The Ministry of Trade announces the completion of seven major files related to Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The Ministry of Trade announces the completion of seven major files related to Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
2025-09-01
The Ministry of Trade announced, on Monday, that the current government’s efforts to join Iraq to the World Trade Organization (WTO) have exceeded all previous measures combined. While indicating the completion of 7 main files, it confirmed the preparation of accurate answers to 175 questions related to Iraq’s accession to the organization. The ministry’s spokesman, Mohammed Hanoun, told the official agency that “Iraq’s accession file to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is proceeding with steady and deliberate steps in coordination with relevant government agencies and supporting international institutions,” noting that “Iraq has resumed the accession process after a long hiatus, as the third meeting of the working group concerned with accession was held in July 2024, during which updated documents related to the Iraqi trade system were submitted.”
He added that “Iraq has completed all the technical files required to join the World Trade Organization after a negotiating process that spanned more than twenty years, during which Iraq faced numerous challenges and delays.” He noted that “this achievement was realized during the current government’s term with intensive qualitative efforts that exceeded what was achieved in previous stages combined, and that Iraq is now in an advanced position paving the way for fulfilling the requirements for full membership.”
Hanoun also explained that “the national team concerned with accession, in coordination with the relevant ministries and sectoral bodies, and in partnership with international institutions, completed the review and updating of all technical files, which included the foreign trade system memorandum, the legislative implementation plan, agricultural support schedules, the import licenses and customs valuation file, the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) files, and technical barriers to trade (TBT) files.”
He continued, “The team prepared accurate answers to (175) questions and inquiries submitted by the member states of the organization, while the Iraqi customs system was updated to the latest version in line with international standards and enhances Iraq’s readiness for the next stages,” indicating that “the files will be officially submitted to the World Trade Organization Secretariat through diplomatic channels in preparation for holding the next meeting of the working group.”
Hanoun also explained that “what has been achieved is the result of the great support of the government and the continuous coordination with all ministries and national institutions, and the efforts of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations in leading this strategic path to strengthen Iraq’s position in the global trading system, serve its national economy, and achieve sustainable development.” He pointed out that “over the past months, the ministry has held workshops and training programs to develop national cadres concerned with negotiating and managing the file, with the participation of the Council of Representatives and the private sector, while technical meetings have resumed to complete the discussion of the agendas related to trade in goods and services.”
Hanoun also emphasized that “joining the World Trade Organization represents a strategic step toward integrating the Iraqi economy into the international trading system, attracting investment, and improving the competitiveness of national exports.” He noted that “the accession process is subject to multilateral international negotiation procedures and varies from country to country depending on the completion of legislation and reforms. However, Iraq is committed to accelerating this process to achieve the national interest and preserve the sovereignty of economic decision-making.”
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