TRADE MINISTER: YEMEN TO FINALIZE ALL REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN WTO

SANA'A, March 17 (Saba)- Industry and Trade Minister Yahya al-Mutawakel confirmed on Wednesday seriousness of Yemen to finalize all requirements to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a press conference held in the ministry for the working group of Yemen's accession to the WTO, al-Mutawakel said that Yemen achieved progress in the negotiations to join the international organization, adding that the international support for the Yemeni accession is a gold chance.

He said that the accession would be within efforts of continuing reforms exerted by the government.
The minister who is also head of Yemeni side in negotiations with WTO members, said the side signed agreements with China, European Union, Australia, Canada, adding that the side agreed with the US side to hold bilateral meeting next month in Washington to finalize negotiations between the two sides.

For his part, the head of the group highlighted positive commitment of Yemen to finalize process of the accession, saying that there is a chance to do that soon.

The head of the accession section at the organization pointed out to the concord between the government and private sector on going ahead with the process of accession.

AH