News and Analysis • Volume 12 • Number 23 • 25th June 2008

Cape Verde to Become 153rd Member of the WTO Next Month


Cape Verde will formally join the World Trade Organisation on 23 July, becoming the 153rd Member of the global trade body.

According to WTO guidelines, the North Atlantic archipelago’s membership will take effect 30 days after the submission of its ratified membership documents. Cape Verde presented those documents on Monday.

The commitments outlined in Cape Verde’s membership package include reforms to the country’s trade regime and market access schedules. Specifically, Cape Verde has committed to an average tariff binding of over 19 percent for agricultural products and 15 percent for industrial goods. The country has also made specific commitments on 10 services sectors, as well as on a wide range of sub-sectors.

The WTO stated on Monday that the country had already resolved previously outstanding issues related to trading rights, investment rules, taxes and export subsidies.

The impoverished African nation, one of the world’s poorest countries, began WTO accession consultations in 1999 and concluded negotiations in December of last year.

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy welcomed the General Council’s approval of Cape Verde’s accession last December: “WTO membership will enable Cape Verde to participate more fully in the global economy and will provide the country with a predictable and stable basis for growth and development,” he said.

The country will be the 33rd of the world’s 50 least developed countries to join the WTO.

The nine-island nation, which has a population of 423,000, recorded a GDP of US$1.3 billion in 2006.

ICTSD reporting; “Cape Verde to become WTO’s 153rd member next month,” AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, 23 June 2008; “Cape Verde to join WTO next month as 153rd member,” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 23 June 2008. “Cape Verde to become 153rd member of World Trade Organization next month,” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 23 June 2008.