

Currently released so far... 12648 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09CAIRO1932, RACHID REVIEWS TRADE TIES, UPCOMING TRIP TO U.S. REF: A. CAIRO 1793 B. CAIRO 1550 C. CAIRO 1522 Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09CAIRO1932.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09CAIRO1932 | 2009-10-08 17:17 | 2011-02-16 21:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Cairo |
VZCZCXYZ0017
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHEG #1932/01 2811717
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 081717Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3809
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001932
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
USAID/ME, STATE FOR USTR, ALSO FOR F, NEA AND EB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019
TAGS: ETRD ECON PREL EFIN EAID EG
SUBJECT: RACHID REVIEWS TRADE TIES, UPCOMING TRIP TO U.S. REF: A. CAIRO 1793 B. CAIRO 1550 C. CAIRO 1522 Classified By: Ambassador Margaret Scobey for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1.(SBU) Key Points: -- Minister of Trade Rachid plans to spend November 17-19 in Washington and New York and hopes to meet with USTR Kirk and Secretary Locke. He will attend a New York event aimed at promoting U.S. business interests in Egypt. -- Rachid is interested in exploring ways to increase U.S. wheat exports to Egypt and has offered to meet with major U.S. exporters of agricultural commodities while in the U.S. -- Rachid remains unsatisfied with the agenda proposed by USTR for a strategic economic partnership. He wants Egypt's concerns - primarily areas of technical assistance - reflected in the work plan. MOTI senior advisors subsequently advised that they continue to regard the latest USTR draft work plan as a basis for agreement and will provide comments and suggested changes soon. -- Septel recounts Ambassador's conversation with Rachid on the bilateral relationship.
¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador and Minister of Trade and Industry (MOTI) Rachid Rachid met September 29 to discuss his upcoming trip to the U.S., now scheduled for November 17-19, the formation of the Business Leaders Forum (BLF), and the latest developments in USTR-MOTI efforts to agree on an action plan for a Strategic Economic Partnership on Trade-related and Investment Issues. Agriculture, Commercial, and Economic Counselors accompanied the Ambassador. ---------------------- Rachid's Visit to U.S. ----------------------
¶3. (SBU) Rachid explained that the postponement of his U.S. trip originally scheduled for early November was due to the timing of two other events requiring his presence: the ruling-National Democratic Party (NDP) conference on November 3 and the November 6 Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at Sharm al-Sheikh. He added that, as part of his outreach to U.S. companies, a day had been added to his trip for "a big business event" in New York. Rachid welcomed the Ambassador's suggestion that while in Washington he meet with EEB U/S Hormats. ---------------------- Business Leaders Forum ----------------------
¶4. (SBU) Rachid noted that he had met September 28 with the Egyptian membership of the proposed Business Leaders Forum (BLF) (ref. b) and added that senior members will be accompanying him to the U.S. The Ambassador said that Coca Cola, which has taken the lead in engaging the U.S. private sector on the initiative, had recently reported favorable replies from U.S. companies to a letter soliciting interest in BLF membership. Formation of the U.S. membership to the BLF, however, would not likely be completed in time for a proposed inaugural meeting during Rachid's November visit. The Ambassador suggested that the trip's postponement may allow sufficient time for the MOTI and Department of Commerce to agree on the latest draft MOU supporting the BLF. (Comment: A signing ceremony with Secretary Locke and Rachid during the visit would offer an alternative means of highlighting the BLF than the previously planned but now highly unlikely inaugural meeting. End Comment.) ---------------------- Bilateral Trade Issues ----------------------
¶5. (SBU) Rachid touched briefly on the lack of progress on expanding Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) to Upper Egypt, specifically the current impasse with USTR (ref. a.). He noted that he had raised the issue with USTR Kirk during September 3-4 WTO meetings in New Delhi. Rachid said that he had spoken to President Obama and NEC Director Summers on the subject during Mubarak's visit to the U.S. Rachid asserted that President Obama was aware of the issue and supported it.
¶6. (SBU) The Ambassador asked for the MOTI's initial opinion of the latest USTR draft work plan for the Strategic Economic Partnership. Rachid replied that it "needs some meat on it." His senior advisor, Dr. Samiha Fawzy, interjected that her comments on the first draft could be applied equally to the most recent one. (Note: Fawzy told Econoffs October 7 that the MOTI continues to regard the USTR draft work plan as the basis for an eventual agreement and will provide USTR with comments and suggested changes in 7-10 days. End note.) (Comment: A visiting USTR team reviewed a first draft with MOTI senior advisors August 2-3 (ref. b). Discussions at that time and MOTI comments provided August 5 indicated that the MOTI is placing greater emphasis on securing technical assistance in specific areas than in establishing a formal mechanism for advancing a long-term dialogue on trade-related and investment issues. End Comment.)
¶7. (SBU) Rachid said that given the impact of the global financial crisis, deficit spending, and other issues before the Congress, he expected "a bit of wait and see" before the U.S. Administration could provide greater clarity on its trade policies. With "obviously not enough support for USTR to move," Rachid said he wondered "if USTR is the right place to focus on trade" at this time. Rachid said he still wants to continue the bilateral dialogue on trade issues, but prefers a greater emphasis on technical assistance in areas that will advance bilateral trade, such as IPR, standards, legislative reforms, and trade facilitation. (Note: See para. 9 for possible USG funding for much of the technical assistance requested. End Note.) ---------------- U.S. Wheat Sales ----------------
¶8. (SBU) The Ambassador advised that, due to a recent change in regulations governing commodity purchases through Cash Transfer Programs, it is no longer required that a portion of U.S. wheat purchases be shipped by U.S. flag vessels. Rachid said that Egypt "would definitely want to buy more U.S. wheat" but purchases are made through a competitive bidding system and the higher cost of shipping U.S. wheat has been an issue. He welcomed the change and also expressed interest in exploring other ways of increasing U.S. agriculture commodity purchases, such as through investment in silos and other infrastructure. He offered to meet with international grain exporters during his U.S. visit. --------------- U.S. Assistance ---------------
¶9. (SBU) Comment: USAID has funds to enable the USG to provide much of the assistance that MOTI is requesting, both from existing programs as well as from a new program designed to support the USTR-MOTI negotiations. In the customs area, for example, USAID can support GOE efforts to update the Executive Regulations and start a pilot project for an electronic "Single Window" which would allow importers and exporters to deal with one portal and handle all the different ministries that control trade. USAID can also provide technical assistance allowing the GOE to harmonize Egyptian standards and regulations in two priority sectors: textiles/garments and cosmetics/detergents. It can also help the GOE strengthen IPR enforcement generally, but most importantly with respect to border measures. (Note: Egypt imports most of its counterfeit goods.)
¶10. (SBU) With respect to internal markets, USAID will be able to help the GOE strengthen governance laws and procedures, making it easier for the GOE to deal with deceptive advertising, register companies, fight counterfeit medicines, and improve food safety, all of which provide opportunities for the sale of U.S. goods. Experts from USDA are also helping MOTI to improve food standards, while the Department of Commerce is supporting the development of a highly desirable law on franchising that will open up market opportunities to American firms.
¶11. (C) Rachid has been persistent in pressing for greater U.S. engagement on bilateral trade, his planned visit to the U.S. being his next effort. Although his enthusiastic public launch of the Business Leaders Forum (BLF) and naming of its Egyptian members was premature (ref. c), U.S. private sector interest in the BLF appears to be growing, offering greater promise that it will become a viable means of strengthening and expanding the U.S-Egypt commercial relationship. Rachid's personal interest in helping to stem the decline in U.S. grain exports to Egypt is also welcome. USG-GOE direct talks on other aspects of the bilateral trade relationship, however, have revealed significant differences in perspective on how best to move forward. Rachid's signing of the Strategic Economic Partnership framework agreement with USTR in May 2009 strongly suggested a serious GOE commitment to a long-term dialogue on standard trade-related and investment issues. Subsequent discussions and exchanges of documents, however, indicate that the MOTI currently considers specific technical assistance -- with tangible and more immediate results -- a greater priority than a typical bilateral trade dialogue. The two approaches, however, need not be mutually exclusive. The Strategic Economic Partnership work plan, by better incorporating -- if possible -- ways to address MOTI immediate interests, may draw the GOE into engaging more seriously in a formal bilateral dialogue on trade and investment which will ultimately help in meeting Egypt's longer term economic goals. Greater clarity on respective USG and GOE objectives and preferred approaches -- particularly in the lead up to Rachid's visit -- would help advance the bilateral trade and economic dialogue. Scobey