ADDIS ABABA – The House of Peoples’ Representatives said that Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is expected to be completed in two years.
Trade Sub-committee Chairperson of the House’s Trade and Industry Affairs Standing Committee Zewdu Kebede told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia has done lots of jobs in fulfilling the requirement of WTO. “The accession is believed to come into fruition by the end of 2021.”
According to him, the Standing Committee held a discussion last week with the delegation of WTO on preconditions of Ethiopian accession to the organization.
He said that Deputy Director-General of WTO and head of the Delegation, Amb. Alan Wm. Wolff appreciated the recent moves of Ethiopia in reinstating its desire to join the organization.
And also, the current economic reform being undertaken by the government is part of the requirements which play an important role in the country’s
effort to enter the WTO. In this case, the privatization of government-owned companies, governments’ attention for the private sector, the principle of ease of doing business, and attraction of foreign direct investment are typical examples, Zewdu explained.
“WTO’s Deputy Director-General also appreciated the aforementioned activities. He said the accession will be finalized next year, 2021, if good startups continue at the same pace.”
Ethiopia’s admission to join WTO is still unfinished business. The Government of Ethiopia started the WTO accession process almost 16 years ago, he said.
The parliament, as the legislature of the nation, is eager to see Ethiopia joining the organization, he added.
The Ethiopian Herald February 28/2020
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
