Russia joins WTO on August 23
President Vladimir Putin signed the bill approving accession to the World Trade Organization on Friday. The bill was passed by the State Duma on July 10 and ratified by the Federation Council on July 18.
Russia has therefore ratified the protocol on joining the Marrakesh agreement that was signed in Geneva on Dec. 16, 2011.
Russia will become a full WTO member from Aug. 23, a month after the signed document is delivered to WTO headquarters, Vesti.ru reported. From that date, Russia will have to lower a number of import taxes, including on new cars, that were raised during the 2009 crisis.
The Moscow News
