12/01/2005
Al-Ahram Newspaper 2005/JANUARY /12
Al-Handasia Magazine 2005/MARCH /17
Dr. Nader Riad explains the benefits of the QIZ. This three-party agreement allows Egyptian exports to get duty-free access to the US market. And although Egyptian products have Israeli components as a result of this agreement, they only represent a small percentage of these products. The QIZ is Egypt’s gateway to foreign markets and trade. This requires that the Egyptian industry be ready to compete with its foreign counterparts. (Available in Arabic- German in PDF)
The main issue currently being discussed in Egypt’s economic arena is the QIZ. Dr. Nader Riad explains that, as a result of this three-party agreement, some Egyptian products have Israeli components. These components are minimal, yet they are necessary to let these products benefit from the QIZ. The positive effects of this protocol may be enormous. It will help Egyptian products get duty-free access to the US market and it is part of a series of international agreements. The areas included in the QIZ were chosen according to the regions with the highest export rate to the US. Egypt has been able to apply this system to seven industrial zones and not just two as asked by Washington. The Egyptian industry can accommodate with the QIZ, but only if it can be competitive with its international partners.