Uzbekistan is accelerating efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by 2026, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced. Despite progress, challenges remain, with only 29% of the country’s laws and standards currently aligning with WTO regulations, according to a government report.
At an October 10 meeting, Mirziyoyev acknowledged improvements in standards harmonization but stressed the need for faster reforms. “Much work remains ahead of us,” he stated, noting that product development and quality control must meet international standards to achieve WTO membership.
Of the 269 laboratories in the country, only 105 comply with international standards. Mirziyoyev set a target for all facilities to meet WTO requirements by the end of 2025 and called for a revamp of the personnel training system to support these efforts.
WTO membership is a key part of Mirziyoyev’s strategy to shift Uzbekistan from a supplier of raw materials to an exporter of goods such as durable products, clothing, and food.
Uzbekistan’s WTO application process began in 1994 but saw little progress for years. It regained momentum following a June decree from Mirziyoyev to advance trade reforms.
WTO membership negotiations require countries to adopt liberal trade frameworks based on transparent and fair policies. Uzbekistan now faces the task of implementing these reforms to meet WTO standards by 2026.
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