Canada, Jordan mull free trade agreement
Dow Jones
July 13, 2007
Canada, Jordan Mull Free Trade Agreement
OTTAWA -(Dow Jones)- Canada and Jordan are exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement and could begin negotiations next year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Friday.
He was speaking at a joint news conference with King Abdullah of Jordan who is on a two-day visit to Canada.
Harper said the two countries have concluded a foreign investment protection and promotion agreement and an air transport pact.
"We’ll also be commencing a study into the feasibility of a free trade agreement with a view to beginning negotiations next year," he said.
Jordan has presented Canada with a draft proposal, he said. "I would hope that our officials would look very quickly at the proposals that are on the table and I would hope decide positively that we can enter into negotiations to pursue a free trade agreement."
He said two-way trade between Canada and Jordan remains quite small and there is "significant opportunity to increase that".
Harper said Jordan’s free trade pact with the U.S. has delivered " considerable" bilateral benefit.
