Yemen’s steps towards the WTO accession started officially since the beginning of 1998, when a ministerial committee studied on the WTO accession, after the Republic of Yemen made great progress on the economic reform initiated in 1995, in conjunction with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The objective of the WTO accession was affirmed through the statement of the government proposed to the parliament on June 1^st, 1998. It embraced, for the first time, the determination of the WTO accession as one of the goals which Yemen endeavours to fulfill within the framework of integration into the multi-lateral trading system and global economy.

        The National Preparation and Negotiation Mechanism for the WTO accession was established by the Cabinet’s decision to set up a Ministerial Committee on General Negotiation Policies with the WTO, headed by the Prime Minister, and to establish a National Negotiating Team. Furthermore, the decision included setting up the National Preparation and Negotiation Committee with the WTO, headed by the Minister of Industry and Trade.

       The Communication and Coordination Office with WTO (CCO-WTO) at the Ministry of Industry and Trade is deemed the executive focal point of accession process to the WTO, through the Office’s tasks to communicate with stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels. It is also considered the only official communication and coordination agency with the WTO. 

      The Office undertakes, in particular, the following tasks and functions:

       Communicating and coordinating with ministries and national official organizations as well as any other national agencies to be communicated so as to achieve the goal of WTO accession.   

        Communicating and coordinating with the WTO within the framework of accomplishing the objective of the WTO accession.

        Preparing and participating in the meetings of the National Committee’s divisions and in the follow-up of their work results.

       Participating in the preparation of bilateral and multilateral negotiations as well as coordinating with relevant authorities.

        Preparing researches and reports related to the WTO accession process.

        Participating in the preparation and holding of seminars and meetings relating to the WTO accession process and relevant WTO issues and agreements.

        Following up the activities of the National Mechanism, sub-committees and specialized working teams regarding the execution of their tasks and functions.

        Acting as the National Committee Technical Secretariat.

       Carrying out other duties instructed by the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Chairman of the National Committee.

         Within the framework of the constructive cooperation between the Republic of Yemen and the European Union, where the relationship between them has witnessed a positively growing development, the Support of Yemen’s Accession to WTO Project, financed by the EU in December 1^st, 2003, was inaugurated. The 5-year project represents the key technical assistance, and it is the most important means of support offered to our country within accession efforts to the WTO. The technical assistance is implemented by GTZ International Services and Baker & McKenzie.

       The general goal of the project is to achieve Yemen’s accession process to the WTO within five years, where it leads to the integration of trade into Yemen’s development policies and strategy and to the increase of its participation in the international trade. The project covers a number of activities related to the WTO accession, inter alia:

         The technical and administrative assistance to the CCO-WTO within the framework of accession efforts to the WTO.

         Conducting surveys and studies related to the WTO accession and the impacts of accession on several economic sectors.

         The development of the medium and long term strategies for Yemen’s trade policies.

         The institutional support and legislative reform consistent with the requirements of the WTO accession.

         Raising awareness about the WTO issues among all parties concerned with the WTO accession process.

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