Iraq accelerates WTO accession process, Baghdad says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq is intensifying its push to join the World Trade Organization, with the new government placing membership among its top economic priorities, according to Iraqi officials. Technical preparations and institutional alignment with WTO rules are underway as part of a broader national economic program. Officials said accession is viewed as a critical step toward integrating Iraq into the multilateral trading system and aligning its trade policies with international rules. They added that WTO membership is expected to support a more predictable business environment and encourage greater foreign investment, though the officials did not provide a timeline for completion. Talks are expected to continue in negotiation format with WTO member states in the coming period. Baghdad is strengthening inter-agency coordination to track its accession file, according to the officials. No further details on the next stages of the process were immediately available.