Industry minister chairs WTO national committee meeting

Manama, Nov. 15 (BNA): Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of the National Committee of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Zayed R. Alzayani has headed the committee's 5th meeting, in the presence of the members who represent government and related authorities. The meeting discussed a number of topics listed on the agenda, including the ratification of "Bali Package" that aims to streamline trade. "Bali Package" was launched at WTO Ninth Ministerial Conference, held in Bali, Indonesia, on December 2013. The meeting also reviewed BAHRAIN-US Free Trade agreement (FTA) and both the countries obligations towards WTO and a summary on the latest developments of the joint project between the industry, commerce and tourism ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bahrain. A number of topics pertaining to the coordination on the GCC and Arab levels within WTO framework were discussed as well as preparation for WTO 10th Ministerial Conference to be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 to 18 December 2015.