Baghdad – WAA
Minister of Trade Athir Dawood Al-Ghariri confirmed today, Friday, that negotiations for Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization are proceeding at a rapid pace, while pointing out that all countries are keen on Iraq’s return as a global economic player.
Al-Ghariri told the (INA): “The resumption of negotiations for Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization is a qualitative event and a confirmation of what the government promised through its program to reform the economic situation, considering the private sector an essential part and the backbone of the Iraqi economy.”
He expressed his “aspiration for the fourth round of negotiations to be held during the first quarter of next year,” stressing that “this acceleration means that the negotiations are proceeding very quickly towards Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, considering Iraq an important economic bloc and all countries keen for Iraq to return as an economic player in a multilateral system.”
For his part, the Saudi Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, Saqr Abdullah Al-Muqbil, told the (INA): “There is a positive view that we will find Iraq joining the multilateral trade system as it is one of the largest economies outside this organization.”
Al-Muqbil stressed that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has priority in fulfilling Iraq’s desire to join the organization.”
In turn, the official responsible for Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization said: “The member states were happy with the Iraqi delegation, and we hope that the Iraqi delegation has completed this long journey.”
She added: “We seek to see Iraq as a member of the World Trade Organization.”
Last Monday, the Minister of Trade and head of the Iraqi team concerned with joining the World Trade Organization, Athir Dawood Al-Ghariri, announced the resumption of negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, after a hiatus that lasted more than 16 years.