Ukraine’s long and winding road to WTO accession appeared to finally come an end on February 5, 2008, when the World Trade Organization General Council approved Ukraine’s accession package. Ukraine began its march towards accession in 1993, and for 10 long years plodded through bilateral negotiations, legislative changes, commitments, and reports. USAID took an active role in 2003 by assisting the Ukrainian Government conform to numerous complicated WTO agreements and requirements. At the same time, USAID began to enhance its assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises to prepare them to compete as equal members of the global economy. Many of the benefits of this assistance will be felt long after Ukraine becomes a formal WTO member, which will occur 30 days after its parliament ratifies the agreement. Over the past four years, Ukraine pursued intense legal, institutional and regulatory reforms in order to realize its long quest to accede to the WTO and fully integrate into the world economy. USAID supported the accession process over many years by building technical capacity to implement WTO-related reforms and negotiate accession. USAID assisted in bringing together public and private sector stakeholders to implement the most challenging reforms, particularly in the areas of food safety and standardization. As a result, Ukraine’s foreign trade regime was brought into full conformity with the WTO agreements. Over 100 laws and other legal acts were amended or adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, many with an overwhelming majority of votes. Other areas of reform included intellectual property, customs, trade and agricultural policy, animal and plant health, and many services, such as banking, insurance, audiovisuals and telecommunications, and professional services (e.g., accounting). Policies were also adjusted in a number of sectors, including automobile production, alcohol and tobacco, metallurgy, and sugar. Ukraine concluded over 50 bilateral protocols with trading partners, leading to commercially significant market access. Most recently, USAID provided advice and recommendations to improve the government procurement regime so that it complies with the WTO Government Procurement Agreement, to which Ukraine has voluntarily committed. Government procurement is one most challenging areas for Ukraine as it completes its global integration. Membership in the WTO GPA will permit Ukrainian businesses to bid on government procurements in GPA Member states and further expand export of goods and services. Implementation of WTO commitments will decrease the cost of doing business and help establish an efficient and competitive economy that attracts foreign investment and creates jobs. According to Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko, WTO accession will increase foreign investment by 40% per year. GDP is also predicted to increase by 1.7%, driven in part by a 10% increase in exports. However, Ukraine’s public and private sectors must rally to seize new opportunities and overcome roadblocks. While certain industries will benefit immediately from accession (large employers in the metallurgy and chemical sector), others, like agriculture, will have to react rapidly to remain competitive at home and abroad. USAID remains committed to helping its partners in Ukraine compete effectively in the global economy in order to create more jobs and improve the lives of Ukrainians.