U.S. Chamber Commends President’s Commitment to Economic Development in the Middle East

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded President Obama’s commitment today to advancing the stability of the Middle East and North Africa by pledging economic development assistance for Egypt and Tunisia, promoting high standards of economic reform, trade liberalization, technology development, and entrepreneurship.

“It is important that the United States demonstrates both political and economic support for reform and the reformers,” said Lionel Johnson, vice president of Middle East Affairs at the Chamber. “Today’s announcement was an important first step in a long process that has the potential to ignite an even greater multilateral response to developments in the region.”

The president’s statements echo the Chamber’s belief that economic modernization in the region will help ensure prospects for the success of democratic reforms and the integration of its economies into the global trading system.

To that point, in recent weeks, the Chamber has expanded its efforts by hosting the finance ministers of both Egypt and Tunisia. Members of the U.S. business community were present to discuss ways to improve and expand on economic ties between the United States and Middle Eastern countries. The Chamber also recently led a delegation to Jordan that met with His Majesty King Abdullah II and key business leaders. Looking ahead to June, the Chamber will lead a business mission to Egypt with 20 U.S. companies and will lead another delegation of businesses to Iraq.

“The U.S. business community stands ready with our government to support those nations whose governments are both transparent and accountable to their people,” said Johnson. “These trusted government institutions, supported by their people, provide the only true environment in which private sector growth and job creation can take hold.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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