U.S. Chamber Applauds U.S.-U.A.E. Civil Nuclear Agreement

Congress Must Seize Opportunity to Enhance Security, Create Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded today's signing of the U.S.-U.A.E. civilian nuclear cooperation agreement and urged Congress and the new Administration to quickly support this opportunity to strengthen U.S. security, create jobs, and increase trade.

"This agreement creates an important model for the anticipated global renaissance in nuclear energy," said Danny Sebright, president of the Chamber's U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council. "Not only does it meet the highest standards of safety, security, nonproliferation, and operational transparency, but it also creates a significant number of jobs for American companies."

Unique among countries in the region, the U.A.E. is renouncing uranium enrichment and reprocessing, and has gone the extra step in committing to sign an additional protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.). The country is also committing to all major international nonproliferation standards.

The agreement is an opportunity to strengthen America's trade relations in the region. Already, the U.A.E. is the largest export market for American goods in the Arab world. There are over 750 U.S. companies and 30,000 Americans working in the country.

"Congress must seize on this opportunity to create jobs for Americans," Sebright said. "A delay on Capitol Hill, while other countries in Europe and Asia move forward on agreements with the U.A.E., will lock out American companies and workers."

More information on the agreement is at: www.usuaebusiness.org/

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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