The out-going World Trade organization (WTO) Director General, Pascal Lamy announced that Ethiopia may be eligible to join the WTO by 2014, according to Ventures Africa.

Mr Lamy made the announcement while on a visit to Ethiopia where he met senior government officials. He discussed with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tedros Adhanom the accession procedures and requirements for membership, which Ethiopia has been working to meet for some time.

Ethiopia made its initial application to become part of the WTO in 2003, and a Working Party to consider and guide the country’s accession was set up in February of the same year.

Key issues pertaining to Ethiopia joining the WTO have surrounded the opening up of currently state-monopolized sectors, such as the telecommunications and finance sectors, while the country has also been called upon to allow investment by foreign entities.

The current announcement by Lamy indicates that Ethiopia may be nearing completion of all the transformations required by the organization, with the Director General’s visit also intended to provide specific advice in order that the final stages of accession may be swift.

In addition to the accession talks, Lamy also reportedly met with the country’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn in order to discuss matters of economic integration, with a view to creating a stable economic space in Ethiopia and the region, as well as speaking about Ethiopia’s role in the upcoming G-20 meeting to be held in Russia later this year.

Once Ethiopia meets all of the requirements set out for accession, the final decision regarding membership will fall to the member countries of the WTO, who must all sign and ratify an accession agreement granting full membership.