WASHINGTON: The United States yesterday said that it has signed a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to explore ways to boost trade and investment with the oil-rich region.
The GCC also includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Total two-way trade between the United States and the GCC totalled almost $100bn last year, with the US running about a $24bn trade deficit.
“This important trade and investment agreement will help to grow and strengthen our economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which is a key strategic US partner in the Middle East and North Africa region,” US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a statement.
US goods exports to the GCC totaled nearly $38bn in 2011, led by vehicles, machinery, aircraft, electricalmachinery, and optical and medical instruments.
The United States imported nearly $62bn of oil, aluminum, fertilizers, organic chemicals and other goods from the region last year. US foreign direct investment in GCC countries was $23.5bn in 2010, USTR said.
The United States already has free trade agreements with Oman and Bahrain and individual trade and investment framework agreements with the four other GCC members.
Reuters
