During 28-29 March a seminar “WTO Accession: Possible Consequences for Ukrainian Agriculture, Agri-Food Markets and Rural Development” was held by the Institute for Rural Development. IRD Director Svitlana Prokopenko and Economic Expert Tamara Ostashko made key presentations.
Other speakers were Irina Kobuta, UNDP APHD Project Strategic Manager, and Natalia Seperovych, UNDP APHD Senior Analyst.
The papers covered the following topics: WTO key concepts and history: trade policy development stages; WTO membership advantages and risks: lessons of transition economies; Possible consequences of WTO accession for Ukrainian agriculture (impact assessment of reduced tariffs on main agricultural commodities); Advantages and risks for some AIC sectors, i.e. meat production, dairy etc.; Harmonization of Ukrainian agricultural legislation to the World Trade Organization's norms and rules.
Answers were given to questions “Why is it necessary for Ukraine to join WTO? What will accession process be like? What impact may WTO membership have on Ukrainian agriculture and rural population etc.
The seminar was organized for regional advisory service specialists (around 30 people attended) to target broader rural audience – rural population, agricultural commodity producers, local authorities.
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