The significant economic growth shown by Ethiopia over the last two years will help the Word Trade Organization membership process according to Pascal Lamy Director General of the WTO. 
Population size is a WTO requirement which Ethiopia has been able to meet noted Lamy in a meeting held in Addis Ababa last week.
The WTO can offer support in addressing issues related to the quality of products and service said Mulu Solomon, President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations.
Ethiopia is able to export a range of products to the members of the Common Market for East and South Africa according to Mulu.It is to be remembered that it was noted in December that Ethiopia’s ascension to the WTO is a slow and arduous one.
The accession process is taking time and is costing Ethiopia a lot explained Geremew Ayalew, Director of Foreign Trade Relation and Negotiation Directorate, with Ministry of Trade.
The Ethiopian team responsible for the accession process has prepared responses to the third round of questions presented by member states of WTO according to Geremew. The round consists of an estimated 134 questions primarily dealing with economic issues he said.
Ethiopia may be required to privatize and open up the banking, power and telecom industries as part of the accession processes according to experts.
The questions so far, however, have been directed at Ethiopia’s general rules and regulations in relation to trade activities said Geremew. The process is expected to become more challenging during the bilateral negotiations stage.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
