DILI, 13 may 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste Government reaffirmed its determination to complete the accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by early 2023.
Following the statement released by the MoEAC Timor-Leste determination to WTO was reaffirmed by the Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession, Joaquim Amaral during the third round table meeting connected virtually from the capital Dili.
Amaral addressed the working party meeting (WPM) by stating that this WPM marked an important landmark and demonstrated that Timor-Leste has all the necessary elements in place to work towards joining the WTO
“Strong political will at the highest level and across all party lines; Timor-Leste readiness to promptly advance with setting up the necessary legislative and policy frameworks, with the involvement of all stakeholders; and a dedicated negotiating team,”
“WTO accession is one of the main economic and trade policies with concreate objectives in Timor-Leste’s Vision for 2030, which is also necessary to help achieve faster economic growth, diversification, and transformation into an upper-middle-income economy with a healthy, well-educated, and safe population,” Amaral opening statement.
“As our nation celebrates 20 years of its independence, we believe Timor-Leste’s integration in the multilateral trading system is an important step that needs to be taken as expeditiously as possible. We are ready to work hard together with members, to make it happen,” he said.
Timor-Leste has worked on the submission of a full inventory of its foreign trade regime for review by the Working Party, on a formulation of its trade policy and market access offers, and — most recently — negotiating its future accession commitments with members.
On the bilateral front, Timor-Leste reported significant advances since July 2021 in market access negotiations with members.
Timor-Leste also said it is revising the initial offers on goods and services to respond to requests by members. Timor-Leste hopes it can sign some of the bilateral market access agreements on the margins of MC12.
On the multilateral front, Timor-Leste submitted replies to additional questions by members, a revision of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Checklist, a revision of the Legislative Action Plan, and translations of new laws as well as an update of the information on Domestic Support and Export Subsidies in the Agricultural Sector.
Based on these documents, the WTO Secretariat produced the “Elements of a Draft Working Party Report”, containing draft language on Timor-Leste’s future WTO commitments.
“We hope that this initial ‘commitment package’, which we understand is already extensive for a least-developed country, demonstrates our dedication to adherence to the WTO rules and reflects our strong will to integrate with the international goods and services markets. As an LDC, we will appreciate members’ consideration of our specific needs in this process,” Mr. Amaral said.
At the meeting, the WTO members welcomed the active engagement and concrete steps taken by Timor-Leste in recent months in its endeavor to advance and conclude WTO accession negotiations.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges
