In a live radio address over the weekend President Viktor Yushchenko urged Ukrainians to support the country’s bid to join the WTO, and explained what benefits membership would bring. In particular, the President said membership would increase Ukraine’s competitiveness on the world market, guarantee GDP growth of 1.9% and bring USD 500 mln in investment profits to the country annually. In addition, Yushchenko asked the Rada to set aside all other business and open debates on the remaining legislation which needs to be put in line with WTO legislation. Concorde Capital: Yushchenko’s “join in December or die trying” approach seems to be making some headway. The main laws which still need to be reviewed include: the law on consumer rights (registration number 8207), several laws concerning customs procedures (8223), a law on export duties for waste and scrap ferrous metal (8316), a law on export duties for live stock and leather raw materials (8317), a law concerning plant quarantine (8348), several banking activity laws (7274), and a law banning the export of scrap alloyed ferrous metal, scrap non-ferrous metal and semi-finished products containing these metals (7565).