I strongly call upon businesses owners, investors, industrialists, traders, service providers, patent firms and agribusinesses to utilize such available organizations as the Chambers of Commerce & Industry, economic think tanks, banks and financial institutions, SABIC and ARAMCO in order to develop a mechanism or set up a body to be a much-needed data source.
The body and its capabilities could be used for tackling issues such as whether or not it is for the Kingdom to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and to determine the right time for doing so. Furthermore, have we evaluated what we will gain or achieve by joining? In addition, have we examined how prepared we are in order to be as competitive as possible and what are our aims.
All of these questions were included in the negotiation process which was confidential by its nature. We all know that any so-called confidential matter involving more than one person is subject to leaks, exaggerations and rumors.
I often hear gossip appearing in the guise of truth which is only destructive; far worse, it could lead to errors in planning and decision-making.
Our ancestors used to say that assets not in their homeland was neither theirs nor their sons. In other words, if joining the WTO is, as some may believe, an unavoidable evil, why not stay out or at least look carefully at what we believe are its shortcomings?
An international organization such as the WTO with a membership of one hundred forty one nations controlling more than eighty percent of world trade would not be as bad as some might perceive.
What I really was afraid of is that the trade business would get mixed up and subsequently our traditions would get mixed up with other traditions that are inconsistent with ours.
Isn’t it a condition that any nation interested in being a member of WTO must accept the traditions of other members? Hence any fundamental differences in traditions and values must not affect the WTO rules and regulations.
I got upset by seeing a daily newspaper published abroad quoting Reuter-Dubai: “A Saudi official said that the European negotiators are demanding that everything must be in accordance with a legal framework and not by arbitrary decisions from higher authorities.
This is an obvious reference to the practice in Saudi Arabia of governing by royal decree. However, experts say that the ambiguity of the Saudi law makes it difficult for the Kingdom to join the WTO.
What we are hearing, either openly or behind closed doors is not what incited these comments. The real motive for writing was Interior Minister Prince Naif’s statement: “It is important that we should know the exact terms and conditions for joining WTO. There is a necessity to evaluate this venture and negotiations should be in line with our beliefs. We must be prepared for the stage following the Kingdom’s membership to be based upon clear and defined strategy.”
I hope that Prince Naif’s support extended to the Ministerial Committee will help in prompting a study to illustrate the pros and cons before the Kingdom joins the WTO.
The Saudi negotiating team requires both qualitative and quantitative back up, along with a sufficient budget for this specific mission.
Finally, we say good luck to those businesses which have relocated their operations to other parts of the world. And, for businesses remaining in this country, may God reward their dedication accordingly.