DUSHANBE, December 4, 2008, Asia-Plus — The current state of negotiations on the Central Asian states’ accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be discussed at a regional conference formally titled “Development of Trade in Central Asia: Problems and Prospects” that is opening in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today.
According to the USAID Dushanbe Office, officials from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will report on the current state of negotiations of their accession to WTO.
Tajikistan is represented by Deputy Economic Development and trade Minister, Zuhuriddin Kenjayev.
Representatives of Bulgaria and China will make statements as representatives of the WTO member nations.
The problems that are of utmost importance for development of regional and international trade as well as reform of technical regulation, customs procedures (introduction of single window), and protection of rights of intellectual property are among major topics of the conference, which is held by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade under support of the USAID Regional Trade Liberalization and Customs (RTLC) Project in Central Asia on occasion of the 10th anniversary of Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
It is to be noted that issues related to Tajikistan’s accession to WTO were discussed at a meeting of President Emomali Rahmon with Mr. Pascal Lami, Director General of the World Trade Organization, in Doha, Qatar on November 29 on sidelines of the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterey Consensus. During the meeting, it was noted that the Working Party on the accession of Tajikistan to WTO had already held three meetings. The report on the third meeting will be prepared soon and preparations for the fourth meeting will start.
USAID helps to reduce regulatory and administrative constraints for businesses in Tajikistan by facilitating dialogue between the government and the private sector, supports small and medium enterprises, business associations, accounting training, commercial law reform, business education, microfinance, and the agricultural sector. In support of regional trade, USAID facilitates Tajikistan’s accession to the WTO, focusing on reduction of trade barriers and expanded access to market information.
