H.E. Dr. Marwan Muasher
Ambassador of Jordan to the U.S. & Mexico
Qualified
Industrial Zone Designation Ceremony
Washington, D.C.
March 6, 1998
Ambassador Barshefsky,
Ambassador Ben Elissar,
Distinguished Guests,
It is my honor and privilege to represent the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan today at the signing ceremony of an agreement of great importance and significance. I would like to express the sincere gratitude of my Government for this achievement.
We are extremely grateful to the President whose proclamation a year and a half ago initiated the process of opening a great window of opportunity to Jordan, its economic well being, and to the building and sustaining of peace in the Middle East.
Our gratitude also goes to the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, and all the dedicated people who work with her. Their understanding and great patience were the major factors that allowed for this ceremony to take place today.
Our friends at both the Department of State and the Department of Commerce have given this matter their utmost attention. We especially appreciate the tireless efforts of Undersecretary Eisenstat, Deputy Assistant Secretary Toni Verstandig, Deputy Assistant Secretary Judith Barnett, the U.S. Ambassador in Jordan, Wesley Egan, and the Economic Counselor at the Embassy, Gary Grappo.
We also would like to thank our Israeli partners for the spirit shown throughout the process of negotiating the related bilateral agreement on the Qualifying Industrial Zone. We are especially grateful for the far sightedness of Trade Minister Sharansky whose dedication to solidifying Jordanian-Israeli relations is indeed remarkable.
Distinguished friends,
The agreement on the Qualifying Industrial Zones represents a major cornerstone in our relations with the United States and a step towards promoting regional economic cooperation. Access to U.S. markets is an important consideration for Jordanian manufacturers. The QIZ agreement which builds upon the General System of Preferences (GSP) which Jordan enjoys with the United States, and at the same time provides Jordanian and Israeli entrepreneurs with the proper incentive to establish joint ventures, based on business logic and considerations.
The agreement, which has been fully endorsed by my Government, provides a unique opportunity for cooperation among Jordanians, Palestinians and Israelis. The Government will do its utmost to encourage our private sector to take advantage of this opportunity.
Distinguished colleagues,
It is only fitting to be signing this agreement a few days before yet another meeting between His Majesty and the President. These regular consultations have enabled our bilateral relations to reach unprecedented levels of cooperation in the various fields. Our shared goals, most valuable of which is our joint commitment the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the region, underscore the strength of the relationship. Today marks yet another landmark, and provides an example of what peace is supposed to bring to the people of the Middle East in terms of new opportunities for achieving social and economic development in the region.
I thank you all once again not only for your support of Jordan, but also for the relentless effort to keep peace alive in our region, not only through diplomatic initiatives, but also through economic ones which provide job opportunities and a promise of a new tomorrow.
Thank you very much.