Catherwood LibraryILR School

The United States, Israel and Jordan signed a joint trade deal in 1996 establishing Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs) that allowed Jordanian factories to export goods, made with some Israeli materials, to the U.S. duty free. One of the results has been an industrial revolution that has thousands of Jordanian women leaving behind their traditional family roles to find work in garment factories, thus supporting their families and raising the standard of living. This week, Egypt signed a similar agreement with the U.S. and Israel establishing a QIZ there which Egypt is interpreting as a first step toward a free trade agreement with America. Both deals are part of an effort to establish peace in the area by building economic ties.