RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/EST/6
21August 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-2444)
Original: English
ACCESSION OFESTONIA
Communication from Estonia
TheRevised Draft Schedule ofSpecific Commitments inTrade inServices submitted bythe
Ministry ofForeign Affairs oftheRepublic ofEstonia isreproduced hereunder.
_______________
REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Revised Draft Schedule ofSpecific CommitmentsWT/ACC/EST/6
Page 2REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS
Investments:
There are nolimitations onestablishment ofanew
business establishment and making foreign
investments into Estonian economy. However, there
are some fields ofactivity where the establishment
ofthe enterprise with foreign capital orthe
participation inthe established enterprise istaking
place onthe basis ofaforeign investment licence:
mining industry; power engineering, gas and water
supply; expansion and reconstruction ofrailways and
airtransport; administration ofwaterways, ports,
dams and other hydro-structures; telecommunication
(forwarding ofsound, images, news orother
information bycable, broadcasting, translation or
satellites, telephone, telegraph and
telecommunication) aswell ascare, expansion and
reconstruction ofthe communication network.
Commercial presence
From September 1995, subsidiary ofaforeign
business firm isnot considered asaseparate legal
person. This means that abusiness firm is
responsible for obligations originating from the
activities ofitssubsidiary. Atleast one ofthe
managers must reside inEstonia.
Business visitors
Every person, willing towork inEstonia, needs a
residential and work permit. The duration ofavisa is
90 days, but atemporary stay islimited to30 days
atatime.WT/ACC/EST/6
Page 3REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
IISECTOR-SPECIFICCOMMITMENTS
BUSINESS SERVICES
A.Professional Services
a)Legal Services
(CPC 861)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Commercial presence isrestricted tosole
proprietorships ortolaw firms with limited liability, in
which cases permission isneeded from the Bar
Association. According tothe Bar Statute
(Advokatuuri põhimäärus) only Estonian nationals are
allowed toestablish alawyer 's office. Toget
accepted into the Bar Association the following
requirements should bemet: (a)two years ’work
experience asanassistant toabarrister atlaw; (b)
passing ofarelevant examination; (c)work for three
years asasenior assistant.1)Unbound
2)Unbound
After that itispossible topass alawyer ’s exam
(excellent knowledge ofthe Estonian law and
excellent proficiency inthe Estonian language are
required).
Notaries Public are persons performing apublic
service; are appointed bythe Ministry ofJustice.3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I 4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
b)Accounting, Auditing/CKand
Bookkeeping services (CPC 862)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)None except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)None except asindicated inPart I
*Anauditor needs tohave anattestation certificate bytheAuditors Board.WT/ACC/EST/6
Page 4REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
c)Taxation services (CPC 863) 1)None
2)None
3)None
4)None except asindicated inPart I1)None
d)Architectural, Engineering and Other
Technical Services/CK/CK(CPC 867)1)None
2)None
3)None except atleast one responsible person
(project manager orconsultant) must beresident of
Estonia
4)None except asindicated inPart I1)None
e)Medical and Dental Services/CK/CK/CK(CPC
9312)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
B.Computer and Related Services
(CPC Division 84)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
C.Research and Development Services
(CPC Division 85)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
D.Rental/Leasing Services without
operator1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
E.Other Business Services
a)Advertising Services
(CPC 871)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)None except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)None except asindicated inPart I
