Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 8 • Number 35 • 20th October 2004

Iraq Seeks WTO Membership

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Iraq’s interim government is seeking WTO Membership. On 30 September, Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammed Al-Jibouri sent a request to join the WTO to WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, who recently distributed it among WTO Members. Iraq took the first step towards joining the 148-member organisation when the General Council approved Iraq’s request for observer status on 11 February 2004. Before Iraq can become a Member, the WTO’s General Council must accept Iraq’s request, and the country must undergo a series of detailed negotiations. Officials indicated it was too late to consider the request at the upcoming General Council meeting scheduled for 20-21 October. The next regular General Council meeting will take place from 13-14 December. Even if Iraq’s request is accepted, actual entry may take a long time. Saudi Arabia and Russia — two other large oil producers still outside the WTO — have been engaged in accession talks for a decade.

According to the US State Department, "the US government supports the Iraqi interim government’s efforts. To that end, we have invited a team of senior Iraqi officials and experts to the US to discuss trade issues, including preparation for WTO accession negotiations". WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi also welcomed the request, cautioning however that Iraq may need some time to prepare. Certain Geneva-based delegates expressed surprise at the quick move by Iraq. "I would have thought they would wait until the country was stable," noted one delegate, adding that, "It’s probably an effort to show that Iraq is stabilising". Trade officials expect Arab states to support Iraqi membership. The fact that the US has blocked a similar request from Iran for the past three years, however, complicates matters. Eight months ago, when Members agreed to Baghdad’s observer status, several countries including the EC, India, and Indonesia, encouraged Washington to drop its opposition to Tehran’s entry. Washington, accusing Iran of backing international terrorism, has not done so.

The economic and political implications surrounding Iraq’s entry may influence negotiations. Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabia. Politically, joining the WTO could serve as an important prod for internal reforms and as a way to gain the confidence of international investors. Membership in the WTO would also open Iraq’s economy to competition and enable its companies to gain access to world markets.

"Iraq Asks To Join World Trade Organisation," REUTERS, 13 October 2004; "Iraq Seeks To Enter Global Economy Via WTO," WASHINGTON TIMES, 15 October 2004; "Iraq bids to join WTO," AFP, 14 October 2004; "Iraq makes formal bid for WTO," GULF DAILY NEWS, 14 October 2004.