U.S. ambassadors meet to promote trade in Mideast

U.S. ambassadors to Mideast countries joined 250 business leaders at a meeting in Los Angeles on Tuesday to probe trade opportunities in the Middle East.

The ambassadors from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) spoke on the benefits of doing business with their respective countries and the misconceptions that exist about the region's economies.

"Given the growing need to shift the international dialogue from foreign policy to civil society, it has never been more important for the U.S. business community to engage the Middle East through corporate diplomacy programs for individual growth and development," said Keith Reinhard, president of Business for Diplomatic Action.

"In addition to the real benefits for young people in the Arab world, the positive implications of such actions for our economic and national security are obvious."

Businesses have an opportunity to capitalize on the interest young adults have in American schools and businesses, Reinhard said.

"According to young people in the region, the U.S. remains the preferred destination for education and professional development, and U.S. companies are seen as most likely to be helpful -- all of which suggests significant opportunities for U.S. businesses to build ties with Arab youth in the region," he said.

Michele Sison, ambassador to the UAE, said the growing commercial ties with the UAE should be leveraged to "encourage massive corporate diplomacy in a region that has significant strategic and economic importance to our country."

The UAE ranks as the largest export market for the United States for the Middle East/Africa region.

There has never been a more critical time for the business community to engage with the Middle East, said Michael Ducker, president of FedEx Express International.

"It is up to each of us, whether we are in the public or private sector, to facilitate trade so that more countries and people can participate in the growing global prosperity," Ducker said.

The conference was sponsored by the Southern California District Export Council, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Department of Commerce.

Source: Xinhua