19/05/2003
Al-Alam Alyom Newspaper 2003/MAY /19
Senior economists and experts agree that the GAFTA should be given priority over the Free Trade Area with the US for several reasons. They also agree that the two zones would complement and not replace each other, and recognize the economic importance of joining the US Free Trade. ( Available in Arabic – German in PDF )
According to senior economists, the GAFTA should be given priority over the US Free Trade Area for several reasons, not only because the latter is older. Indeed, some people see Arab integration as more urgent. They all agree, though, that Egypt would hugely benefit from joining the US Zone, given, among other reasons, the facilitations to export its own products and expand its trade relations. They also agree that these two areas would complement each other, without forgetting the partnership between Egypt and the EU.