Kazakhstan may enter WTO in 2005 - minister of industry and trade

/Kazakhstan today, October 13, 03/ - Kazakhstan may enter WTO in the nearest two years, stated today, on October 13, minister of industry and trade Adilbek Jaksybekov, speaking within the framework of governmental hour in Astana. "Our task is to optimally enter (WTO) in the nearest two years, before 2005", - he said having noted that "we hope and make it as our aim". At the same time the minister noted that "it's very difficult to call exact term of entering WTO". According to his words, at present there has been formed working group for admitting Kazakhstan into WTO, the staff of which comprises representatives of 66 out of 150 countries-members of WTO. "We have opened negotiations with 36 of them ", - he said. In particular, according to Jaksybekov's data, negotiations are being held concerning "11 th. positions only for goods (tariffs)". "This is a very complicated process, - the minister said, - we have been holding it since 1996". At the same time he noted that entering WTO would let Kazakhstan "have opportunity to protect its interests, as a member of WTO". In particular, according to the minister's words, for Kazakhstan "such measure as limit for taking our goods into other countries - members of WTO will be removed". He explained that at that time, for example, export of Kazakhstan steel to EC's countries was limited with 110 th. tons, and after entering WTO "great possibilities will be opened for Kazakhstan in the view of its interests protection in the world economy". [2003-10-13]