for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices in the context of liberalized trade in goods and services. It was observed, however, that there was no direct link between the Uruguay Round negotiations and negotiations on the code of conduct on transnational corporations. 90. Most delegations stressed the importance of the Centre's research in the area of foreign direct investment and transnational corporations in services. In particular, they emphasized the need for policy-oriented studies on the impact and implications for countries, particularly developing ones, of the liberalization of foreign direct investment and trade in services, focusing especially on industries of interest to host countries. In that context they underlined the need for close co-ordination of the Centre's work with that of other concerned bodies, such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and UNCTAD. They also supported the Centre's technical assistance efforts in the area of services, with particular focus on policies and measures relating to foreign direct investment and transnational corporations in services. 91. In his concluding remarks, the Acting Assistant Director said that the discussion had reaffirmed the conceptual difficulties of distinguishing between trade and foreign direct investment in services. He assured the Commission that close co-ordination existed between the Centre and other agencies, particularly UNCTAD and GATT, as regarded work in the area of services, and that their respective focuses were clear, with the Centre's work concentrated on foreign direct investment in services and that of the others on trade. Action taken by the Commission 92. The Commission took note of the report of the Secretary-General on transnational corporations and the Uruguay Round (E/C.10/1990/12). It requested the Secretary-General to conduct further in-depth research and technical co-operation in the area of services, taking into account the deliberations of the Commission, and to submit a report thereon to the Commission at its seventeenth session. -34-Chapter VIII 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the World Centre for International Trade in Services and its research on foreign direct investment and transnational corporations in the context of liberalized trade in goods and services. The Centre's work is focused on policy-oriented studies on the impact and implications of liberalization on countries, particularly developing ones. The Commission's request for further research and technical cooperation in the area of services also suggests that the topic is closely related to international trade and economic development.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development