CAIRO: Due to recent reforms, developments, increasing population, and high oil rates, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has recently become a very promising platform for future investments. In the early 70s, many US companies were aware of this fact early and subsequently decided to penetrate this market, achieving substantial success. Throughout the last decade and due to global changes, the MENA region is becoming one of the most important strategic spots for the US administration. Countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain and Tunisia have strategic alliances with the USA, due to their important geographical locations, regional political power, stability, and the very promising opportunities they offer for investment; while Libya is moving forward in that aim. For these reasons, the US government is currently inviting American companies to seek the promising investment opportunities offered by such lucrative markets through organizing "Made in the USA exhibition in Cairo, Egypt from Jan. 17-19, 2008 at Cairo International Conference Center. The show aims to develop mutual trade relations between American companies and regional businessmen. Made in the USA will cover all the top US export sectors including agriculture and agribusiness, information and communications technology, environmental equipment and services, oil and gas machinery services, packaging, cosmetics, medical equipment, hotel and restaurant equipment, food processing, the petrochemical industry, educational training equipment, biotechnology laboratories, consumer goods as well as franchising. "This fair will present a wide array of products, technologies, and services, showcasing the best US businesses have to offer, said Carlos M. Gutierrez, US Secretary of Commerce. "The United States and Egypt enjoy a strong and friendly relationship based on shared interest in Middle East peace and stability, revitalizing the Egyptian economy through strengthening trade relations and promoting regional trade and security, added Secretary Gutierrez. "Egypt was particularly chosen for its political stability, cultural influence in the region, good investment opportunities, and large base of highly educated labor, said Amer M. Kayani, US regional senior commercial officer for Egypt, Lebanon and Libya. "Cooperation between Egypt and the USA has been developing since the mid-70s. Now the USA is Egypt's largest bilateral trade partner and the largest investor in Egypt. For instance, investments in the communications sector reach $5 billion and are expected to grow by 700 percent, added Kayani. The US embassy in Cairo appointed ACG-ITF, the leading organizers of international trade fairs in the MENA region to organize and launch the first Made in the USA show in Egypt. "Made in the USA 2008 will be the first officially certified US trade pavilion event in Egypt supported by the US Department of Commerce, US Commercial Services and the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, said Nora Ghozzi, business development manager, ACG-ITF. The show is planned to be organized annually, together with a massive regional promotional campaign with the aim of attracting traders and buyers from Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Tunisia.
