U.S. Department of State
1995 Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit
Office of the Coordinator for Business Affairs




                 1995 Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit
                                  Amman, Jordan


	The 1995 Amman Economic Summit will serve the goals of the Middle 
East Peace Process by building upon the achievements made at the 
successful 1994 Casablanca Summit.  Casablanca initiated a process 
central to international efforts to encourage regional economic 
cooperation and development in the Middle East.  Tangible economic 
benefits, for both the private sector and the general public, are 
necessary to demonstrate that "peace pays".

	The Amman Summit will be a smaller event and more focused on key 
sectors than was Casablanca.  As organized by the World Economic Forum, 
the Summit plenary sessions will cover four major themes:  trade and 
industry, infrastructure, investment and finance, and the economic 
environment.  The Summit program will include project briefings, 
workshops, and roundtables which will provide an informal and productive 
atmosphere for business people and government decision makers to 
exchange experiences and pursue specific business opportunities.

	The Summit will focus in part on large regional projects and 
investments, while at the same time encouraging small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SMEs) to serve as catalysts for economic growth.  A 
thematic session will be devoted to the role of SMEs in promoting growth 
and employment opportunities in the region, with emphasis on incentives 
and financing mechanisms available to SMEs.

	The Summit program will further include industry workshops on 
specific areas such as financial services, engineering and construction, 
tourism, water, agriculture, energy, textiles, telecommunications, and 
transportation.  These workshops will allow participants to interact 
with both government and private sector representatives.

	Project presentations geared towards the private sector will be 
given by government officials, regional and international development 
agencies, and chambers of industry and commerce.  The presentations will 
include both regional and national projects in various sectors.

	In support of this private sector focus, a series of private-
public institutions, called for at Casablanca, will be inaugurated at 
the Summit.  These include a Middle East regional financial institution, 
a regional business council, and a regional tourism association.

	The thrust of the 1995 Amman Economic Summit is "private-public 
partnership".  The private sector is an essential factor in the long-run 
economic development of the region; and the Summit plays a vital role in 
international efforts to improve the the investment and business climate 
of the region as well as to develop mechanisms for regional cooperation 
and growth.  Private investment is the key to providing capital, jobs, 
and technology to the Middle East.

	The United States strongly supports the goals of the Amman 
Economic Summit.  As co-sponsor, along with the Russian Federation, the 
United States will be represented by a high-level interagency delegation 
headed by Secretary of State Christopher.  Secretary of Commerce Brown, 
and senior figures from other key economic-oriented departments and 
agencies, will also participate.

	Despite its wealth of natural resources, a well-educated 
population of over 100 million, a rich history and culture, and its 
strategic location, the Middle East/North Africa region has not yet met 
its economic and market potential.  Uncertainties generated by war and 
regional rivalries, as well as by statist and protectionist economic 
policies, have contributed to this problem.

	A political settlement in the Middle East is not sufficient to 
ensure lasting peace in the region.  Creation of a stable economic 
foundation is also vital.  But this can only occur with the direct 
involvement of the private sector.  The Amman Economic Summit will 
provide the ideal venue for achieving such a synthesis.

	Information regarding the 1995 Middle East/North Africa Economic 
Summit may be obtained by contacting the following:

World Economic Forum; Geneva, Switzerland
telephone (41 22) 736 02 43
fax (41 22) 786 27 44.

U.S. Department of State
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs
Toni Verstandig
telephone (202) 647 7170
fax (202) 736 4462.

U.S. Department of Commerce
Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary
Judith Barnett
telephone (202) 482 8024
fax (202) 482 5933.

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