|
"Will Ukraine Become a WTO Member?” — this issue was discussed at the round table held by the Center for Ukrainian Reform Education in Odesa. The Institute for Rural Development’s specialists, Head of the Ukrainian Quality Association Petr Kalita and others made their presentations before the round table’s participants – journalists and economists from the southern regions of Ukraine.
Since 1993 WTO accession issue has been raised in Ukraine. In this period, world commodity turnover has increased almost 3 times, therefore, WTO membership is not a rhetorical question for Ukraine today. «Key advantage is an easier way to penetrate the market in 148 WTO member countries, direct foreign investment, increased export of finished products rather than primary ones, i.e. creating additional jobs, People’s Deputy Vasyl Kalinchuk noted, - Middle East and North Africa countries want to buy our grain for US$ billions. But the negotiations make a complex process. WTO has put forward around 30 requirements, and not all of them are advantageous for our country. Ukraine has not made a concession with regard to at least 4 types of merchandise». It does not mean that we are particular. For example, Kyrgyzia has lost many positions upon joining WTO. Therefore, our fellow citizens’ well-being will depend directly on mutual agreements with the WTO Workgroup.
Say, a consumer will benefit from the import of cheap crude cane-sugar while a producer will lose. «In view of this we should increase investment in people, Petr Kalyta stated. – Speak in images, world quality standards are about a hen rather than an egg. A key condition for WTO membership is changing psychology and management. British farmers pay for upgrading of their machine operators every year! Quality management can ensure production of anything. Today they speak about “the Ukraine phenomenon” in Europe: out of 20 European quality award holders 13 are Ukrainian makers (»Farmak», «Novoukrainka Bakery», «Sandora» and others). We should begin with “brains” like they did in Japan, and then we shall be the best». So, there is no way back for us. Ukraine’s main trade partners are WTO members, therefore, we are running the risk of trade and economic isolation. It is parliamentarians and economists who should take care about the rural population.
Tatyana Narozhnaya
|
|
