Critical analysis of the case of Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization

Abstract

Kazakhstan’s application to join the World Trade Organization began less than five years after achieving full independence from the Soviet Union, when economy of the country required reforms and progress. The accession process differs on a case-by-case basis depending on the country’s economy and policy. In comparison with General agreement trade and tariffs, the World Trade Organization accession has become more political due to the negotiation issues subject to the domestic politics of the country and geopolitical considerations World Trade Organization Membership is regarded as a fundamental step towards Kazakhstan’s full integration into the international economy. As a hydrocarbon rich state, the government realized that by remaining outside the World Trade Organization, the country would lose economic opportunities to take benefits of global market. Kazakhstan’s involvement in the international trade through the World Trade Organization would commence a new wave of economic growth. Nineteen years later on, the Republic of Kazakhstan has become the full member of the World Trade Organization. In this article the complex and lengthy process of Kazakhstani accession to the World Trade Organization will be explored. Specifically, referring to Kazakhstan’s accession case, the essay will critically analyse some of the main issues of accession in terms of legal perspective view.
Keу words: General agreement trade and tariffs, World Trade Organization, accession negotiation, the Marrakesh agreement, multilateral trade agreement.