Uzbekistan is intensifying its efforts to secure membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) by 2026, as outlined by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
In recent years, 12,000 standards have been approved, with an additional 1,040 international standards adopted since the start of this year. To enhance product safety and quality, 29 technical regulations have been developed and consistently shared with industrial enterprises and entrepreneurs. Support is also provided to help businesses obtain necessary certifications.
At an October 10 meeting, Mirziyoyev acknowledged improvements in the harmonization of standards but emphasized the need for accelerated reforms.
"Much work remains ahead of us," the president stated, stressing that product development and quality control must meet international standards if Uzbekistan is to achieve its WTO ambitions.
Of the 269 laboratories in the country, only 105 are currently compliant with international standards. Mirziyoyev set a goal for all facilities to meet WTO requirements by the end of 2025. In addition, he called for an overhaul of the personnel training system to bolster these efforts.
WTO membership is a critical component of Mirziyoyev's broader economic strategy, which aims to transform Uzbekistan from a supplier of raw materials into a competitive exporter of durable goods, clothing, and food products.
Although Uzbekistan's application process began in 1994 with the establishment of a WTO "working party" to evaluate the country’s qualifications, progress was stagnant for years. However, following Mirziyoyev's recent decree in June to promote trade reforms, the membership process has regained momentum.
Each WTO membership application is negotiated on an individual basis, requiring aspiring member states to adopt liberal trade frameworks based on transparent and fair policies. The Uzbek government now faces the task of implementing these reforms to meet WTO standards and achieve its goal of becoming a member by 2026.
Earlier, Uzbekistan has successfully concluded bilateral market access negotiations with 18 countries, including recent deals with Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Argentina. Its path to WTO membership, which began in 1994, has been one of the longest in the organization's history. After years of stagnation, the process has gained new momentum, with Uzbekistan aiming to secure full membership by 2026.
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