中東地域의 自由貿易協定(FTA)에 대한 硏究

A Study on the FTA in the Middle Eastern Region

&nbsp;&nbsp;This paper is aimed at providing an overview of Middle Eastern countries’FTA policy and progress of individual bilateral FTAs with America and EU. This paper tries to present a comprehensive and organized view on Middle Eastern countries’FTA policy. It also provides a summary of recent developments in their FTA policy. Regarding a Middle Eastern countries&quot; FTA, the author emphasizes that, despite of the some weak points in their industrial structures, a FTA is strategically significant and offers various economic benefits, by strengthening the strategic alliances.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;A free trade agreement (FTA) eliminates tariffs and alleviates non-tariff barriers (NTBs), stimulating trade for member nations while limiting imports from non-member nations at the same time. In an effort to avoid the negative effects of exclusion from such agreements, to maintain economic reform and an open policy, and to actively cope with proliferating regionalism, the Middle Eastern countries have decided to pursue FTAs with other nations. Forming FTAs will enable them to create political allies, as a GCC. AMU AFTA, attract foreign investment, and establish overseas footholds, as well as allow their companies to secure foreign export markets and overcome discriminatory practices under other regions.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Middle Eastern countries are in the process of FTA negotiations, and should expedite these negotiations to provide a feasible FTA environment internally and externally. Furthermore, it should endeavor to seek a model FTA that provides a basis for negotiations to facilitate future FTAs. In the meanwhile, Middle Eastern countries should hasten to conclude the FTA negotiations with EU to lay the foundation for future FTAs. since newly joined eastern EU members will be a potential rival against the Middle Eastern countries. In concluding, it should be stressed on the Middle Eastern countries should simultaneously promote FTAs with multiple countries. Finally, it can be pointed out that Middle Eastern countries should enhance its capacity to implement its FTA policy by improving public awareness of the potential benefits of preferential FTAs.