Baghdad: The Ministry of Trade discussed with the International Trade Center developments regarding Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Trade issued a statement detailing that the Department of Foreign Economic Relations held a meeting with representatives from the International Trade Center (ITC). The meeting focused on the latest developments in Iraq's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and explored ways to enhance technical cooperation to support this process.
Director General of the Department, Riyadh Fakher Al-Hashemi, highlighted that the meeting addressed opportunities for joint cooperation in reviewing technical files related to accession. These files were prepared by the department's accession team in collaboration with the technical committees formed by the relevant national committee.
The statement emphasized the critical importance of the technical support provided by the ITC, particularly at this stage of the accession process. This support plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency of national teams and enhancing institutional readiness.
The meeting also covered efforts to update the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) document, in coordination with relevant sectoral bodies. This update aligns with the government's focus on integrating sustainability and environmental concepts into economic and trade policies.
Al-Hashemi pointed out that the meeting is part of the department's continuous efforts to develop Iraq's trade policy and improve technical and institutional capabilities. These efforts align with the requirements of WTO accession and aim to bolster Iraq's presence in the multilateral trading system.
Representatives from the International Trade Center acknowledged the progress made in this area and praised the effective coordination with the Department of Foreign Economic Relations. They affirmed their commitment to continue providing necessary technical support to expedite the completion of accession requirements.