Discusses outcomes of ministerial meeting and trade policy review results
July 13, 2016: 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 H.E. Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy. The meeting was attended by H.E. Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Saleh, undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade and Industry, with other representatives from ministries and authorities.
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.
H.E. Al Mansouri thanked all the committee members for their efforts in following up on the topics listed in the multilateral 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.
H.E. 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.