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This publication contains one-page econom-
ic summaries of the countries in the Near
East and North Africa.

U.S. exports to the Near East and North
Africa totaled $10.1 billion in 1975, an in-
crease of 61% over 1974. For the first 6
months of 1976, U.S. exports to the area to-
taling $5.5 billion are running 14% ahead of
the same period last year. The Near East/
North African markets are becoming increas-
ingly important in terms of the U.S. balance
of trade. In 1975 U.S. exports to the area
were 9.4% of total U.S. exports as opposed to
only 6.4% in 1974.

According to Bureau of the Census statis-

tics, "special category", which includes mili-

tary goods, plus cereals and cereal products

accounted for almost 30% of total U.S. ex-

ports to the Near East and North Africa in

1975. Sales of a wide range of capital and

transport equipment reached $2.6 billion and

$2.1 billion, respectively. Other product cate-

gories too numerous to mention ranging from

iron and steel manufacturers to clothing and

furniture also sold well.

In addition to exports of U.S. products

which appear in the Census statistics, U.S.

consultants, engineers, architects and con-

struction companies have obtained contracts

for services worth billions of dollars. U.S.

companies are involved in a variety of proj-

ects such as a water desalination and power

complex in Saudi Arabia, a liquefied natural

gas project in Abu Dhabi, and textile mills in

Morocco.

The OPEC countries including Algeria,

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Ara-

bia and the United Arab Emirates present

attractive markets to U.S. companies. Near

East/North African OPEC oil revenues are

expected to exceed $90 billion this year and

$110 billion by 1980. Translated into business

opportunities it is estimated that these coun-
tries will import annually about $75 billion
worth of goods by 1980 and almost $90 billion
by 1985.

Although not an oil exporter, Israel is the
third largest customer in the area for U.S.
business. Israel is a sophisticated technology-
oriented country with a well developed infras-
tructure and industrial sector. Historically
close relations between the United States and
Israel plus U.S. superiority in high technolo-
gy products makes Israel a natural customer
for U.S. goods and services.

Other countries such as Egypt, Syria, Jor-
dan, and Tunisia are benefiting from the in-
creased oil revenues in the area through
loans and grants extended by the oil-export-

ing countries. Additional funds are being

provided through "triangular" investment in

which capital from richer countries is linked

with foreign technology to develop projects in

financial resources plus aid from other sources, including the United States, the nonoil exporting countries should not be ignored by U.S. exporters.

The North African countries of Libya plus the Maghreb countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia are also developing their economies providing opportunities for those with the right products and services. U.S. companies will meet strong French influence, although this dominance is weakening in each country

guage in the Maghreb and their legal structure, business customs and habits are based on the French system. Nevertheless North African Government officials and businessmen are oriented toward American technology and invite the attention of U.S. suppliers.

For further information on any of the Near East/North African countries contact the Commerce Action Group for the Near East (CAGNE), U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 3203, Washington, D.C. 20230, phone: (202) 377-5341.