UAE committee for WTO holds meet in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business

The UAE National Committee for the World Trade Organization recently held its seventh meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Economy in Abu Dhabi which was chaired by HE Eng Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy. The meeting was attended by HE Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade and Industry and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee, with other representatives from ministries and authorities and the Ministry of Economy also in attendance.
The agenda addressed the major outcomes of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya from December 15 to 19, 2015 and the important developments in the multilateral track of the
conference.
The participants also reviewed the key results of the third Trade Policy Review of the UAE which took place at the WTO headquarters in Switzerland from June 1 to 3, noting the positive results and major observations during the review.
The Committee meeting touched as well on vital developments related to the agreement to facilitate trade within the framework of the World Trade Organization at the local level, the Protocol amending the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the ratification of the Protocol’s procedures, as well as the agreement on environmental goods. It also discussed issues related to the trade policy of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
HE Al Mansouri thanked all the committee members for their efforts in following up on the topics listed in the multilteral negotiation agenda under the umbrella of the WTO and emphasized the importance of protecting the UAE’s trade interests.
The Minister also praised the positive results and the global acclaim given to the UAE’s third Trade Policy Review, which was conducted in line with nationwide efforts to establish a flexible policy; further diversify the economy; enhance competitiveness; continue the great strides made in achieving sustainable growth; build an economy based on knowledge, innovation and advanced technology; and encourage creativity.
HE Al Saleh reviewed the key results of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference as well as the future negotiation framework and the challenges involved. He also addressed the more than 260 comments and questions of other countries during the UAE’s latest Trade Policy Review.
The National Committee members raised a number of observations and intervened on issues included in the minutes of the meeting based on different competences.