The World Trade Organization's governing body gave the green light on Tuesday to Oman to join the global trade body, the WTO said, Geneva, (AFP)
Oman's Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbool Ali Sultan brought to Geneva the ratification document for Oman's entry, which he was authorized to sign by his government after getting approval by the WTO general council.
A 30-day period must now follow the ratification and the country is expected to become the 139th member of the Geneva-based organization on November 9.
Seven countries in the Middle East are already members -- Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are still in the process of negotiating their memberships with the WTO. They are among 28 governments trying to join currently.
Oman has been working to join the WTO since April 1996 – (AFP)
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