Middle East Economic Survey

VOL. XLVIII

No 38

19-September-2005

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia Seals US Trade Deal, Steps Closer To WTO

Saudi Arabia on 9 September sealed a trade agreement with the US, moving a step closer to its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) scheduled for this December. The deal followed five months of negotiations between the two countries which enjoy two-way trade of some $26bn/year, and was seen by many observers as the main obstacle to the kingdoms WTO accession....