Industry and Commerce Minister Vladimir Shkolnik told a press conference in Astana on 10 February that Kazakhstan could join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. He said, \"If we finish the negotiating process this year and defend all our positions, then 2007 is a realistic date.\" Shkolnik noted that Kazakhstan is coordinating its WTO accession efforts with Russia. Shkolnik also stated that WTO accession will put an end to bans on fuel exports, a practice currently used to stabilize domestic prices. He said that export bans could be replaced by direct state subsidies for agricultural producers, whose business is heavily dependent on fuel prices. (Interfax)