The legal implications of Sudan's accession to the World Trade Organization

Sudan is one of the countries that is currently in the process of negotiating its accession to the World Trade Organization. This article gives an overview of the legal implications of WTO accession for Sudan, detailing the expected changes and their implementation costs in terms of institutional and legal reform. While not exhaustive, it discusses some of the agreements that may pose particular implementation challenges, and suggests that Sudan should forge links with least developed countries (LDCs) and other WTO members and seek support during the negotiations. The successful conclusion of negotiations and the accession of Nepal and Cambodia, both LDCs, at the fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in September 2003 should provide a positive impetus and lessons for others such as Sudan that are in the process of accession.