US tries to strengthen trade presence in North African region

The USA is trying to boost its commercial presence in the North African region and increase the number of its projects in the Middle East, as the US sent economic delegations to the capitals of the region.

US Undersecretary of the Trade Department Judith Barnett headed a delegation comprising representatives of 8 major US companies including General Electric and Westinghouse. The delegation visited Morocco and Tunisia last September in order to boost trade between the US and these two countries.

The companies' representatives said that they are interested in reaching agreements with companies in those countries and in setting up joint projects. As a result of this visit, the US company R. J. Reynolds International stated setting up a cigarette manufacturing factory in the Tunisian city of Al Qairawan at a cost of $9 million.

There are 106 US projects in the Middle East and the North African region under the supervision of the US Trade Promotion Center. The center comprises a number of representatives from US departments and governmental agencies. Those projects are expected to return proceeds of $30 billion to the US companies.