Uzbekistan has finalized negotiations with Pakistan on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The development was confirmed by Ali Sarfraz Hussain, Pakistan's permanent representative to the WTO.
The two countries formalized the agreement by signing a protocol on December 6, with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev attending the event.
"The protocol brings brotherly country closer to World Trade Organization WTO membership," Hussain shared on LinkedIn.
Uzbekistan has secured similar agreements in recent months with the United States, China, the Philippines, and El Salvador. Israel, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and other nations have also expressed their backing for Uzbekistan's WTO bid.
At the Days of the European Economy in Uzbekistan forum on November 6, Uzbekistan’s special representative on WTO affairs highlighted ongoing negotiations with Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and others.
Additionally, the country plans to implement non-tariff trade regulation measures to align with WTO standards.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has prioritized WTO membership as a key part of Uzbekistan's reform agenda. In April 2023, he directed the government to expedite accession efforts, emphasizing the potential boost to exports, particularly finished goods.
Steps taken to facilitate Uzbekistan's WTO membership include establishing the position of a special representative on WTO matters, creating dedicated liaison departments in 20 government institutions to enhance coordination, and implementing a ban on regulatory acts that do not align with WTO standards.
During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2023, Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan's commitment to early WTO membership. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director General, pledged to fast-track the working group’s next meeting.
Uzbekistan aims to finalize its accession before the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon in 2026.
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