A new round of negotiations to join the World Trade Organization
Iraq is continuing its technical and legislative preparations to complete its accession process to the World Trade Organization, a move reflecting its efforts to strengthen its integration into the global economy and create a more stable and attractive investment environment. The Ministry of Trade confirmed that work is progressing rapidly to update the technical files related to goods.
In addition to reviewing the memorandum on the foreign trade system, in line with the new decisions relating to customs tariffs, as part of preparations for the fourth round of negotiations with the member states of the organization.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Trade, Mohammed Hannoun, explained to Al-Sabah that the technical teams are continuing to complete the updating of the required data and information, in preparation for resuming negotiations on the goods and services files, which are among the basic pillars in the accession process.
He noted that the timeframe for Iraq's full membership in the organization remains contingent on progress in completing these negotiations, as well as the stability of the domestic economic situation. He expressed hope that Iraq's acceptance as a member would be announced in 2028-2029, provided the procedures proceed as planned.
Addressing the reasons for the delays in the accession process over the past years, Hanoun explained that one of the most significant factors was the failure to enact several important economic laws during the previous parliamentary session, most notably the draft Intellectual Property Law, which is considered essential for fulfilling Iraq's obligations to member states.
This law is viewed as part of a package of legislation necessary to guarantee the protection of commercial and industrial rights and to align the domestic legal environment with international trade rules.
According to experts, Iraq faces a number of objective challenges that require careful consideration before fulfilling the membership requirements. Foremost among these challenges is the continued heavy reliance on the oil sector as the primary source of revenue, given the weak diversification of the national economy's productive base. There is also a pressing need to modernize the legislative framework in the areas of trade, investment, and government subsidies, in order to align with the organization's rules and minimize any potential conflicts with its commitments.
Among the key areas of focus are the harmonization of customs and trade policies, enhancing transparency in administrative procedures, simplifying import controls, and developing the institutional and technical capacities of the entities responsible for managing the accession process and implementing international obligations. These steps are essential to ensure an orderly transition to a more open and competitive trade environment, without causing sudden shocks to the domestic market.
In the same context, the Administrative Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mahdi Suhr al-Jubouri, affirmed that Iraq has reached an advanced stage of negotiations, particularly regarding aligning agricultural policies with international standards. In a statement to Al-Sabah newspaper, he explained that the Ministry is working to adapt to the requirements of the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization, which allows countries to take measures to protect human, animal, and plant health, while adhering to international standards issued by recognized institutions such as the International Plant Protection Convention and the World Health Organization.
Al-Jubouri explained that the legal framework governing the agricultural sector includes legislation that complies with international standards, such as the Animal Health Law No. (32) of 2013 and the Agricultural Quarantine Law No. (76) of 2012. These laws regulate pest and disease prevention measures, import controls, oversight of health certificates, and the application of agricultural quarantine rules at border crossings. He noted that these laws form an important foundation for enhancing confidence in Iraqi agricultural products in foreign markets.
In contrast, Al-Jubouri warned that the anticipated trade liberalization upon joining the WTO would lead to increased competition in the Iraqi market due to the gradual reduction of customs barriers, posing challenges for local producers, particularly in the agricultural sector. He emphasized the need for targeted and regulated agricultural support within clear legal frameworks to contribute to increased production efficiency, improved quality, and enhanced competitiveness.
Economic experts believe that completing the accession process represents a strategic step to enhance Iraq’s position in the international trading system, provided that this is accompanied by genuine structural reforms that contribute to diversifying the economy, improving the business environment, and developing the legislative and institutional infrastructure. link
