Yemen to join WTO

Yemen is preparing to submit for membership in the World Trade Organization before the end of this year, stating its desire to enjoy full membership and set up a negotiation team.

In statements to the press on Tuesday in Sanaa, Yemeni Minister of Supply and Commerce Abdul Aziz al-Kamim said the national committee which was formed for this purpose is making talks and will submit its draft request to join the WTO to the Cabinet to make further discussions and then to approve the decision within the coming weeks.

The Yemeni minister added, "We believe the economic and administrative reforms in Yemen will help us meet the set stipulations of the WTO," adding that representatives of the private sector will take part in the negotiations with the WTO. The negotiations are expected to continue for several years.

Yemen had the position of an observer in the WTO in April 1999 and had earlier started a program on economic and financial reforms under the supervision of the IMF and the World Bank.