Canada-Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act Receives Royal Assent

Harper government’s pro-trade plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity is getting results for Canadian workers and businesses, says International Trade Minister Ed Fast

June 29, 2012 - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that the Canada-Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act has received Royal Assent.

“Our government is focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for hard-working Canadians and their families,” said Minister Fast. “That is why I am pleased to announce today that our trade agreement with Jordan is now law in Canada. This agreement is a key part of the government’s job-creating, pro-trade plan to protect and strengthen the prosperity of workers and businesses in every region of Canada.”

Once implemented, the Canada-Jordan trade agreement will immediately eliminate tariffs on the vast majority of Canadian exports to Jordan and will expand opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses in a variety of sectors, including forest products, machinery, construction equipment, and agriculture and agri-food products.

“The Royal Assent of legislation to implement the Canada-Jordan free trade agreement is good news for Canadian firms and their workers doing business in Jordan and throughout the Arab peninsula,” said J. Hugh O’Donnell, Chairman of the Canadian-Arab Business Council. “In fact, once in force, this agreement will expand opportunities for Canadian businesses in key sectors, and that means more jobs and greater prosperity for Canadians.”

The Canada-Jordan free trade agreement, Canada’s first with an Arab country, was signed in June 2009. The Canada-Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act was tabled by Minister Fast in November 2011. That same year, trade between Canada and Jordan totalled almost $89 million, with Canadian merchandise exports to Jordan reaching $70 million, more than double the $31 million in 2003.

“This trade agreement with Jordan will provide Canadian businesses and their workers with greater access to markets in Jordan and throughout the broader Middle East and North Africa,” said Minister Fast. “Businesses that expand and succeed abroad create jobs and prosperity for workers and their families here at home.”

In less than six years, the Harper government has concluded free trade agreements with nine countries: Colombia, Honduras, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Canada has also begun deepening trade and investment ties with the largest, most dynamic and fastest-growing markets in the world, including Brazil, China, the countries of the European Union, India and Japan.

For more information, please visit Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
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