Uzbekistan has completed bilateral negotiations with the United States on joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). This was announced by Azizbek Urunov, the special representative of the president for WTO issues, on LinkedIn, Gazeta.uz reports.
The United States became the 21st country with which Uzbekistan has concluded bilateral discussions for accession to the organization.
“Fourteen months of active negotiations have come to a logical conclusion! It was not an easy path, involving complex but substantive negotiations—a lifetime experience. Without the political will, support, and leadership of our president, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as the Presidential Administration and the Interdepartmental Commission, this would likely not have happened,” he wrote.
The special representative thanked the U.S. Trade Representative's office for their "constructive participation." He also expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan's ambassador to Washington, Furkat Sidikov, and trade advisor at the embassy, Okil Ubaydullaev.
Currently, both parties are preparing to sign a market access protocol.
In September, Uzbekistan completed WTO accession talks with 18 countries. Protocols concluding market access negotiations were signed with Brazil and Sri Lanka.
At a meeting with entrepreneurs in August, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called WTO membership a "thoughtful and far-sighted choice, as well as an integral part of reforms." Previously, the economy “somewhat required protection,” but continuing in this direction would limit the country's opportunities, he said.
In May, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev reported that Uzbekistan aims to join the WTO by the 14th Ministerial Conference, which will be held in Cameroon in 2026.
In August of last year, the president signed a decree providing for the cancellation, starting in 2025, of customs fees on the import of medicines and medical products, amendments to the labeling requirements for imported goods in the national language, and other changes.
A separate decree also removes exclusive rights in sectors like metallurgy, chemistry, energy, and telecommunications. Additionally, starting from July 2026, benefits for domestic producers in public procurement, as well as price preferences for local electronics, will be partially abolished.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 4, 2024