DUSHANBE, December 11, 2012, Asia-Plus — The U.S. government released a statement during the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council December 10th meeting on Tajikistan’s accession to the WTO.
“The United States has supported Tajikistan’s bid for WTO Membership from its outset in 2001, in the bilateral and multilateral negotiations for the terms of its accession that followed and through comprehensive technical assistance to its team in Dushanbe.
“Tajikistan’s efforts to open its market and to implement WTO provisions have been extraordinary, reflecting the basic decision made earlier to use the WTO accession process as a catalyst for economic reform, and providing an excellent example of the link between WTO accessions and domestic reforms described in the Annual Accessions report.
“Through its accession process, Tajikistan has repealed trade barriers and enacted over 100 separate pieces of legislation and regulation to apply WTO Agreements directly in its legal framework. These reforms, extending from corporate registration and transparency to taxation, standards and technical regulations, customs measures, intellectual property protection, and import licensing, will transform Tajikistan’s economy and lay a permanent basis for economic growth and development.
“Tajikistan hard work and focused effort to accelerate its accession process has paid off, and we wholeheartedly support the General Council’s approval of this application for WTO Membership.
“The WTO’s announcement demonstrates Tajikistan’s commitment to promoting international trade and to its own domestic economic reforms,” said Ambassador Elliott. “I commend President Rahmon, Minister Rahimzoda, and their team for their tireless work to complete this negotiation process,” the Ambassador added.
“The WTO is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.”
