WTO membership: Hakim calls for speeding Lebanon’s accession

The Minister of Economy and Trade, Dr. Alan Hakim, confirmed last Friday during the meeting of the national committee assigned to study Lebanon’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the ministry is still studying the subject from all its aspects. Critical issues, he said, include the upgrading, amendment or drafting of new legislations; review of the formerly submitted proposals and technical documents; training of involved persons in both private and public sectors; assessment of the compatibility of Lebanese systems and laws with principles facilitating international trade; organizing training workshops for persons involved in studying the file, and finally, conducting an assessment survey on the viability of trade agreements. Hakim pointed out to the benefits to Lebanon from WTO membership, which, according to him, include, improving access of national exports to new markets, benefiting form preferential commitments, and strengthening the credibility of the country by the introduction of effective reforms required by the world organization. However, Hakim mentioned that accession will result in obligations which officials need to ensure that they are in line with the interests of Lebanon particularly its productive and commercial sectors. “Every delay”, Hakim warned “raises the cost of accession and leads to additional concessions.” Therefore, “I urge a speedy but not hasty process,” the minister said.  (An Nahar, Al Diyar, February 27, 2016)