WTO opens regional market access workshop in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade

The workshop, which runs until July 22, 2009, gathers 33 participants from 12 countries, which are Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Syria, the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Tunisia and the UAE.

It aims to train Arab officials on tariff negotiations, particularly those related to non-agricultural goods. Members of the WTO Secretariat who will supervise the first day of training include Mr. Roy Santana, Economics Affairs Officer; Mustapha Sekkate, Statistical Officer; and Mr. Stanislav Velev, Programmer Analyst.

H.E. Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Executive Director - Foreign Trade Affairs, UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade (MoFT), delivered an opening speech discussing the challenges faced by Arab countries in coping with economic globalisation and addressing the global financial crisis. He also emphasised the importance of fully understanding the nature of multilateral agreements and commended role of the WTO in maintaining commercial stability across the region and throughout the world.

"Valuable insights on market access principles as well as critical GATT and Doha Development Agenda issues will be discussed during the workshop. Our hosting of this important event reflects MoFT's greater role in helping the Arab region enhance its trade knowledge and capabilities. It also affirms the WTO's strong support for commercial activities within the Middle East,"

said Al Kait.

The first day of the workshop will have four sessions conducted by Mr. Santana plus a practical exercise and review overseen by Mr. Sekkate. The sessions cover basic principles of market access for non-agricultural products; the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade framework, main provision and key issues; bound duties; concession schedules and modification; tariff negotiations in the context of accessions; Non-Agricultural Market Access negotiations; and updates on the Doha Development Agenda mandate.

"Our transition into a new global economic order requires a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of market access. We also have to be aware of the status of vital agreements such as GATT and the Doha Development Round and its unique effects on regional trade. This event will be of great help in enhancing the Arab bloc's negotiating power and overall international commercial stature," added Mahmood Sharif Mahmood, Director of Foreign Trade Policies, MoFT.

The UAE has been an active member of the WTO since 1996. Last year, the WTO named the UAE as one of the top 30 nations in the world and the leading Arab economy in terms of global trade.