- Nation to host WTO accession meeting
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has aspired to join World Trade Organization(WTO) utilizing membership negotiation that will be held here, Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) said.
The countryis going to host the 5th round WTO membership accession meeting that will take place in Addis Ababa this May.
Speaking to local media, MoTRI Minister Gebremeskel Chala said that the nation is currently preparing and incorporating fundamental documents among other undertakings to be a member of the organization that has long been interrupted for the last twenty years due to various reasons.
The Minister, who is also Chief negotiator of WTO, further stated that the Ethiopian delegation paid a visit and held a fruitful discussion with the Organization’s Director-General in Geneva, Switzerland in July, 2023.
The delegation had reached agreement to finalize the WTO membership negotiation process and join the organization within three years, he recalled.
Citing the country’s readiness to address the inquiries in a way facilitated by organization in the near future, Gebremeskel said that Ethiopia is addressing 180 queries and 9 documents from member countries through a dedicated WTO platform.
Accordingly, the Ministry is finalizing essential documents covering goods, services, import licensing, and many more aspects, he noted.
He said: “Ethiopia has made the necessary preparations to navigate these negotiations in a way aligning with its economic development aspirations and commercial competitiveness.”
Since the country is more known for agricultural productivity, it was indicated that joining WTO would be a significant milestone to promote its export schemes and economic endeavors.
Moreover, the Minister remarked that its unwavering effort to be a member of the organization is a profound to become vibrant global trade ally.
It is to be recalled that Ethiopia has formally applied for WTO accession in 2003.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 9 APRIL 2024
