Russia may join WTO this year, Economy Minister says
Economy Minister German Gref hopes that Russia will join the World Trade Organization (WTO) before the year-end, he said at a celebration for the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, RBC reports. The minister pointed out that this would be the perfect time and there was no room for leeway.
Gref also said that the impact of Russia's accession to the WTO would not be obvious straight after the ascension. He added that Russia would experience a complicated adaptation period during its first seven years in the organization. Gref expressed hope that Russia would create competitive conditions for all manufacturers of goods and services over that period.