WASHINGTON D.C. (A.A) - 25.06.2002 - Following the draft resolution that was submitted to the U.S. Senate regarding the foundation of qualified industry zones in Turkey, a similar draft resolution was also given to U.S. House of Representatives.
Phil Crane, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives submitted a draft resolution about the foundation of a qualified industry zone between Turkey and Israel within the scope of U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement.
Crane said that the draft aims to strengthen the economic relations between Turkey and Israel and to contribute to the regional stability and the economy of Turkey. ''Turkey has become a powerful ally of both the U.S. and Israel. We must do our best to help in improvement of the free trade of this important democratic country.''
Crane said that the foundation of qualified industry zones is beneficial, adding that there are 11 qualified regions in Jordan which were formed since 1999 and the exports of this country which was 31 million dollars increased to 250 million dollars.
''I am sure that this draft resolution will create an important influence on the growing high technology sector of Turkey. I expect the support of my colleagues to adopt this important resolution as soon as possible,'' he said.
Earlier three senators in the U.S. Congress had submitted a draft resolution to the U.S. Senate which foresaw an amendment in the law on the free trade agreement between the U.S. and Israel.
If the draft resolution is adopted by the U.S. Congress, certain products that will be produced in Turkey by the qualified industry zones to be set up in Turkey will enter the U.S. markets without customs.
The U.S. Congress started the qualified industry zones programme in 1996 to deepen the economic cooperation with Israel, Egypt and Jordan.