**Architectural services canbeoffered only bylicenced architects.
***Formedical anddental services anattestation certificate issued bytheMinistry ofSocial Affairs isrequired.WT/ACC/EST/6
Page 5REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
b)Market Research and Opinion Polling
(CPC 864)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
c)Management Consulting Services (CPC
865)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
d)Services related tomanagement
consulting (CPC 866)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)None except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)None except asindicated inPart I
e)Photographic Services (CPC 876) 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
f)Printing, publishing (CPC 88442) 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
2.COMMUNICATION SERVICES
A.Courier Services
(CPC 7512)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
Telecommunication Services/CK/CK/CK/CK
a)Mobile telephone services (CPC 75213) 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
****InTelecommunications there exists aconcession agreement guaranteeing monopoly rights to“Eesti Telefon ”until year 2003.WT/ACC/EST/6
Page 6REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
b)Data and message transmission
services (CPC 7523)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
c)Radio and television cable services
(CPC 753)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
d)Telecommunications related services
(CPC 754)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
3.CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
(CPC Division 51+52) 1)None
2)None
3)None except atleast one responsible person
(project manager orconsultant) must beresident of
Estonia
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None except atleast one responsible person
(project manager orconsultant) must be
resident ofEstonia
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
4.DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
a)Commission agents 'and wholesale
trade services (CPC division 62)/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
b)Retail services
(CPC 631, 632)/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
*****Trading inprecious metals, weapons, explosives, ammunition, drugs, medicines, alcohol, tobacco, fuels andmotor vehicles needs anactivity licence.WT/ACC/EST/6
Page 7REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
5.EDUCATIONALSERVICES
Private Educational Services:
—Compulsory education services
(primary and secondary I)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
—Non compulsory secondary education
services1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
—Higher Education Services (CPC 923) 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
—Adult Education Services (CPC 924) 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
6.ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
A.Sewage and Refuse Disposal,
Sanitation and Other Environmental
Protection Services
(CPC Division 94)1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
7.FINANCIALSERVICES
A.Insurance and Insurance Related
Services
(i)Direct insurance 1)Unbound 1)Unbound
(A) life 2)Unbound 2)UnboundWT/ACC/EST/6
Page 8REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
(B) non-life 3)Establishment issubject toalicence granted by
the Ministry ofFinance. Establishment ofan
insurance company with foreign capital participation
asallowed only inthe form ofasubsidiary orasan
independent company.
Aforeign company seeking alicence inEstonia for its
subsidiary oritsindependent company, inaddition to
the requirements for local companies, must comply
with the following:
-certificate attesting tothe existence ofalicence
issued inthe country ofdomicile ofthe foreign
company;
-financial reports ofthe foreign company for atleast
3years;
-acertificate attesting tothe deposit ofthe stock
capital required for operations inthis field inEstonia.
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
The management body ofaninsurance joint-stock
company with foreign capital participation may
include citizens offoreign countries inproportion to
the foreign participation, but not more than half of
the members ofthe management group; the head of
the management ofasubsidiary oranin
dependent company must permanently reside in
Estonia.3)An insurance company with foreign capital
participation orasubsidiary oranindependent
company must keep allaccounts and render
reports inthe Estonian language; maintain all
records relating toinsurance operations in
Estonia; invest inEstonia allinsurance
technical reserves derived from insurance
contracts entered into force inEstonia; observe
allregulations applying toinsurance companies
inEstonia, keeping inmind special
requirements established intheir respect.
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart IWT/ACC/EST/6
Page 9REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
(ii)Reinsurance and retrocession 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Alocal insurance company whose financial
situation isnot adequate tocover the assumed
risks, isrequired toenter into reinsurance
contract with another insurance company
having areinsurance licence, orareinsurance
company.
The maximum exposure the company may
retain is10 per cent ofitsliquidity limit in
respect ofasingle insurance object. The sum
ofinsurance per one single insurance
occurrence may not exceed 20 per cent ofits
liquidity limit. (Estonian companies must apply
for services offoreign reinsurance companies.)
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
(iii) Insurance intermediation, such as
brokerage and agency1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
(iv) Services auxiliary toinsurance ,such
asconsultancy, actuarial, risk assessment
and claim settlement services/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
B.Banking and Other Financial Services
asdefined inthe "Annex onFinancial
Services"
(v)Acceptance ofdeposits and other
repayable funds from the public
(vi) Lending ofalltypes, including
consumer credit, mortgage credit,
factoring and financing ofcommercial
transaction1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Establishment ofany types ofbanks issubject to
alicence issued bythe Bank ofEstonia. Foreign
persons may become shareholders ofbanks or
acquire additional shares ofbanks uptoamaximum
of10 per cent ofshares; for alarger percentage a
prior approval ofthe Bank ofEstonia isrequired.
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
******Services such asconsultancy, actuarial service, riskassessment andclaim settlement andother auxiliary services byforeign companies –allgoes through theAssociation
ofInsurers ortheSupervisory Authority ofInsurance Business.WT/ACC/EST/6
Page 10REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
(vii) Financial leasing
(viii) Allpayment and money transmission
services, including credit, charge and
debit cards, travelers cheques and
bankers draftsUnbound inrelation toforeign participation inbanks
under privatization.
(ix) Guarantees and commitmentsUnder alicence from the Bank ofEstonia, banks,
subsidiaries and branches offoreign banks can be
permitted toprovide allbanking services.
