The 2024 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund included a discussion on Uzbekistan's path to accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev, Vice-President Bassani, and Ambassador Tai, focused on Uzbekistan's ongoing reforms and efforts towards global integration.
Uzbekistan's Working Party on Accession to the WTO was established in 1994. However, negotiations resumed only recently in 2020 after a 15-year hiatus. Since then, there has been significant progress both bilaterally and multilaterally. This progress is attributed to President Mirziyoyev's active political engagement in economic reforms aimed at integrating Uzbekistan with its region and the international community.
A pivotal development discussed was Presidential Decree 85 issued on June 3rd. The decree addressed several concerns of WTO Members including state trading enterprises, export restrictions, and subsidies. It has provided momentum for further economic reforms such as harmonizing excise duties and updating procedures related to technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary measures (SPS).
Uzbekistan has also increased bilateral engagements with WTO Members, signing several agreements this year with plans for more before year's end. The aim is to reduce outstanding bilateral negotiations with WTO Members by next year.
The WTO Secretariat noted that Uzbekistan is among the most active acceding governments currently. Economic reforms associated with accession are crucial for future growth. Recent research indicates that economies reforming during the WTO accession process grow faster than those that do not.
Ambassador Aitzhan from Kazakhstan and Mr Dang from Vietnam were acknowledged for their roles in supporting accessions. Kazakhstan has shared its experience at a training course on market access in Geneva.
The meeting concluded with thanks extended to partners like the United States, European Union, IMF, and World Bank for their support in advising Uzbekistan on its journey toward WTO accession.