Work on Uzbekistan's membership in the World Trade Organization(WTO) continues. However, the estimated period of membership of the organization is unknown, Amirbek Muhammedov, the deputy head of the department of the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade (MIIT) reports at the Agency of Information and Mass Communication press conference.
"Daryo" reporter informed that Amirbek Muhammedov said in the conversation that WTO membership is a complicated process that takes a long time.
"The process is not being slowed down. This is a very long and difficult issue in itself. Acceptance to WTO is based on the consensus of all member countries. This means that for Uzbekistan to join the organization, 164 countries must agree. At least 47 of these countries have joined the working group on Uzbekistan's accession decision. The working group is unstable, meaning that at any time one country leaves the group, another can join. That's why this process will take a long time," he said.
Muhammedov cited neighboring countries as examples, saying that Kazakhstan became a member of the WTO in 13 years, and Russia in 10 years.
"Therefore, it is impossible to set a definite deadline in this matter. Because negotiations are carried out based on mutual agreements of both parties. This has something to do with foreign countries," said the official of the ministry.
During the conference, officials noted that Uzbekistan's efforts to become a member of the WTO began in 1994, but the process was stopped in 2005. Now the process has been restored.
"In 2020, we held a meeting with the first working group of the new process. We are organizing one working group meeting every year to speed things up. Currently, there is a discussion about our economic system. We are now moving to the process of making commitments and making changes to certain aspects," added Amirbek Muhammedov.
First deputy chairman of the Senate, Sadiq Safoev, said in an interview with "Daryo" that the entry into the WTO will open new opportunities for Uzbekistan.
"Certainly, along with opening up opportunities, it can also create some problems for a particular sector or industry. However, overall, few countries are left to join this organization. And the fact that we are not there means that, for now, we think in favor of our economic and national interests. Entry to the WTO is one of the important issues facing us," said Safoev.
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