(x)Trading for own account orfor
account ofcustomers, whether onan
exchange, inanover-the counter market
orotherwise, the following:Branches offoreign banks are independent legal
persons, registered inthe Register.
(A) money market instruments (including
cheques, bills, certificates ofdeposits);Unbound with respect toalltypes ofmortgage
banks, savings and loan institutions.
(B) foreign exchange Unbound with respect toestablishment ofprivate
pension funds (No compulsory pension funds).
(C) derivative products including, but not
limited to, futures and options;
(D) exchange rate and interest rate
instruments, including products such as
swaps, forward rate agreements;An Investment Fund isaninvestment company
established solely for the purpose ofgathering the
ownership certificates (vouchers) and the purchase
ofshares issued inaccordance with the regulations
onownership transformation. There are nolimits for
foreign nationals tothe acquisition ofshares or
voting rights ofInvestment Funds.
(E)transferable securities;
(F)other negotiable instruments and
financial assets, including bullionInvestments ofthe Investment Funds into securities
offoreign issuers are not limited.
(xi) Participation inissues ofallkind of
securities, including overwriting and
placement asagent (whether publicly or
privately) and provision ofservices related
tosuch issuesWT/ACC/EST/6
Page 11REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
(xiii) Asset management, such ascash or
portfolio management, allforms of
collective investment management,
pension fund management, custodial,
depository and trust servicesIssue ofsecurities ofaforeign issuer must be
registered atthe Securities Market Agency. For
carrying out relevant activities alicence from the
Securities Market Agency isneeded.
(xiv) Settlement and clearing services for
financial assets, including securities,
derivative products, and other negotiable
instruments;Brokerage Firms require alicence from the Securities
Market Agency. Tooperate under this name, the firm
must have atleast one person with certificate of
qualification. ABrokerage Firm must have either:
-alicence ofasecurities intermediary;
-alicence ofaholding company (minimum of1per
cent ofvolume ofthe fund, but not more than 500
000 EEK);
-alicence ofaninvestment fund.
(xv) Provision and transfer offinancial
information, and financial data processing
and related software bysuppliers ofother
financial services
(xvi) Advisory, intermediation and other
auxiliary financial services onallthe
activities listed insubparagraphs (v)
through (xv), including credit reference
and analysis, investment and portfolio
research and advice, advice onacquisition
and oncorporate restructuring and
strategy.There are nolimits for foreign persons tobecome
shareholders orpartners inaStock Broking
Company.
8.HEALTHSERVICES AND SOCIAL
SERVICES
(CPC Division 93) 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart IWT/ACC/EST/6
Page 12REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
9.TOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED
SERVICES/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK
A.Hotel and Restaurant Services
(CPC Division 64)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
B.Travel Agency and Tour Operator
Services (CPC 7471)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
10. RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND
SPORTING SERVICES
(CPC Division 96) 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
11. TRANSPORT SERVICES
A.Maritime Transport Services/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK/CK
a)Maintenance and Repair ofVessels 1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None, except navigation licence required
2)None, except navigation licence required
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I;
navigation licence issued oraccepted in
Estonia isrequired.
B.Air Transport Services
a)Maintenance and Repair ofAircraft 1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None, except aviation licence required
2)None, except aviation licence required
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
-Sales and Marketing 1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)Unbound
2)Unbound
3)Unbound
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
*******State licence oftourist business totravel agencies andtour operators isneeded.
********Foramarine vessel toberegistered intheEstonian Ferry Register, thefollowing requirements must bemet: theowner must beanEstonian citizen; orincase theowner
isalegal person, atleast 51percent oftheshares must belong toEstonian citizens, thecompany 'sheadquarters must besituated inEstonia andthecompany must operate under
theEstonian law.WT/ACC/EST/6
Page 13REPUBLIC OFESTONIA
Modes ofsupply: 1)Cross-border supply 2)Consumption abroad 3)Commercial presence 4)Presence ofnatural persons
Sector orsubsector Limitations onmarket access Limitations onnational treatment Additional commitments
C.Rail Transport Services
a)Maintenance and Repair ofRail
Transport Equipment1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I
D.Road Transport Services
a)Maintenance and Repair ofRoad
Transport Equipment (CPC 6112)1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I1)None
2)None
3)None
4)Unbound except asindicated inPart I