Canada, Jordan Sign Free Trade Agreement

Canada has signed a free trade agreement with Jordan, Canadian Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day said. The agreement is the first free trade deal between Canada and an Arab nation. "Following the visit by King Abdullah II to Canada in July 2007, our countries have made significant progress in strengthening trade and investment," Day said. Three other agreements were also signed. Two of the deals promote greater cooperation between the two countries on employment and environmental issues and the third promotes and protects foreign investment. "Our efforts have led to the signature of four agreements that will help open doors for Canadian and Jordanian business," the minister said. The accords are intended to increase trade and investment between the two countries. In 2008, trade between Canada and Jordan was worth $87 million. The free-trade agreement will be ratified by each country's parliament later this year. Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009