As a professional, I was asked to write an article about “qiz agreement jordan.” For those who may not be familiar with it, QIZ stands for Qualified Industrial Zones. The QIZ agreement between the United States and Jordan is one of the most important trade agreements in the Middle East.
In 1996, the United States Congress passed the QIZ legislation in order to support peace and stability in the Middle East. The QIZ agreement allows eligible products manufactured in Jordan to enter the United States duty-free, as long as a certain percentage of the product`s value is made up of Israeli inputs. This requirement encourages economic cooperation between Jordan and Israel, which ultimately fosters regional stability and prosperity.
The QIZ agreement has had a significant impact on Jordan`s economy. The country has seen a boost in exports to the United States, with QIZ exports accounting for over $1 billion in trade annually. The agreement has also spurred the growth of the textile and apparel industry in Jordan, which employs a large portion of the country`s workforce.
However, the QIZ agreement has faced challenges. In 2018, the United States announced that it would suspend the QIZ agreement with Jordan unless the country took steps to address labor issues. Specifically, the United States called for improvements in worker rights and working conditions in Jordan`s garment factories. Since then, Jordan has made strides to address these concerns, including increasing the minimum wage for garment workers.
Overall, the QIZ agreement between the United States and Jordan has been a crucial part of promoting economic growth and stability in the Middle East. While there have been challenges along the way, the agreement has demonstrated the potential for economic cooperation to foster peace and security in the region.