Trade and Industry Minister Dr. Hashim Yamani has been quoted as saying that some countries, including the United States and Australia, have asked the Kingdom to clarify some of its economic laws and regulations which they consider ambiguous. The minister said that the request was in the Kingdom’s favor since clarification of the laws would allow it time to address the shortcomings before negotiating with the countries.
I am sure anyone reading the minister’s statement would be surprised that so high ranking an official would say such a thing. Such a statement by a veteran minister with long experience can only be likened to the excuses given by lazy students who have not studied for their exam, hoping that their teacher would fall sick and the exam would thus be delayed.
The least that can be said of this particular ministry is that up to now, it has not done what is required of it. For how long has the World Trade Organization been knocking at our doors, telling us to reform our trade regulations? For how long has the WTO been trying to make us understand that amendments and changes in those regulations would be to our benefit? By changing them, we would be allowed to join an international body through which we will be able to be a part of the greater free-trade world.
There is another problem. Some officials associated with the decision-making process linked to the amendments boast of being able to block any move to introduce the required changes. They think by adopting this attitude they will be able to twist the WTO’s arm and force it to accept their terms. If this were true, it would be an indication of a major flaw in the decision-making mentality of some officials and how they want the system to function.
It is too bad that some people insist on living in a cocoon; they can’t come out of isolation and integrate with others because they are afraid of losing something. This is exactly the same mentality that continues to deny this country and its people the opportunity to progress and develop.
