Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT1423
2006-10-02 13:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
TRADE AGREEMENT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING: OMAN
how-toVZCZCXRO6614 RR RUEHDE DE RUEHMS #1423 2751345 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021345Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7206 INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0307 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001423
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EB/TPP FOR EKOCH
STATE PASS USTR FOR JBUNTIN
COMMERCE FOR COBERG
DUBAI FOR DWILLIAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL MU
SUBJECT: TRADE AGREEMENT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING: OMAN
REPORT
REF: SECSTATE 152063
The Embassy has keyed the following responses to reftel
request:
A. The Economic/Commercial officer is responsible for
monitoring agreements and responding to trade barrier
complaints. The Economic/Commercial officer works with the
Political/Economic chief, the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO)
Director stationed in Dubai, the Deputy Chief of Mission, and
the Ambassador in resolving such complaints.
B. The Embassy's point of contact is Economic/Commercial
officer Brian Grimm, who can be reached at 968-24-698-989,
extension 332 or on his mobile at 968-99-459-887. His email
address is GrimmBM@state.gov
C. The Embassy assisted Washington agencies in resolving two
main compliance issues during the calendar year. First, in
March 2006, the Embassy received a complaint via ATO Dubai
that two U.S. beef shipments had been detained at an Omani
port of entry. Econoff confirmed with officials from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries that only one shipment
had been detained for lack of documentation, while the other
shipment never arrived in Oman. Upon further questioning,
these officials confirmed that the Ministry was no longer
issuing permits for U.S. beef imports based on USG reports of
two BSE cases to the World Organization for Animal Health
(OIE). Econoff inquired about the notification procedure,
noting that the Embassy had not been informed of the
Ministry's decision. One official replied that the Ministry
was not obligated under Omani law to notify interested
parties of these types of actions in writing. He added that
importers generally are kept abreast of the latest
developments through their dealings with the Ministry. He
further explained that the Ministry would not forecast when
it would resume issuing permits.
Emboffs then raised this issue with the Minister of Commerce
and Industry. The Minister stated that he had spoken with
the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister about the restriction
on U.S. beef. He reiterated that Oman had not officially
banned imports of U.S. beef and had not taken formal action
to impose new conditions on such imports. Emboffs replied
that imposition of any conditions on the importation of U.S.
beef without a scientifically confirmed basis would not be
acceptable.
During an April follow-on meeting with ATO Dubai Director and
Econoff, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries confirmed
that no ban on U.S. beef would be imposed. In a late May
note verbale, Oman reaffirmed its commitment to permit the
importation of U.S. beef.
Second, the Embassy worked closely with USTR and the Commerce
Department's Office of Anti-boycott Compliance to ensure
Oman's non-compliance with the Arab League boycott of Israel.
In September 2005, Econoff and USDOC Anti-boycott officials
discussed several incidences with the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry and those entities which used boycott language
in commercial documentation, including Omantel and Sultan
Qaboos University. Assurances were received from all parties
to remove such language, and the Minister of Commerce and
Industry wrote to the US Trade Representative to assure him
that Oman did not impose any type of boycott against Israel.
In February 2006, the Minister of Commerce and Industry
reminded the President of Sultan Qaboos University to remove
references to outdated boycott language. In March 2006, the
Embassy received several assurances from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs that Oman's participation in the Arab League
boycott had been rescinded and that its personnel were
instructed not to attend boycott meetings. Consequently, in
July 2006, Treasury removed Oman from the list of countries
participating in the Arab League boycott of Israel.
D. The Embassy maintains close contact with the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, the Omani Center for Investment
Promotion and Export Development, the Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, the Muscat American Business Council,
ATO Dubai, and relevant Washington agencies in the monitoring
of trade compliance issues.
GRAPPO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EB/TPP FOR EKOCH
STATE PASS USTR FOR JBUNTIN
COMMERCE FOR COBERG
DUBAI FOR DWILLIAMS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL MU
SUBJECT: TRADE AGREEMENT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING: OMAN
REPORT
REF: SECSTATE 152063
The Embassy has keyed the following responses to reftel
request:
A. The Economic/Commercial officer is responsible for
monitoring agreements and responding to trade barrier
complaints. The Economic/Commercial officer works with the
Political/Economic chief, the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO)
Director stationed in Dubai, the Deputy Chief of Mission, and
the Ambassador in resolving such complaints.
B. The Embassy's point of contact is Economic/Commercial
officer Brian Grimm, who can be reached at 968-24-698-989,
extension 332 or on his mobile at 968-99-459-887. His email
address is GrimmBM@state.gov
C. The Embassy assisted Washington agencies in resolving two
main compliance issues during the calendar year. First, in
March 2006, the Embassy received a complaint via ATO Dubai
that two U.S. beef shipments had been detained at an Omani
port of entry. Econoff confirmed with officials from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries that only one shipment
had been detained for lack of documentation, while the other
shipment never arrived in Oman. Upon further questioning,
these officials confirmed that the Ministry was no longer
issuing permits for U.S. beef imports based on USG reports of
two BSE cases to the World Organization for Animal Health
(OIE). Econoff inquired about the notification procedure,
noting that the Embassy had not been informed of the
Ministry's decision. One official replied that the Ministry
was not obligated under Omani law to notify interested
parties of these types of actions in writing. He added that
importers generally are kept abreast of the latest
developments through their dealings with the Ministry. He
further explained that the Ministry would not forecast when
it would resume issuing permits.
Emboffs then raised this issue with the Minister of Commerce
and Industry. The Minister stated that he had spoken with
the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister about the restriction
on U.S. beef. He reiterated that Oman had not officially
banned imports of U.S. beef and had not taken formal action
to impose new conditions on such imports. Emboffs replied
that imposition of any conditions on the importation of U.S.
beef without a scientifically confirmed basis would not be
acceptable.
During an April follow-on meeting with ATO Dubai Director and
Econoff, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries confirmed
that no ban on U.S. beef would be imposed. In a late May
note verbale, Oman reaffirmed its commitment to permit the
importation of U.S. beef.
Second, the Embassy worked closely with USTR and the Commerce
Department's Office of Anti-boycott Compliance to ensure
Oman's non-compliance with the Arab League boycott of Israel.
In September 2005, Econoff and USDOC Anti-boycott officials
discussed several incidences with the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry and those entities which used boycott language
in commercial documentation, including Omantel and Sultan
Qaboos University. Assurances were received from all parties
to remove such language, and the Minister of Commerce and
Industry wrote to the US Trade Representative to assure him
that Oman did not impose any type of boycott against Israel.
In February 2006, the Minister of Commerce and Industry
reminded the President of Sultan Qaboos University to remove
references to outdated boycott language. In March 2006, the
Embassy received several assurances from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs that Oman's participation in the Arab League
boycott had been rescinded and that its personnel were
instructed not to attend boycott meetings. Consequently, in
July 2006, Treasury removed Oman from the list of countries
participating in the Arab League boycott of Israel.
D. The Embassy maintains close contact with the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, the Omani Center for Investment
Promotion and Export Development, the Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, the Muscat American Business Council,
ATO Dubai, and relevant Washington agencies in the monitoring
of trade compliance issues.
GRAPPO