Author:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The U.S.-Oman free trade agreement advances America's strategic and economic objectives.

Author:
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ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In aiming to fight terrorism with trade, the United States negotiated and the President signed on January 19, 2006, the U.S.'s fifth bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in the proposed 20-entity Middle-East-Free Trade Area (MEFTA). This FTA is with Oman. Other U.S.-FTAs are with Israel, Jordan, Morocco, and Bahrain. A sixth is being negotiated with the United Arab Emirates. Oman is a small oilexporting U.S. trade partner that has been supportive of U.S. policies in the Middle East and is strategically located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Because its oil reserves could be exhausted within 15-20 years, Oman is trying to liberalize and diversify its trade regime beyond oil and gas to provide economic opportunities for its fast growing workforce. Supporters of the agreement typically cite political and economic reasons. Opponents typically point to labor and human rights issues. The FTA with Oman is similar to other MEFTA FTAs and has three basic parts: new tariff schedules, broad commitments to open markets and provisions to support those commitments, and protections for labor and the environment. It provides immediate duty-free access for almost all consumer and industrial goods, with special provisions for agriculture and textiles and apparel. Among all U.S. trade partners, Oman ranks 88th for the United States, while the United States ranks third for Oman (after the United Arab Emirates and Japan). U.S.-Oman trade at about $1 billion for 2005 represents 0.04% (four-one hundredths of one percent) of total U.S. trade. In 2005, the most important U.S. imports from Oman were oil and natural gas (75%), and apparel (10%). The most important U.S. exports to Oman were transport equipment (56%), and machinery (24%). The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) predicts that the economic effect of the U.S.-Oman FTA is likely to be minimal since trade levels are low; and any increase in U.S. imports of apparel would come at the expense of workers elsewhere in the world, not in the United States. Total U.S. foreign direct investment in Oman was $358 million in 2003, up from $193 million in 2002. Supporters argue that the U.S.-Oman FTA will contribute to bilateral economic growth and trade, generate export opportunities for U.S. companies, farmers, and ranchers, and help create jobs in both countries. Critics argue that labor protections are inadequate for Omani workers, and that the FTA will not help level the playing field for Omani and U.S. workers. Critics also argue that a provision in Annex II of the FTA could obligate the United States to open up landside aspects of its port activities to operation by companies doing business in Oman -- activities about which Congress expressed national security concerns during the Dubai Ports World debate. After the President submitted the agreement and the implementing legislation to Congress, relevant committees had 45 days to consider (or not consider) it, and either chamber had 15 more days to vote the legislation up or down without amendment to the agreement itself or the legislation. The Senate passed implementing legislation on June 29, 2006 (S. 3569); the House passed it (H.R. 5684) on July 20; the Senate re-passed it under the House number on September 19, and it became P.L. 109-283 on September 26, 2006. This report will be updated as events warrant.

Author: Robert Z. Lawrence
Publisher: Peterson Institute
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
Would a free trade agreement (FTA) between the nations of the Middle East and the United States be beneficial to both sides? Robert Lawrence provides an analysis that incorporates both economic and political considerations. He documents the scope for enhancing the trade linkages, domestic governance and regional trade of Arab countries. He evaluates the US strategy in negotiating bilateral agreements and reviews in considerable detail the specific agreements that have been negotiated so far and the challenges still to meet if a single overarching arrangement is to be implemented. Lawrence also compares the US approach with the parallel initiative being undertaken by the European Union.

Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance. Subcommittee on International Trade
Publisher:
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Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Free trade
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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Book Description

Author: Michael G. Plummer
Publisher: Asian Development Bank
ISBN: 9290921978
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
This publication displays the menu for choice of available methods to evaluate the impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). It caters mainly to policy makers from developing countries and aims to equip them with some economic knowledge and techniques that will enable them to conduct their own economic evaluation studies on existing or future FTAs, or to critically re-examine the results of impact assessment studies conducted by others, at the very least.

Author: Asian Development Bank. Office of Regional Economic Integration
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Asia
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Free trade
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means
Publisher:
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Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description

Author: Gilad James, PhD
Publisher: Gilad James Mystery School
ISBN: 0982995679
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 76

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Book Description
Oman is a country located in the Middle East, on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a small country, with a population of around 5 million people. Oman has a rich history and culture, with evidence of human settlement dating back to 10,000 BC. Its strategic location made Oman an important center for trade and commerce in the ancient world, with its ports serving as crucial stopovers for traders traveling between Asia, Africa and Europe. Today, Oman is a modern and prosperous country, with a thriving economy based largely on oil production, tourism and commerce. It is known for its stunning landscapes, including rugged mountains, golden deserts, and picturesque coastlines, as well as its diverse and hospitable people. Despite its modernization and progress, Oman remains deeply rooted in its traditions and history, making it a unique and fascinating destination for travelers and scholars alike.