MEPI: REQUEST FOR SPEAKER ON TRADE ISSUES FOR

UNCLAS KUWAIT 005090 SIPDIS STATE PASS USTR FOR JASON BUNTIN; NEA/REA FOR SONIA FRANCESKI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EAID PGOV KU SUBJECT: MEPI: REQUEST FOR SPEAKER ON TRADE ISSUES FOR MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REF: A. STATE 126550 ¶B. KUWAIT 2949 ¶1. (U) As part of its MEPI country strategy, post will occasionally request speakers as current events necessitate. The first such request is for a return visit in December by Mr. Emad Tinawi, who made a preliminary trip to Kuwait in August. We would like Mr. Tinawi to conduct a training seminar for members of the National Assembly on free trade issues. The GOK has indicated that it is ready to sign a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the United States, and now is the opportune time to educate the deputies on what the agreement entails. There are concerns in Kuwait about opening up the economy, and especially the effects that liberalization might have on Kuwaiti employment opportunities. It is critical, therefore, that we provide the legislative branch with factual information on the TIFA and the broader topic of free trade at this relatively early stage, to counter any protectionist sentiments that might emerge. This training seminar would also allow us to identify areas of particular concern among members of the National Assembly, so that we might tailor future MEPI outreach programs. ¶2. (U) This project falls under Kuwait's economic reform pillar (Ref B),and supports the MEPI goal of enhancing Kuwait's global competitiveness (Ref A). JONES