RESTRICTED  
  
JOB/ACC/COM/3  
8 December  2016 
(16-6714) Page: 1/3 
Working Party on the Accession  
of the Union of the Comoros  Original:  French  
 
  ACCESSION OF THE UNION OF THE COMOROS  
STATEMENT BY H.E.  MR DJAFFAR AHMED SAID HASSANI, VICE -PRESIDENT OF THE UNION  
OF THE COMOROS, MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY, PLANNING, ENERGY, INDUSTRY,  
CRAFTS, TOURISM, INVESTMENT, PRIVATE SECTOR AND LAND AFFAIRS  
First meeti ng of the Working Group on the Union of the Comoros  
2 December  2016 
1. Thank you Mr Chairman . Esteemed a mbassadors, distinguished representatives of States 
and international and regi onal organizations at the WTO, m embers of the WTO Secretariat, 
ladies  and gen tleman,  
 
2. It is in my role as Vice-President of the Union of the Comoros in charge of the Ministry of the 
Economy and Trade that I am taking the floor today, on the occasion of this first meeting of the 
Working Party opening  the negotiations for the accessi on of the Comoros to  the WTO.  
 
3. Let me begin by briefly outlining the political and socioeconomic context of the Comoros as 
we embark on these negotiations.  
 
4. After several decades of political and institutional instability, last May my country enjoyed  its 
fourth successful democratic changeover, testifying to the renewed stability and progressive 
strengthening  of the democratic values that the Government is determined to defend 
and promote.  
 
5. The presidential election of May 2016 resulted in the appointment  of his Excellency 
Mr Azali Assoumani to the country's highest office, Head of State, and as Vice -President, also 
elected by direct universal suffrage, I have had the great honour of forming with him the 
presidential ticket , in accordance with the country's Constitution.  
 
6. This fourth democratic and peaceful changeover has served to ensure continuity and to 
reinforce the rule of law . It is also an indication  that international commitments will be respected.  
 
7. Following the inauguration, and in keeping with its electoral  commitments, the Government 
introduced a five-year investment plan for the period 2016 -2021. 
 
8. This plan, which focuses on good governance, aims to revive the country's hitherto flagging 
growth . It provides for fiscal consolidation, control of gov ernment spending, and an increase in the 
already rapidly growing revenue, without introducing any new taxes.  
 
9. The plan makes ample provision  for investment in structural and production infrastructure 
geared towards economic diversification.  
 
10. A net importin g country, the Comoros has seen its export base narrow over the years 
from 20 products at the start of the 1970s to 3 products today . To all intents and purposes, 
the Comorian  economy  is suffering from a structural imbalance, heavily dependent as it is on 
public development aid and transfers from its diaspora to  sustain economic growth that is 
dominated by public and  private  household consumption.  
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  11. Growth has been moderate, rarely exceeding 3% these past few years, for a population 
growth  rate slightly abov e 3%. Poverty affects approximately 44 % of the population, 
with considerable disparity among  the different  island s. 
 
12. In order to meet the poverty reduction targets and fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDG), the Comoros has to aim for an average an nual growth rate of 6 %, in a context 
of investment.  
 
13. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with these growth and poverty reduction targets  in mind that the 
Government has placed  the accession of the Comoros among its priorities and has taken every 
possible step to a chieve this as quickly as possible.  
 
14. The Government is firmly convinced that trade is an indispensable lever for launching 
growth, and that by acceding  to the WTO and taking on the commitments that such accession 
implies, the Union of the Comoros will be given the opportunity to modernize its administrative, 
economic, and commercial systems  and its legislation, thereby creating, we are convinced, 
a climate conducive to business and direct investment.  
 
15. It is for all these reasons that the Government I repres ent has accomplished  so much  
progress  since it was formed six months ago , progress which has been acknowledged by the 
different WTO  bodies , and by our attentive  and demanding partner s. 
 
16. This was done by mobilizing and raising the aw areness of the different  minist ries, 
the private sector, civil society and, of course, parliament arians , who are  called upon to play a 
major role.  
 
17. Should any further evidence be required , my presence here today testifies to my 
Government's commitment to completing  the negotiati ng process within the deadlines we have 
set ourselves.  
 
18. In cooperation with the WTO and thanks to  the active and much appreciated help of the 
Chair of the Working Party, we have a precise and binding roadmap that we intend to follow down 
to the last detail . We will do everything in our power to ensure that the Union of the Comoros 
becomes a WTO Member in December  2017. 
 
19. At the same time we are perfectly aware, in our commitment and determination, of our 
weaknesses and flaws . I therefore solemnly appeal to al l of the partners here present to help us 
with their advice, expertise, experience, and by any appropriate means , to achieve the goals we 
have set ourselves.  
 
20. My particular thanks go to the partners that are already providing their support, namely the 
WTO,  of course, and its Director -General, as well as the People's Republic of China, the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework , and UNDP Comoros.  
 
21. We trust that the promises made by some of our partners and the commitments that you 
will undoubtedly make to support our  positive momentum will live up to our high hopes . On my 
own behalf and on behalf of my Government, I thank you  all most sincerely in advance.  
 
22. I also owe my heartfelt thanks, of course, to the Chair of the Working Group, 
H.E. Ambassador  Chavez Basagoitia of Peru, for his commitment to our cause, his encouraging 
words and his generous availability.  
 
23. I would like to pay a special tribute to all of the members of the WTO  Accessions  Secretariat 
for their solid expertise in support of our goals, their availabil ity, and their constructive  and 
meaningful interaction with our experts over these past years and months of preparation.  
 
24. We would also like to congratulate and thank the diplomats and experts of our 
Permanent  Mission in Geneva as well as the technical sta ff of the Economic and Trade  Department 
in our capital, and every one else that was involved in this process, for their engagement and for 
the enormous amount of work they have achieved in record time.  
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  25. Finally I want to  thank the private sector in the Como ros, which has been an active 
stakeholder in this process . The private sector is an integral part of our negotiating team.  
 
26. With these well -deserved words of praise and thanks , and buoyed by  the hope we place in 
your support, I shall conclude my statement.  
 
27. Long live international solidarity . I thank you for your kind attention.  
 
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