Iraq plans to join World Trade Organization

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Ministry of Trade revealed on Thursday that the government is planning to complete the requirements for Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), indicating that financial contributions to the WTO have been settled.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Trade illustrated that work is underway to complete the requirements for joining the WTO, especially in terms of goods, services, the agricultural issue, and the modernization of the customs system.

Coordination has been ongoing with the General Authority of Customs to complete the modernization of the customs system and finalize the Tariff Law to be able to join the WTO, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

Coordination is also underway with the Iraqi private sector and the Kurdistan region of Iraq to unify the visions related to the requirements for Iraq’s accession to the WTO.

The Iraqi Ministry of Trade mentioned last January that the committee concerned with Iraq’s accession to the WTO, headed by the Minister of Trade and consisting of representatives of ministries, agencies, and the private sector, is working to have the requirements for Iraq’s accession to the organization completed.

The ministry added that its plan includes holding official meetings at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva and coordinating with the member states to mobilize support and speed up accession procedures to make Iraq an active member and partner in economic decisions and trade policies that would enhance Iraq’s integration into the global economy.