Iran Keen on WTO Accession
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian government is determined to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), a trade official said.
Valiollah Afkhami-Raad, head of Trade Development Organization of Iran (TDOI), said once the political obstacles are removed, the process for entering the global organization will begin.
He said special workgroups have been set up for the implementation of the process, adding that all the relevant organizations and institutions should be prepared for when the country becomes a WTO member.
According to Afkhami-Raad, generating a competitive atmosphere in the country’s industries and bolstering the private sector are necessary steps on this path.
“In order (for Iran) to join the WTO, the country’s industries should adjust themselves to the new conditions and reduce their vulnerabilities,” he stated.
The TDOI official went on to say that the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade has adopted a result-oriented approach and is pursuing feasible operational objectives for the country’s accession to the WTO.
Iran is among several large countries that remain outside the WTO due to US opposition to Tehran’s membership. Nearly a decade after the Islamic Republic first proposed joining the organization, the global trade body agreed to allow Iran to start membership talks in May 2005.
WTO rules require candidates to negotiate with a working group which represent the trade body. WTO entry negotiations may take years to complete.
