Ahead of its assuming membership of the World Trade Organization, Oman is removing all non-customs obstacles to agricultural imports. The announcement was made by Dr. Ahmed bin Khalfan Al Rawhai, the Omani minister of agriculture and fisheries, at a seminar organized by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Organization of Islamic Conferences.
According to Gulf News, the minister reported that Oman has won significant privileges in its negotiations to join the WTO, including favorable customs duty norms for important agricultural crops. He also pointed to the European Community’s agreement to lift the ban on Omani fish exports
Dr. Aatif Yahia Bukhari, the FAO assistant director general, said the five-day seminar was designed to help officials in the GCC analyze the potential impact of the WTO membership on their respective agricultural sectors. – (Albawaba-MEBG)
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