi, November 1

MRAs promote regulatory cooperation and trust, helping translate market access commitments into actual trade opportunities. | Photo Credit: DENIS BALIBOUSE

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Kyrgyz Republic have jointly called for greater cross-border recognition of professional qualifications at the WTO, arguing that developing economies’ limited participation in mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) is preventing their professionals and services exporters from fully benefiting from international trade.

In a recent submission to the WTO Committee on Trade and Development (CTD), the five countries sought targeted technical assistance and capacity building to help developing countries bridge gaps in their regulatory systems, professional accreditation and licensing frameworks. This, they noted, would improve their ability to negotiate and implement MRAs. They demanded that the issue be incorporated into the WTO’s Technical Assistance and Training Plan, with support tailored to the requirements and export potential of developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs).

An MRA is an understanding between two or more countries to recognise one another’s professional education, qualifications, work experience and licences, allowing qualified professionals to offer services in partner markets without going through the entire qualification and licensing process afresh. MRAs also promote regulatory cooperation and trust, helping translate market access commitments into actual trade opportunities.

“India has had limited success with MRAs so far. Implementation becomes difficult, especially with developed countries,” a source told businessline.

The submission highlighted that MRAs for professional qualifications have historically been easier to establish and more common between advanced economies than between advanced and developing economies.

Key reason

“The key reason for this is greater regulatory compatibility amongst the advanced economies. Institutional and human capacity constraints, differences in domestic qualification, licensing and accreditation systems, weak coordination among relevant authorities and professional bodies, and limited access to information and experience have been identified as key constraining factors impacting the ability of developing members and LDCs to engage in and benefit from recognition arrangements,” it added.

The proponents suggested that the WTO Secretariat, in consultation with developing countries and LDCs, identify their specific technical assistance requirements and assess where support could be provided. The assistance should be demand-driven and development-orientated, with priority for sectors where countries have export potential but face significant barriers because their professional qualifications are not recognised.

Focus areas

Proposed areas of support include mapping domestic systems for professional education, qualifications, licensing and accreditation; developing expertise to assess the equivalence or comparability of qualifications; and strengthening coordination among government agencies and professional and accreditation bodies. The proposal also envisages practical training in negotiating, implementing and administering recognition arrangements, support for participation in international and regional standard-setting discussions, and the development of guidance material and peer-learning opportunities.

“The CTD could, on the basis of the needs identified, consider how relevant activities could be reflected in the Technical Assistance and Training Plan and review their implementation, expected outcomes and resource implications as part of its consideration of WTO technical assistance,” the submission proposed.

Published on November 2, 2026

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