For years now we have been debating the Kingdom’s accession to the World Trade Organization, and yet after all this time we are still studying, considering, evaluating and further debating.
The world is fast becoming one economic block with few countries still remaining outside the system. One of these happens to be Saudi Arabia. With time and fast changes taking place in world trade, those countries that remain outside the circle will find it more and more difficult to get inside and become active members.
The new world trade system will become stronger and more complicated, and this may further dampen hopes for those countries still hesitant to join the WTO.
No country in the world, no matter how economically strong it might be, including even the United States, can remain outside this system or resist it without the risk of losing a lot. Likewise, no country is able to defend its interests and rights without being an effective member in the system.
It is now a known fact that joining the WTO does not mean countries have to compromise on their religious beliefs or cultural identity. The WTO does not mean there are winning and losing sides, with some benefiting at the expense of others.
The most important objective of the organization is the freeing of world trade by removing economic barriers so that all countries benefit from the atmosphere of open competition in a manner that furthers human development and helps improve living conditions.
If there is any loser it is countries that remain outside the system. A time will come when their hesitation will force them to give concessions to WTO members and implore them to approve their accession.
It is surprising to see that after all this time our country is still far from joining the WTO. The Kingdom plays an influential role in the world economy and exerts major influence in international organizations. Logic says that in any negotiations the parties should work to arrive at a win/win situation. But this will not be achieved unless a spirit of cooperation prevails.
The kind of negotiations needed for WTO accession require patience, experience, wide knowledge and farsightedness. With due respect to the Saudi negotiating team, after all this time shouldn’t we have sought the advice and expertise of experienced negotiators from outside the Kingdom to join the negotiating teams? This wouldn’t constitute an exception since we already have experts helping in many areas. I hope after all these delays we don’t lose our patience and agree out of despair to whatever is required from us to join the WTO.
Arab News From the Local Press 5 August 2003
