Key Takeaways
- 11 of 17 bilateral market-access negotiations have been concluded and signed, Minister Yasmin told WTO members.
- Six agreements remain, with several nearing completion, Capital reports.
- All 17 agreements must be finalised and submitted before the Secretariat consolidates goods and services commitments.
- Negotiating members will then technically verify Ethiopia’s draft schedules.
- December 8 is the deadline for members’ written questions and comments.
- Recent reforms cover foreign exchange, customs, taxation, trading rights and import licensing.
- Further draft legislation covers taxes, duties and trade-related intellectual property rights.
Market Impact
Remaining bilateral agreements are a prerequisite for consolidating market-access commitments.
Multilateral review continues separately: the Secretariat will revise the Working Party report after receiving comments.
Key Numbers
- 11 — signed bilateral deals
- 6 — remaining deals
- 17 — negotiations initiated
- December 8 — comments deadline
Business Signal
Ethiopia’s accession remains dependent on completing negotiations and technical review.