The Coalition of Service Industries (CSI) also cooperated with British Invisibles in the formation of the Global Services Network (GSN). GSN follows the Liberalisation of Trade in Services (LOTIS) model of incorporating government officials. It is basically an online forum of business leaders, government officials and think tank personnel from around the world who are ‘committed to increased trade and investment in services’. It was set up in 1998 at an invitation only conference in the UK with the aim of ‘building support for liberalization of world services trade in the next big round for services negotiations to begin in 2000.’
GSN is administered by CSI and has the same goals. To achieve these goals, GSN recognized the need to enlist regulators to their cause; increase political and public support through selling the benefits of trade liberalization; and enhance access and involvement of the private sector in multilateral trade negotiations. It’s inaugural organizing committee included representatives of the CSI and service industry coalitions from Britain, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland and Argentina, as well as the Association of British Insurers, the Canadian Bankers Association, the French Federation of Insurance Companies and the London Investment Bankers Association.