WTO director-general visits Ivory Coast

Roberto Azevêdo, director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), made a stop in Ivory Coast on Tuesday as part of his West African visit.

Azevêdo was able to meet Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara as well as Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan and Minister of Trade Jean-Louis Billon.

“[Ivory Coast] has been working hard to boost growth and development through a series of reforms, including by improving infrastructure and facilitating trade," Azevêdo said. "This is already bringing results and creating a more business-friendly environment in the country — but of course there is still work to be done. The WTO can help Côte d’Ivoire in this effort."

Azevêdo encouraged Ivory Coast's officials to use the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement as a guide in order to improve trade flow and boost the nation's economy.

“Côte d’Ivoire has shown real leadership on this front. It was one of the first African countries to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement and is now laying the foundations to make the benefits of the agreement a reality," Azevêdo said.