The United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into effect on January 1, 2009, extends the principles of existing FTAs to encourage economic reform and openness. The comprehensive agreement’s fulfillment of obligations will create new export opportunities for U.S. providers of goods and services, reinforce Oman’s trade and investment liberalization, and enhance the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The inaugural meeting of the FTA Joint Committee (JC), jointly chaired by the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office and Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, occurred in February 2010. High-level officials from both governments deliberated on a wide spectrum of trade-related matters, encompassing the execution of Oman’s commitments under the labor and environmental chapters and collaborative initiatives in those domains.
To further shared objectives outlined in the Labor Chapter of the FTA, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) led a delegation to Oman in October 2009 to engage in discussions on labor issues. During the visit, U.S. government representatives from the USTR, the Departments of Labor and State held meetings with Oman’s Ministry of Manpower, labor and business groups, and other government officials. The mission proved successful in advancing dialogue on crucial labor matters, with U.S. officials encouraging Oman to continue implementing labor reforms that were addressed during the FTA negotiation and implementation phases.
As part of ongoing labor cooperation and capacity-building efforts, the U.S. Department of Labor is funding a project managed by the International Labor Organization aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of labor inspections conducted by Oman’s Ministry of Manpower. In the coming year, the two governments will arrange discussions between their respective experts on labor and environmental matters to ensure effective monitoring of implementation and compliance with FTA obligations. These discussions will also facilitate cooperative endeavors designed to ensure that trade and environmental objectives align and remain sustainable.