A World Trade Organisation (WTO) Working Party has cleared Samoa's bid to join the trade organisation subject to the approval of ministers at the Eight Ministerial Conference scheduled for December 15-17, 2011. Samoa applied for WTO membership on April 15, 1998.
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said: “Samoa’s accession to the WTO is a sign of confidence in the organization and the global trading system. WTO membership will enable Samoa to participate more fully in the global economy and will provide the country with a predictable and stable basis for growth and development. Samoa’s accession brings good news to the WTO family as we gather for the 8th Ministerial Conference.”
Samoa’s Chief Executive Officer from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Auelua Samuelu Enari, welcomed the Working Party's decision noting that it marked a substantial milestone for Samoa’s WTO accession process, paving the way for Samoa’s integration into the multilateral trading system and reinforcing its participation in the global trade economy. He added that WTO accession was a worthwhile investment in the long run for Samoa’s economic development.
As part of the long-running accession process, which began in 1998, Samoa has agreed to undertake a series of important commitments to further liberalize its trade regime and accelerate its integration in the world economy, while offering a transparent and predictable environment for trade and foreign investment, the WTO said./.