Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept.1 / Trend, N. Ismayilova /
The reforms undertaken by Azerbaijan within the WTO accession process have a positive impact on the country's private sector, Elkhan Mikailov, local expert on the WTO within the framework of the USAID's program on support for trade and investment in Azerbaijan says.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) within the program on support for trade and investment in Azerbaijan held a workshop on the topic "Reforms undertaken in Azerbaijan within entry into the WTO and their impact on the private sector" Aug.1.
"Joining the WTO requires a series of reforms that have a positive impact on the private sector and the country's population. This will also ensure adoption of best practices in Azerbaijan and accelerating the market economy's transition from the phase of developing economy into the phase of developed economy," Mikailov said.
He noted that the main directions of reforms within accession to the WTO are the tariff policy, legislation, service sector, agricultural sector. According to him, Azerbaijan should join the WTO, and the reforms undertaken in the country within the accession process, will play a positive role in development of the country's economy.
USAID program on support for trade and investment consists of two components: support for Azerbaijan's entry into the WTO and improvement of trade and investment environment in the country. The project's implementation will be completed this fall.
Azerbaijan is in the process of holding negotiations with the United States, Japan, Brazil, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, the EU, Norway, India, South Korea and Taiwan. This year, Switzerland joined the list in 2009.
Currently, negotiations were completed and protocols were signed with Turkey, Oman and the UAE. The country is at the stage of signing protocols with Moldova and Kyrgyzstan.
Recently, the WTO Secretariat extended a working group on Azerbaijan by including four more countries, the Azerbaijani Economic Development Ministry reported.
The WTO Secretariat established the working group on Azerbaijan July, 16, 1997.