Germany supports the accession of Yemen to the WTO

German ambassador to Sana’a Michael Klor-Berchtold confirms his country’s support for Yemen, providing Yemen with much needed affirmation to enable it to join the Organization.

Joining WTO will boost more than Yemen’s economy

The Germany Embassy in Sana’a announced the German nation’s support for Yemen’s ascension into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

German ambassador to Sana’a Michael Klor-Berchtold confirmed his country’s support for Yemen, providing Yemen with much needed affirmation to enable it to join the Organization.

These remarks were uttered during a ceremony organized by the Germany Embassy in Sana’a.

“The Government of Germany is satisfied with the accession of Yemen into the WTO. Hopefully this will take place soon, which will be a positive reflection upon Yemen,” he said.

He made clear that the accession of Yemen will play a key role in the application of the national reform agenda and will encourage the economic growth as well as investment and many other economic fields. Minister of Industry and Trade Yahya al-Mutawakel asserted on Tuesday that the process of Yemen’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been remarkably smooth since the beginning of 2010.

Al-Mutawakel pointed out that the government of Yemen must draw an executive plan for the coming steps required for WTO membership.  The head of the team for Yemen’s accession into the World Trade Organization, Hartmut Röben, said the concern of the Working Group and the Secretariat of the Organization is to facilitate and accelerate the accession of Yemen to the WTO, benefiting from the advantages granted to least developing countries. The organization will show flexibility in Yemen’s accession, which it is expected to achieve before the end of the year.

Röben praised the great efforts made by Yemen in the accession process towards the fulfillment of World Trade Organization, and the integration of the Yemeni economy in its regional and global levels.

Röben pointed out that substantial interaction by national partners is an important factor in the context of the required consensus for the completion of accession to the WTO. He also expressed his recognition that the achievement of joining, in the light of the great support from the international community, is an important step in the face of various difficulties and challenges facing the country.

On March 15, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi affirmed that Yemen has achieved the required infrastructure, in accordance with legislations of the World Trade Organization (WTO), in preparation for its accession into the Organization.

He also affirmed the importance of granting Yemen special merits, as it is one of the least developing countries, noting that a set of reforms adapted to the WTO legislations had been referred to Parliament for ratification.

The minister assumes that such steps will contribute to the reinforcement and improvement of the investment environment in Yemen, while continuing to promote a strong Yemeni bid to join the WTO. On March 15, a meeting of the National Committee for negotiation with the WTO was held. The meeting was attended by the head of the working team on Yemen accession to the WTO and Head of the Joining Department at the WTO. Minister of Industry and Trade Yahya al-Mutawakel affirmed that Yemen has progressed to the advanced stage of requirements as to receive serious examination as a member of the WTO.  He confirmed Yemen’s desire to benefit from the privileges and facilities granted by the organization for the least developed countries.

Meanwhile, al-Mutawakel stressed the importance of availing, during this stage, on the clear international support to accelerate Yemen’s accession to the WTO, especially as the negotiations gaps have become limited.

The head of the working team on Yemen’s accession to the WTO reiterated his excitement for Yemen to join the WTO in the near future.

In this regard, he pointed to the many WTO member countries that look forward to Yemen’s ascension to the organization, which was clearly evident at the 7th meeting of the working team on Yemen accession to the WTO, held last January in Geneva.

He considered Yemen’s accession an important indication of the compatibility of its legislations with those of the 153 WTO member countries, a matter which would contribute to attracting investments and enhancing confidence of investors in the Yemeni trade system.

The National Committee members presented a number of inquiries and observations on the accession process. Issues such as the technical assistance provided to Yemen as one of the least developed countries, in addition to the transitional period, which Yemen will receive after the accession, were discussed at length. They discussed issues related to the accession of Yemen into the international organization based on January meeting as well as the steps taken to finalize the demands of the accession in the coming period. The group highlighted marked progress and achievement by the Yemeni side of the bilateral negotiations with members of the organization. They affirmed the importance of continuing such progress, especially as the international community has pledged their support for Yemen as it faces current developmental challenges.

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