. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/138 
4 February 2010 
 (10-0590) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
AFGHANISTAN 
 
Statement by H.E Mr. Wahidullah Shahrani
 
Minister of Commerce & Industry  
 
(Speaking as an Observer) 
 
 
1. Afghanistan is still only an observer to the WTO, but our commitment to become a member is 
strong and we fully support the goals of the Doha  Development Round with its pledge to bring the 
needs and concerns of the Least-Developed Count ries to the forefront of the negotiations.  
2. With Afghanistan’s submission of the Memo randum on the Foreign Trade Regime (MFTR) 
to the WTO secretariat in March of this year, th e accession process has started. We are excited and 
optimistic that with the help of our trading partne rs we will be able to ne gotiate and obtain approval 
for the membership of Afghanistan in the not so distant future. 
3. In addition to the submission of the MFTR, Af ghanistan has undertaken several steps towards 
closer cooperation with the WTO and final membership: 
• A comprehensive Trade and Tariff Policy Framework was drafted and approved by the 
Cabinet;  
• Several commercial laws have been drafte d that will also enable and facilitate 
international trade from Afghanistan; 
• The regulatory framework is undergoing revisions to become more WTO-compliant;  
• Practical steps have been taken to reduce unnecessary impediments for trade, such as 
simplification of export procedures and lowering tariffs;  
• Engaging in negotiations to modernize existi ng transit agreements with neighbors and to 
join regional trade agreements; 
• Improving the trading infrastructure, including roads and border posts which also 
provides benefits to its neighbors who will be ab le to use Afghanistan as a transit route to 
other market destinations;  
• The Cabinet of Afghanistan recently approve d a WTO Accession Action Plan that will be 
the guide for preparing the negotiating process and the implementation of reforms needed 
towards becoming a full member of the WTO. WT/MIN(09)/ST/138 
Page 2  
 
  4. Of course this is only the beginning of a long process of reform and adjustment, as well as 
negotiating appropriate terms for our accession to this  organization. The next measures that will be 
taken are: 
• To prepare the implementation of the WTO Accession Plan by detailing the necessary 
domestic reform steps, build up the institu tional capacity, outline negotiating goals and 
engage our trading partners in discussion about our membership; 
• Initiating the first Working Party Meeting if possible early next year. 
5. Afghanistan is facing many challenges today, and the move towards a market-based economy 
after years of conflict is a difficult task. Neverthe less, Afghanistan is deeply committed to use the 
WTO accession process as an opportunity to adjust a nd modernize its procedur es, policies, standards 
and trading facilities.  
6. However, to fully utilize the process we still require the support and assistance from our 
international partners through trade capacity bu ilding and Aid for Trade programs. The Afghan 
Government appreciates the already provided  help over recent years in this sector. 
7. The accession process will enable and prepare th e private sector in Afghanistan to become 
competitive in international markets by provid ing the tools to benefit from the future WTO 
membership. The membership of the WTO is ne gotiated by governments but the real economic 
implementation is done by the producers, traders a nd consumers -- big or small – all over the world. 
Only if we have their support can the vision of the WTO be realized.  
8. The Government of Afghanistan is convinced that WTO membership can help to provide 
additional economic opportunities which are vital to  raise incomes and living standards for the 
Afghan people, for this we wish to  become a member of the WTO. 
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