The government of Somalia has made great strides on becoming an official member of the WTO. The deputy prime minister of Somalia, Salah Ahmed Jama, and a huge delegation led by him are in Geneva right now to finalize this process, where the meeting was held between Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of WTO.
This meeting was the follow-up of talks that commenced on Monday between Somalia and the WTO, marking the invitation to start the long-awaited process of Somalia to join the international body.
The Deputy Prime Minister underscored the government’s strong commitment that this process would succeed, thus enabling Somalia to become an official WTO member. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her part, assured that the organization would offer Somalia technical assistance in going through the membership process.
These talks, much hoped for and long-awaited by Somalia, are quite valuable in the endeavor toward enhanced trade partnership and economic growth. Membership of the WTO would open up the markets of this world to Somalia, increase foreign investments in Somalia’s economy, and ease international trade.
Somalia has already become a member of such regional organizations as the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which are important in the context of boosting economic cooperation in the region. Somalia has also, through its membership, acquired a voice in the United Nations Security Council, being granted official membership in the year 2025.