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  This
is the first ever WTO-related Conference at Ministerial-level in the
region. The Conference is organised by the WTO and hosted by the
Government of Georgia. WTO Director-General, Mr. Mike Moore,
will launch the Conference with President of the Republic of Georgia,
Mr. H.E Eduard Shevardnadze.
“Never
before has the WTO Secretariat organised a Ministerial Conference of
this kind in the region. We have done too little in the past. More
attention needs to be devoted to this region that has always occupied
a vital position in the world. This Conference will help redress this
neglect and contribute towards its further integration into the
multilateral trading system. The objectives of the Conference are
two-fold. First, to assist countries, which are either in the process
of joining or have recently joined, to participate successfully in the
multilateral trading system. Second, to help identify ways to support
countries’ preparations for, and participation in, the current
negotiating process.”, Mr. Mike Moore said today.
“Today,
every government wants foreign direct investment. Many countries are
now recognizing that the way to attract foreign direct investment is
to demonstrate that their trade regimes are stable and credible. One
important way in which countries can demonstrate their commitment to
policy stability, predictability and good governance is through
membership of the WTO. This shows potential investors, both domestic
and foreign-based, that countries are prepared to abide by an agreed
set of rules and understandings”.
The
Conference provides Ministers from the region with a unique
opportunity to consider critical issues relating to their countries'
participation in the WTO multilateral trading system. Discussions will
focus in separate sessions on enhancing trade and investment
opportunities, the Doha Development Agenda, regionalism, technical
cooperation and accessions. Trade and finance Ministers and high-level
officials from Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkey,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, and international organizations
and agencies working in the region are scheduled to participate.
> Full
text of Mr. Moore's statement
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