Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - In Tashkent, the negotiating group on Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO, led by its head, Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade B. Abidov, took part in two round tables with the business community and academia on accession of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The events, which were also attended by the heads of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, more than 100 representatives of the private sector of the republic, business communities and international organizations, were held within the framework of the official visit of the delegation of the WTO Secretariat headed by Deputy Director General S. Zhang on 26-31 October 2021 and with the support of the United Nations Development Program in Uzbekistan.

During the round table with the business community, the issues of accession to the WTO and its impact on the activities of the private sector, possible consequences for various sectors of the country and other aspects were discussed.

Deputy Director General of the WTO S. Zhang acquainted the participants with the experience of China in joining the WTO and the work done to mitigate the negative consequences of joining the Organization for the private sector of the PRC.

The second round table was attended by representatives of academic, research institutes and scientific circles. Practical issues related to increasing the efficiency of their participation in the process of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO were discussed.

Particular attention is paid to the important role in the process of accession to the WTO of research institutions that have the potential to prepare arguments for a negotiating position in a dialogue with the Organization’s member states, as well as in conducting research on possible consequences for economic sectors and leveling negative scenarios.

The need for training future personnel on the multilateral trading system and the WTO for the effective participation of the republic in the activities of the Organization after accession to it was noted.

During the events, presentations and speeches were made by the heads and representatives of the WTO Secretariat, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, national research institutes and higher educational institutions.

As a result of the round tables, the participants spoke in favor of actively continuing the dialogue between representatives of the public and private sectors, as well as further expanding the involvement of national research institutions in the process of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO.