DUSHANBE, December 11, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan has been officially admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The Tajik president’s official website reports three documents were signed at a ceremony in Geneva on December 10: the protocol on Tajikistan''s admission to the international organization; the decision of the WTO General Council on approving Tajikistan’s accession; and report of the Working Party on Tajikistan’s accession.

Meanwhile, press release issued by the WTO, in particular, says that the General Council on December 10 paved the way for Tajikistan’s membership of the WTO by approving its accession package.  Tajikistan would have to ratify the deal by 7 June 2013 and would become a WTO member 30 days after the ratification.

“Once Tajikistan completes its domestic ratification procedures, it will become the 159th member of the WTO family.  For Tajikistan, a small and landlocked country, WTO accession is a road leading to the world economy. For the WTO, it is another step towards universality and a sign of confidence in the values and benefits of the multilateral trading system,” the WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said.

Speaking at the ceremony, President, Emomali Rahmon declared “Today constitutes a landmark in Tajikistan''s history and lays solid foundations for further promotion of sustainable social and economic growth. Applying for WTO membership 11 years ago was the right step forward for Tajikistan as it transforms itself into a market economy. Tajikistan will use its WTO membership as a means of fostering future economic growth and prosperity.”

Representatives of the United States, the European Union, China, India, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Ukraine, Turkey Japan, Paraguay and Bangladesh congratulated Tajik delegation for completing Tajikistan’s accession process.

Tajikistan becomes the second Central Asian country to be admitted to the World trade Organization.  Kyrgyzstan became a WTO member in 1998.