Members noted that Ethiopia had taken notable steps to move its accession process forward. They also pointed out that work remained to be accomplished on various issues, such as investment and pricing policies, import regulations, customs procedures, export restrictions, state-trading enterprises, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property and services. 

Members acknowledged Ethiopia's least-developed country (LDC) status and the 2002 Guidelines for LDCs' Accession to the WTO. The Working Party Chair, Ambassador Steffen Smidt (Denmark), emphasized that technical assistance was of critical importance and urged members as well as Ethiopia to take all steps necessary in this respect.

Ethiopia's Industry Minister and WTO Chief negotiator M. Mekonnen Manyazewal stated that WTO membership would contribute to the fight against poverty, as he believed that trade was a proven engine for economic development.  He highlighted that Ethiopia had registered double-digit growth over the last eight years. He requested members to consider Ethiopia's LDC status which, he said, should be reflected in the accession terms. He concluded that WTO accession was akin to running a marathon and that Ethiopia was taking a cue from its great long-distance runners. He remained confident that his country had enough endurance to cross the finishing line in good time.

 

Next steps

The Secretariat will prepare a Factual Summary of Points Raised, outlining the discussions in the Working Party.

The date for the next meeting was left open.

 

Background information

• Working Party Chair: Ambassador Steffen Smidt (Denmark)
• Previous Working Party meeting (first): May 2008
• Working Party established in February 2003