13th WTO Accessions roundtable meetings begin in Muscat
Muscat: The 13th China Roundtable on World Trade Organisation (WTO) Accession commenced on Monday in Muscat under the theme 'Advancing Arab Economies: From Strategic Accession to Global Trade Integration.'
Hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in collaboration with the WTO and the Government of the People's Republic of China, the three-day event aims to foster dialogue on global trade integration.
Dr. Saleh Said Masan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for Trade and Industry, emphasized that Oman's hosting reflects its commitment to constructive dialogue and strengthening multilateral trade cooperation. He noted that the roundtable sessions stem from productive collaboration with the WTO and China, providing a platform to discuss accession challenges and share expertise among member states.
Dr. Masan highlighted Oman's proactive role in supporting developing nations' WTO accession efforts, including technical and financial assistance to Seychelles and the Comoros, underscoring Oman's dedication to international cooperation and shared development. He expressed hope that the discussions would unlock new avenues for economic and trade collaboration, promoting a fairer and more inclusive global trade system.
On his turn, Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, remarked that holding these meetings for the second time in an Arab nation—following the 12th roundtable in Abu Dhabi (2024)—signals the region's growing role in advancing multilateral trade. He stressed that WTO membership serves as a strategic milestone for nations seeking global economic integration, fostering growth, investment, and competitiveness.
Meanwhile, WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang praised Oman's post-accession economic diversification and reforms since joining the organization in 2000. In a recorded address, he noted that the region's share of global non-oil merchandise trade remains below 2%, with intra-Arab trade under 10% in 2022—a gap WTO accession could help bridge by spurring domestic reforms and regional integration.
China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Yan Dong, emphasised the rules-based multilateral trade system's three-decade contribution to facilitating global trade and investment.
The roundtable features five key sessions, covering topics such as GCC economic visions, trade's role in diversification strategies, Oman's economic diplomacy, and private-sector engagement. A joint Arab study on WTO accession best practices will also be launched, analyzing recent Arab members' experiences.
The meetings aim to bolster Arab and international cooperation under the WTO framework while reinforcing Oman's position as a hub for economic dialogue. Since its 2012 launch in Beijing, 12 roundtables have been held globally, including at WTO ministerial conferences. The Abu Dhabi 2024 meeting marked the first in the Arab world.
The opening was attended by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, alongside GCC ambassadors and senior officials from member states.
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