LOC09:48
06:48 GMT
WASHINGTON, April 21 (KUNA) -- American officials met in Washington with
officials from the Maghreb countries part of the US-North Africa Partnership
for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO) economic ministers policy dialogue.
The State Department noted in a statement late last night that this
dialogue highlighted "economic issues of mutual interest, including creating
policy environments for job creation, promoting public-private partnerships,
regional competitiveness, financing for new businesses, and cross-border
business opportunities in the Maghreb."
"The dialogue also focused on the US commitment to overall economic
engagement and partnership with the region, following Secretary Clinton's
recent travel to Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia", added the statement.
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment Robert
Hormats, Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Jose Fernandez,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Elizabeth
Dibble, and Special Representative for Global Partnerships Kris Balderston met
with Ministers from Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia, as well as with
the Ambassador of Libya to the United States, on the margins of the Spring
Meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The State Department noted that "one of the main objectives of NAPEO is to
create a public-private network that encourages American private sector
companies and organizations to increase their involvement in the Maghreb
region."
"NAPEO represents a vehicle by which its members in the United States and
in North Africa can identify, initiate, and sustain locally-driven projects
that foster economic opportunity (especially for youth), regional integration,
entrepreneurship, a positive business climate, and skills training", concluded
the statement. (end)
jm.gta
KUNA 210948 Apr 12NNNN