India: Trade in Healthcare Services

During the last two decades international trade in healthcare services has expanded under the GATS. Increasingly it has acquired new dimensions with application of advanced information and communication technology, flow of foreign investment, cross-border mobility, rising income levels and demographics dynamics. India is one of the main participants in this process. Currently, India’s healthcare sector is growing at 20 per cent per annum. The government’s expenditure on healthcare is highly inadequate. It is also a low priority area. India is a participant in the GATS agreement. It has made binding commitments to minimize trade barriers. Trade liberalization is facilitated through four modes. Mode 1 represents cross border supply, mode 2 (consumption abroad), mode 3 (commercial presence) and mode 4 (presence of natural persons). On the whole, India enjoys distinct advantages in modes 2 and 4.The global healthcare market is highly competitive. There is a need for export strategy. Such a strategy should be based on “niches and market prospects.” The bilateral and regional trade agreements should be made use of to derive market access in health services abroad.