Joint statement of USTR and Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry
USTR | 27 May 2009
Joint Statement of U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Rachid Mohammed Rachid
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Egyptian
Minister of Trade and Industry Rachid Mohammed Rachid met to discuss ways to expand U.S.-
Egyptian economic ties. Ambassador Kirk and Minister Rachid also signed a Plan for a Strategic
Partnership, which aims to further promote economic cooperation between United States and
Egypt. They issued the following statement at the conclusion of their meeting :
“Today’s meeting demonstrates the continuing close friendship and collaboration that
characterizes the relations between our countries. It is our firm belief that greater
economic cooperation between us will benefit both sides by supporting sound government
policies that create jobs, boost investment, and build sustainable development.
Strengthened cooperation in the economic sphere is particularly important during this
difficult time for the global economy. It will also help to sustain Egypt’s important recent
economic reform efforts.
“Today we signed the United States - Egypt Plan for a Strategic Partnership, which
instructs our senior officials to develop a framework over the next 90 days for cooperation
in a number of trade and investment areas. We also welcome and strongly encourage
private sector involvement in our discussions, recognizing that our efforts should be
focused on practical solutions that effectively address the challenges our businesses face.
“In the months ahead, we have dedicated ourselves to pursuing a program of intensified
U.S.-Egyptian cooperation on economic, trade, and investment issues. We are convinced
that these efforts will serve as a welcome complement to the already strong cooperation our
countries share on political and security matters.
“Additionally, we would like to take this opportunity to recognize the designation earlier
this year, in cooperation with Israel, of two additional Qualifying Industrial Zones in
Upper Egypt. The expansion of the QIZ program in Egypt to the new zones of Beni Suief
and Al Minya is another indication of our desire to strengthen U.S. trade relations with the
region.”
