CSC Participates in WTO’s Ministerial Conference in Argentina

Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) Dr. Saud Al Meshari is set to participate alongside a Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majid Al Qassabi, in the 11th World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Delegations and representatives of 164 countries will be present at the conference.

Dr. Al Meshari stated that CSC’s participation in this vital economic event reflects the reputable place the Kingdom, and particularly the Saudi business community, holds in international arenas. It enables the business community to participate in developing and making decisions alongside the WTO in line with the interests and prospects of the community. He added that the Ministerial Conference is the highest authority for decision making at the WTO. Al Meshari noted that the conference outcomes are significant to maximizing the Saudi business community’s benefits from the international trade law and facilitating access of Saudi exports to foreign markets.

As for the Ministerial Conference’s agenda, Al Meshari said that it will tackle the latest developments in the current negotiations among Member States regarding freeing international trade, fisheries and agriculture, local regulations in service sectors, and initiatives on e-commerce, facilitating investments, and SMEs. He added that the WTO Ministerial Conference is held every two years, and is the main authority for making decisions as Member States’ Ministers of Commerce get together to present issues of concern as conveyed by the participating delegations, and find solutions for these concerns.

The CSC Secretary General noted CSC’s continued efforts since Saudi Arabia became a member of the WTO in 2005, including introducing the Saudi business community to WTO’s laws and agreements, and the entitlements resulting from the Kingdom’s membership. In addition to how the business community can benefit from this membership. To achieve this, CSC held several seminars, lectures, and workshops across the Kingdom, and issued a serial guideline, titled “Saudi Business Community Guide to WTO laws) which sheds light on the many aspects of the WTO functions so as to increase awareness in the Saudi business community in this regard.