Archive for June, 2009

Ambassador Shaun Donnelly, who currently serves as Sr. Director of International Business Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), told TradeFlow21 – Middle East Trade Summit participants (April 24) that he acknowledges there are challenges for businesses amidst the current economic backdrop, but he said he believes there are “even more opportunities.” Heed the Ambassador’s word since NAM’s membership exceeds 13,000. Furthermore, he stated, “It’s hard to have a strategy if you don’t have an export strategy,” citing the fact that approximately 95% of the world’s consumers reside outside the U.S. TradeFlow21 is cognizant of this, and thus is presently focused exclusively on the Middle East given the region’s many attractive growth characteristics, in addition to the prospect of realizing security through commercial prosperity. So without further ado, let’s review the “12 Rules for Exporting to the Middle East.” Read the rest of this entry »

In a commentary posted on the TradeFlow21 website in advance of President Obama’s speech, we wrote that necessity:

1)      demands the cessation of hostilities between Israel and its neighbors, including the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state as the only viable means of resolving the Palestinian question

2)      requires a U.S. policy that summarily rejects those in all quarters who use division and discord as a means of maintaining their “competitive advantage” in the region

3)      dictates that economic development, through investment and trade, be embraced as the preferred path to establishing a more stable, secure world for all

In his long-awaited speech on American-Muslim relations today in Cairo, President Obama responded, arguing that

1)      “America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and a state of their own”

2)      “as long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace…conflict rather than cooperation…this cycle of suspicion and discord must end”

3)      “on economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries…I will host a summit on entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world”

Thank you, Mr. President.  The partners of TradeFlow21 will join you in the cause to build a prosperous, secure Middle East through commerce and trade.  Let us now begin our work.

When President Barack Obama delivers his address tomorrow in Cairo to the wider Muslim world, he will do so at great political risk to himself and his administration.  But it is a risk that demonstrates the political courage of a first-term president who acts out of necessity, and not expediency.

Necessity demands the cessation of hostilities between Israel and its neighbors, including the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state as the only viable means of resolving the Palestinian question.

Necessity now requires a U.S. policy that summarily rejects those in all quarters who use division and discord as a means of maintaining their “competitive advantage” in the region.

Necessity dictates that economic development, through investment and trade, be embraced as the preferred path to establishing a more stable, secure world for all.

For over 60 years, the Middle East, which is comprised of over 20 nations spanning Northern Africa in the west to Southern Asia in the east, has been defined by conflict and oil. This is a new era. Real GDP non-oil growth in the region, which is projected to expand by more than 3.5 percent this year, suggests that Middle Eastern nations are actively pursuing commercial diversification as they seek to become full partners and competitors in the global economy. It also presents tremendous export opportunities for companies who want access to an emerging market of 500 million consumers.

The world is waiting for President Obama to signal a new turn in U.S. – Middle East relations where strategic alliances are built principally on commerce and trade. The partners of TradeFlow21 welcome such a change as both vital and necessary.