By Diyora Toshpulatova
(Graduate in Internet Journalism, University of Journalism and Mass Communication of Uzbekistan)
Uzbekistan taking reliable steps towards joining the World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a prestigious international organization charged with regulating trade between states.
The number of WTO member countries is 166, and 95% of the world’s trade corresponds to their contribution.
World Trade Organization is an organization aimed at ensuring the priority of the principle of “non-discrimination” in the field of international trade of goods, services and intellectual property. Under this principle, it is ensured that discrimination is not allowed by member states among their trade partners, as well as foreign and domestic producers, service providers.
As a result, each member state of the WTO, as an equal subject of international trade, conducts foreign economic and trade relations based on the same opportunities as other members.
Established by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific since 2009, the forum is the region’s leading platform for advanced trade facilitation experience and knowledge sharing.
Therefore, the International Convention in Tashkent City in April 2024 was attended by more than 250 foreign guests from more than 30 countries, including the director general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
It was noted that the wide introduction of innovative technologies and digitization in the accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization is increasing in production volume and international trade volume.
However, the sustainable supply of the regions with food and agricultural products remains relevant to this day.
There are two meetings of the Working Group on overcoming these problems, active negotiations are currently underway with member countries, the discussion of the conditions for agricultural support has begun, and work to coordinate national legislation with the norms and rules of the organization continues to be challenged.
In this regard, it is important to simplify trade procedures, develop new business mechanisms through international cooperation, digitization, electronic data exchange in the field of trade, transport and logistics.
Among the most effective measures, the organization of modern trade and logistics centers, simplified customs corridors, special economic zones in the border areas is noted.
It is noted that it is important for all countries to ensure equal use of modern technologies, to take the most effective measures to simplify procedures for trade and transportation of goods, to digitize the processes that regulate the movement of goods.
It also remains in my love to increase the transport potential of Central Asia, to promote projects for the construction of new transport corridors using intermediate tariffs to the markets of the Asia-Pacific region, South Asia and the Middle East and the European Union.
Uzbekistan continues to implement a number of reforms to become a full member of the entire World Trade Organization, negotiations are underway to increase the current state and volume of cooperation with partner countries and international organizations.
In addition, special attention is paid to the fact that a working group is in operation on the issues of facilitating and digitizing trade between countries, including cross-border Paperless Trade and transport, and greening the trade process.
Special attention is paid to increasing the capacity of Uzbek experts on issues of regulation of international trade. In this sense, with the support of the WTO, it is planned to establish a Competence Center for trade policy in Uzbekistan.
The Coordination of national legislation in kegusi with the requirements of WTO agreements will significantly contribute to the effectiveness of bilateral and multilateral negotiations of the Republic of Uzbekistan with WTO member states and will ensure that the process of our country’s accession to the WTO will become more intensive.
Enock Akonnor is a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, serving as CEO and Managing Editor for www.leakyghana.com. His gravitas, which is mirrored by many years of proven and enviable experience in the field of journalism has positioned him among the most sort after media practitioners in Ghana.
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Email: enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
