Bumped this article up .. it's the end of 2011! .. also, recent related article ~ Iraq and WTO ~ Iraq and UNCTAD Meeting ... and .. *WTO December 15-17-2011 ~ Eighth WTO Ministerial Conference ~ Russia To Become a Member with U.S. Backing ... 
November 23, 2009
U.S. official: Iraq may join WTO by end-2011
A U.S. official said Iraq had to join the WTO by the end of 2011 if diligently sought for membership that may help reconstruction efforts through the promotion of trade and investment.
Iraq has begun the process of accession in 2004, however, has taken only initial steps required by the membership.(Read Full Report 2004) ~ link ~Iraq may also receive limited benefits, given that Iran is one of its major trading partners are not a member of the Organization.
But Larry Morgan, director of international trade, trade the draft of the U.S. Agency for International Development said that some Iraqi ministries such as Ministry of Finance is keen to win membership of the organization as it would boost trade and increase the revenues of customs duties.
Continues ...read more ..
The draft and trade advice to the Iraqi Trade Ministry in matters relating to the WTO.
And Morgan said, "As is clear the process is very slow but they are not too far from the track .. I think that if they have made a reasonable effort expected of them will be able to join the end of 2011. This is the earliest possible date."
He pointed out that joining the WTO would increase the chances of Iraq to obtain imported goods and the introduction of standardization and quality control and pave the way for the practice of customs chaotic and less bureaucratic.
And Morgan said, "will allow the Iraqi Customs to join the developed world .. for men and women, Iraqi businessmen the country has one of the worst records in terms of time required for the import and export of goods."
He added that foreign businessmen will feel more protection before venturing into the Iraqi market and to support Iraq's efforts to develop tourism and financial services sectors.
But analysts warn that Iraq will not likely to diversify its economy to include activities other than oil - which already generates 95 percent of government revenues - and that red tape and political debate are delaying many projects on time.
LINK
Below you will find a few links to articles that show how close Iraq is to becoming part of the international community .. once again. Fingers are crossed .. and hopes are high .. kel ...
Iraq needs to activate their exchange rate to become a member of WTO .. Link ~ Iraq and WTO and Dinar " The obstacle that prevents access to Iraq's WTO membership is a file of Iraq's debt, and hopefully will be resolved soon ...*Iraq, Shabibi, and UNCTAD ~ November 2011 ~Iraq and UN ~ *Central Bank of Iraq ~ Shabibi Attends UNCTAD Meetings (additional articles below today's post:) ...
*WTO December 15-17-2011 ~ Eighth WTO Ministerial Conference ~ Russia To Become a Member with U.S. Backing ... *March 2012 ~ WTO Seminar on Exchange Rates and Trade ~ And ..December 15-17-2011 8th WTO Ministerial Conference ...
Friday, December 9, 2011
Iraq's Minister of Planning meets the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva.
Met with His Excellency the Minister of Planning Dr. Yusuf Ali Shukri, the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 8/12/2011, and the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq Ambassador Mohammed Ali Hakim, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi.
The sides discussed on many issues of concern to Iraq, especially the most important priorities of the main economic issues and development and activating programs to assist Iraq in the framework of its accession to the WTO and the Iraq policy in the field of investment and trade, science and technology, in addition to holding training courses for the development of Iraqi capabilities in the areas of trade and human development, economic and prepare a report of an integrated investment policy of Iraq, and expressed the readiness of the Secretary-General of UNCTAD to provide the necessary support and technical advice for Iraq and the request from the Iraqi side to prepare a paper priorities include Iraq in the short and medium enterprises.
Including the development of a general framework for comprehensive economic policy, including key sectors such as energy, agriculture, water, industry and human resources.
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