How joining the WTO could impact Afghanistan

After nearly 11 years of negotiations, Afghanistan and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have finally agreed on the country's terms of accession to the global trade body. But will this help revive the flailing economy?
"Our country's accession to the WTO will serve as a catalyst for domestic reforms and transformation to an effective and functioning market economy that attracts investment, creates jobs and improves the welfare of the people of Afghanistan," said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani following the agreement reached between his government and the trade body's 161 members on November 11.

Trade ministers are set to formally approve the terms of the country's membership to the global trade club in a meeting in Nairobi on December 15-18. Afghanistan will become a member 30 days after it ratifies the deal, which it will need to do by June 30, 2016.

The WTO is set to expand from 161 to 164 members, with Kazakhstan set to become the 162nd on November 30, and Liberia having recently agreed its membership terms. Afghanistan will become the ninth least-developed country to join the organization since 1995.

"Joining the WTO will help Afghanistan to become part of the global rules-based system for international trade, which will help to improve market access for Afghan exports and help to protect Afghanistan from unfair trade practices by other countries that are part of the WTO," said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific Chief Economist at global analytics firm IHS. - Read More at DW
How joining the WTO could impact Afghanistan

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