Canada, Jordan start free trade talks
2/20/2008
Canada, Jordan start free trade talks
FBC staff
Canada and Jordan on Wednesday officially launched negotiations toward a free trade agreement (FTA) that could boost ag trade between the two countries.
A first full round of negotiations between the two nations is planned for April in Amman, Jordan, the federal government said in a release Wednesday.
"Negotiations will cover a wide range of issues, including trade in goods, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade facilitation, monopolies and state enterprises, dispute settlement and institutional provisions," the release said.
Canadian exports to Jordan nearly doubled between 2000 and 2004 to $42.2 million and reached $60.4 million in 2007, the government said. Top exports to Jordan included forest products, agriculture and agri-food products, and machinery and equipment.
Imports from Jordan have also increased, from $3.9 million in 2001 to $16 million in 2007, mainly in apparel and ag products, the government said.
"An FTA with Jordan would improve our trade and economic ties, and better position Canadian business vis-à-vis competitors, such as the United States and European Union, which already have FTAs with Jordan," the government wrote.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Jordan’s King Abdullah announced in July last year that the two countries would study the feasibility of an FTA, followed by consultations here in Canada in October and November.
Canada has FTAs with the U.S. and Mexico through NAFTA, as well as with Chile, Israel and Costa Rica. It recently concluded FTA negotiations with Peru and signed an agreement with the European Free Trade Association countries of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
