Uzbekistan’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) are making progress, with the ultimate goal of improving the well-being of the country’s people and ensuring a competitive and efficient economy. Saida Mirziyoyeva, presidents assistance, recently highlighted the achievements made in 2024 in advancing Uzbekistan’s WTO membership, emphasizing the broader vision behind these reforms.
In 2024, Uzbekistan took a major step toward full WTO membership, largely due to the decisive economic reforms initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Key milestones in this process include two crucial meetings of the WTO Working Group in 2023, which laid the foundation for drafting the main membership document.
Bilateral negotiations with 15 countries, including the United States, China, and Japan, were successfully completed, resulting in 23 signed agreements. Additionally, the adoption of 20 important laws aimed at enhancing transparency in business and competition played a significant role in this progress.
Mirziyoyeva stressed that Uzbekistan would continue to pursue this momentum into 2025, with the goal of becoming a full WTO member in the near future. She explained that the ultimate objective of these efforts is to foster economic growth, create decent jobs, and ensure more efficient economic management, thereby improving the lives of Uzbekistan’s citizens.
Uzbekistan’s WTO Journey
The path to WTO membership for Uzbekistan began in 1998 when the Working Group on Uzbekistan’s accession was first established. After several years of limited activity, the process officially resumed in July 2020, and since then, key meetings have been held, including in June 2022, March 2023, and November 2023.
In September 2023, President Mirziyoyev met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where the WTO head praised Uzbekistan's progress and expressed confidence in the country's near-term accession.
The Uzbek government has already harmonized five of its laws with WTO agreements in early 2024, paving the way for further alignment with international trade standards.
Why WTO Membership Matters for Uzbekistan
According to Azizbek Urunov, an expert interviewed by Daryo, joining the WTO offers several key benefits for Uzbekistan. First, it will create equal conditions for domestic enterprises, fostering a competitive business environment that drives economic growth. Competition is seen as a crucial element for developing a thriving economy, as evidenced by the experiences of rapidly growing nations.
Second, WTO membership will attract high-quality investments, essential for sustainable economic development. Moreover, by aligning with WTO trade practices, Uzbekistan will be able to speak the same language as other member countries in global trade, facilitating access to international markets. This will open up opportunities for Uzbek businesses to enter the global production chain, enhancing the country’s integration into regional and global value networks.
Uzbekistan aims to become a full WTO member by 2026, a goal that President Mirziyoyev has described as a strategic and forward-thinking choice for the country’s long-term economic prosperity.
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