Ethiopia’s push for WTO membership receives backing from UAE, UK

Addis Ababa, February 28, 2024 (FBC) – The Ethiopian delegation, headed by Gebremeskel Chala, the Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, engaged in discussions with delegates from the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

These deliberations took place amidst the proceedings of the 13th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Note that Gebremeskel Chala also assumes the role of chair for Ethiopia’s committee overseeing its accession to the WTO.

In that vein, the Ethiopian delegation conferred with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, on various matters. During the consultation, the Ethiopian delegates elucidated the country’s endeavors to fulfill the membership requirements of the World Trade Organization and the stage the process has reached.

In a subsequent meeting, the Ethiopian delegation also convened with the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Minister for London, Greg Hands, and his delegation.

During the discussion, the British delegation members pledged their backing to Ethiopia’s endeavors to finalize the WTO membership.

Furthermore, delegates from both the UK and the United Arab Emirates commended Ethiopia’s strides towards becoming a WTO member and acknowledged its progress thus far.

They underscored that Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization would be mutually beneficial for the East African nation and other member states, given Ethiopia’s substantial market size and economy.