91. Currently, the UAE is involved in a vast programme of trade liberalization at the regional level. The UAE policy is not the only example of such trends. A growing number of economies are also seeking to liberalize their trade swiftly and on the basis of sound disciplines, even in services and investment. In doing so, their preferred instrument has been agreements concluded outside the WTO, the reason being that negotiations in the WTO are slow and their ambition is not always set as high as the level that can be achieved in bilateral agreements. The UAE, nevertheless, believes that it is essential to strengthen the current system within the framework of the principles and rules of international trade.