The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjaev, delivered a comprehensive speech on November 17 in the 7th meeting of the working group on Uzbekistan’s WTO membership, shedding light on the country's ambitious pursuit of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Uzbekistan's transformative journey involves substantial changes, including strengthened inter-agency commissions, the appointment of a dedicated WTO representative, and the establishment of divisions across 20 ministries. Khodjaev presented a range of commitments, including revised legislation, trade tables, and a keenness to explore bilateral negotiations.
Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev highlighted the crucial legislative amendments enacted by Uzbekistan, focusing on state duty market regulators and addressing exclusive rights and conflicts of interest related to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). They presented 19 draft commitments and action plans, demonstrating their commitment progress, underscoring the country's dedication to implementing substantial changes.
Expressing gratitude, Khodjaev acknowledged the support received from Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the technical assistance provided by the WTO.
"I know that it's a very busy schedule, but despite that, we managed to do a lot of homework back home on legislations, on bilaterals, and we had institutional change." - Khodjaev remarked.
This acknowledgment emphasizes the collaborative effort between Uzbekistan and the WTO.
Director General's Perspective
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the WTO, commended Uzbekistan's progress during a meeting with President Mirziyoyev in New York. She emphasized ongoing talks with major players and noted,
"We want to continue to support them... What we need now is to continue to accelerate progress."
Okonjo-Iweala's statement underscores the commitment of the WTO to assist Uzbekistan in navigating the complexities of accession.
Alparslan Acarsoy, the Ambassador of Turkey Permanent Representative to the WTO, emphasized the close relations between Uzbekistan and Turkey.
"I'm very proud to say that we are the first country that signed the accession protocol with Uzbekistan,"
Acarsoy stated, highlighting the positive impact on bilateral trade and strategic cooperation. His comments reflect Turkey's support for Uzbekistan's WTO aspirations.
Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), highlighted extensive cooperation with Uzbekistan, particularly in trade facilitation and innovation. Molcean mentioned,
"We have been supporting these efforts within the organizations,"
emphasizing UNECE's commitment to assisting Uzbekistan in implementing WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
Earlier Daryo reported that Uzbekistan has successfully concluded talks with Saudi Arabia, becoming the second country to finalize an agreement regarding Uzbekistan's WTO membership. The protocol, symbolizing the completion of negotiations for market access concerning goods and services, was officially signed at the WTO headquarters in Geneva.
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