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Middle East Free Trade Area Initiative

Middle East Free Trade Initiative

U.S. Regional Plan to Spur Economic Growth

“Leaders in the region speak of a new Arab charter that champions internal reform, greater political participation, economic openness, and free trade.”

President George W. Bush,

American Enterprise Institute,

February 27, 2003



In May 2003, the President proposed a plan of graduated steps for Middle Eastern nations to increase trade and investment with the United States and others in the world economy. The first step is to work closely with peaceful nations that want to become members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in order to expedite their accession. As these countries implement domestic reform agendas, institute the rule of law, protect property rights (including intellectual property), and create a foundation for openness and economic growth, the United States will take a series of graduated steps with countries in the region tailored to their level of development. The U.S. will expand and deepen economic ties through Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs), Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), and comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and will enhance the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program for eligible countries.


Active Support for WTO Accession


Working on accession to the World Trade Organization with:

· Lebanon

· Algeria

· Yemen


Robust Trade and Investment Framework Action Plans

TIFAs promote the establishment of legal protections for investors, improvements in intellectual property protection, more transparent and efficient customs procedures, and greater transparency in government and commercial regulations. TIFAs in place:

· Algeria

· Egypt

· Iraq

· Kuwait

· Qatar

· Saudi Arabia

· Tunisia

· Yemen

Free Trade Agreements

· U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (in force)

· U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (in force)

· U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (in force)

· U.S.-Bahrain FTA: signed September 2004, entry into force in 2006

· U.S.-Oman FTA: negotiations concluded September 2005

· U.S.-UAE FTA: launched negotiations March 2005

 
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Trade Agreements
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Selection U.S. – Middle East Free Trade Efforts
Selection 05/31/2005 | UAE FTA Interim Environmental Review
Selection 04/20/2005 | Oman FTA Interim Environmental Review
Selection Morocco FTA
Selection Jordan FTA
Selection Israel FTA
Selection TIFA Agreements
Selection Press Releases
Selection Fact Sheets
Selection Speeches
Selection Op-Eds
 




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