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Why Egypt is moving forward on free trade

Experts consider Egypt's recent actions supporting the Agadir Agreement significant, as Egypt has the largest market among the free-trade agreement's member countries, which will enjoy greater trade and investment opportunities with the help of Egyptian labor and investment opportunities.
Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Kabil attends an agreement signing ceremony with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the El-Thadiya presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt October 5, 2016. Picture taken October 5, 2016.  REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RTX2Q7VA
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CAIRO — Work is underway to revive the Agadir Agreement on free trade, which has struggled to produce significant results for its members in recent years.

The original pact members — Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco — also welcomed Lebanon and Palestine to the group in April 2016. The agreement is designed to expedite trade among the members and improve their connections with European markets. Other Arab League countries also are welcome to join.

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