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GENEVA, Dec 11 (AFP): Saudi Arabia formally joined the World Trade Organisation today, bringing the global body's membership to 149 just two days before a key summit in Hong Kong.
The Middle East kingdom was admitted to the WTO by its then-148 member governments in November 11, capping more than a decade of negotiations, and the move came into force one month later.
WTO head Pascal Lamy has hailed the acceptance of another heavyweight of world trade into the organisation, which sets the rules for global commerce.
After missing its target of joining the WTO last year, Saudi Arabia set its sights on membership in time for the WTO ministerial conference, which is due to begin in Hong Kong Tuesday.
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