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International trade

Advancing Arab Economies: Oman Hosts China Roundtable on WTO Accession

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Sultanate of Oman hosted the 13th China Roundtable on World Trade Organisation (WTO) Accession in Muscat under the theme 'Advancing Arab Economies: From Strategic Accession to Global Trade Integration.' The three-day event aims to foster dialogue on global trade integration, with a focus on accession challenges and expertise sharing among member states. Oman's hosting reflects its commitment to constructive dialogue and strengthening multilateral trade cooperation. The roundtable seeks to unlock new avenues for economic and trade collaboration, promoting a fairer and more inclusive global trade system.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oman's hosting of the 13th China Roundtable on WTO Accession demonstrates its commitment to constructive dialogue and strengthening multilateral trade cooperation, with a focus on accession challenges and expertise sharing among member states.
  • Dr. Saleh Said Masan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for Trade and Industry, emphasized Oman's proactive role in supporting developing nations' WTO accession efforts, including technical and financial assistance to Seychelles and the Comoros.
  • Oman has a history of supporting international cooperation, having offered technical and financial assistance to Seychelles and the Comoros as they pursue WTO accession.
  • Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, highlighted the importance of WTO membership as a strategic milestone for nations seeking global economic integration, fostering growth, investment, and competitiveness.
  • WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang praised Oman's post-accession economic diversification and reforms since joining the organization in 2000, noting the region's share of global non-oil merchandise trade remains below 2%, with intra-Arab trade under 10% in 2022.
  • 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 be launched, analyzing recent Arab members' experiences.

Statistics:

  • Oman has hosted 12 roundtables globally, including at WTO ministerial conferences, since its 2012 launch in Beijing.
  • The Abu Dhabi 2024 meeting marked the first in the Arab world.
  • The region's share of global non-oil merchandise trade remains below 2%, with intra-Arab trade under 10% in 2022.
  • Oman has offered technical and financial assistance to Seychelles and the Comoros as they pursue WTO accession.

Sources:

  • The 13th China Roundtable on World Trade Organisation (WTO) Accession is hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in collaboration with the WTO and the Government of the People's Republic of China.
  • The 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, is quoted in the report.
  • Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs, is also quoted in the report.
  • WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang provided a recorded address.
  • China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Yan Dong, emphasized the rules-based multilateral trade system's three-decade contribution to facilitating global trade and investment.
  • The report mentions a joint Arab study on WTO accession best practices to be launched.

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