DUSHANBE, July 11, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan and the Dominican Republic have signed a protocol supporting Tajikistan’s admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the document was signed by Ambassador Salohiddin Nasriddinov, Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations based in Geneva, and Ambassador Luis Manuel Piantini Munnigh, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to WTO and other International Economic Organizations based in Geneva, in Geneva on July 10.

We will recall that the Working Party on the accession of Tajikistan to the World Trade Organization was established by the General Council on July 18, 2001.  Multilateral work is proceeding on the basis of revised Elements of a draft Working Party Report.  Bilateral market access negotiations are underway on the basis of revised offers in goods and services.

The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region.  It has the second largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American region.  Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services.  The Dominican Republic has become the Caribbean''s largest tourist destination; the country''s year-round golf courses are among the top attractions.  The Dominican Republic has been a member of WTO since March 9, 1995.