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MoFT Takes Part in Joint Workshop

The workshop was held for the second time in Abu Dhabi, and shed light on topics of great importance in formulating trade and economic policies for the Arab States. The event also updated Arab parliamentary members on the latest developments in international trade issues in general.

Delivering an opening speech on behalf of Shaikha Lubna, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, MoFT Director-General Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Saleh focused on the importance of the workshop and the role of its participants in formulating productive trade and economic policies throughout the Arab States.

He also emphasised the need to improve communications between WTO and Arab national parliaments, which would ultimately facilitate better decision-making on issues related to regional and international trade negotiations.

“The importance of this workshop, which is designed to inform parliamentary members of the latest developments in the WTO’s multilateral trade negotiations, particularly the Doha Development Agenda, lies in its influence on regional participation in the creation of trade and economic policies as well as their regulatory enforcement,” he said.

There is no doubt that WTO agreements have a significant impact on national trade and economic legislation; informing members of parliaments in advance on topics and issues relevant to multilateral trade negotiations can contribute significantly to more effective decision making,” said Al Saleh.

Al Saleh explained that issues such as market access and reductions on domestic support and tariffs on agricultural goods form the complexity of negotiations. He said that developing countries have pushed for a significant reduction in the support provided by developed countries for their agricultural production in order to attain a resilience that is consistent with their status as developing countries.