Geneva, April 28 (IANS): The World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Monday welcomed Seychelles as its 161st member, ending 20 years of negotiating its accession terms.

"I am delighted to welcome the Republic of Seychelles as the 161st member of the WTO," said WTO director general Roberto Azevedo, Xinhua reported.

"This is great news for Seychelles' economy and, therefore, for the people of Seychelles. It is also a boost for the WTO and a vote of confidence in the Organization, as we redouble our efforts to complete the Doha Round of negotiations," Azevedo added.

Seychelles on Sunday officially became a WTO member after the 30-day countdown to its WTO membership was activated on March 27.

On March 25, President of Seychelles James Michel signed the "instrument of acceptance" of Seychelles' accession protocol, confirming its membership terms, at a plenary meeting of the cabinet of ministers in Victoria, Seychelles.

"This is a major step forward in the trade integration of Seychelles into the rules-based multilateral trading system and the global economy," said Seychelles Minister of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy Jean Paul Adam.