Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has made significant progress on its path to joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), hosting the 9th Working Party meeting on 5-6 December 2024. This was highlighted by Jean-Sébastien Roure, Head of the Trade and Investment Policy Department at the International Trade Centre (ITC), on his LinkedIn page.  

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev, underscored Uzbekistan’s active engagement in advancing the negotiation process, Roure noted.  

Over the past 13 months, Uzbekistan has convened three Working Party meetings, reflecting its strong commitment to reforms, according to Roure. He praised the Uzbek negotiating team, led by Chief Negotiator Azizbek Urunov, for its dedicated efforts. The team’s achievements are attributed to firm political will, meticulous technical preparation, and effective coordination. More than 30 officials from various government agencies participated in the discussions via video conference from Tashkent, showcasing their commitment to the process.  

Roure emphasized that Uzbekistan's WTO accession process has been supported by the European Union since February 2020. This initiative aims to foster the country’s economic development by creating a trade and investment-friendly environment aligned with international standards.  

For the private sector, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), WTO membership will bring substantial advantages, particularly in terms of predictability. “Predictability is crucial for economic diversification and attracting investments, and WTO membership ensures this at three levels: international trade, resilience to external shocks, and support for domestic reforms,” Roure explained.  

In the context of global geoeconomic instability, countries with predictable and stable regulatory frameworks are increasingly attractive to businesses and investors. WTO membership will enable Uzbekistan to establish a "safe haven" from potential external economic factors while bolstering internal reform stability.  

“We at ITC are proud to be part of this transformational journey,” concluded Jean-Sébastien Roure, underscoring the significance of these efforts in integrating Uzbekistan into global trade and investment processes.