FM: Egypt backs WTO goals, principles

The Egyptian government pays great attention to advancing the developmental objectives of the World Trade Organization (WTO), by encouraging preferential treatment for developing countries in all WTO agreements, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty said.

This also involves developing technical support and capacity-building programs to support developing countries and ensure their effective engagement in international trade and global supply chains, Abdelatty added during a meeting with WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, held as part of the minister’s visit to Geneva on Monday.

Congratulating the organization chief on her appointment to a second term as Director-General of the WTO, Abdelatty underscored the government’s full support for the organization’s goals as well as the principles of a fair and multilateral rules-based trade system.

He also emphasized Cairo’s interest in trade as a key pillar of development.

During the meeting, Abdelatty also touched on Egypt’s relentless efforts to restore calm in the Middle East and prevent the region from plunging into an all-out war that could disrupt international trade and navigation.