MINISTER HOPEFUL OF OCTOBER IMPLEMENTATION OF FTA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000774 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP STATE PASS USTR FOR JBUNTIN COMMERCE FOR COBERG E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2017 TAGS: ETRD ECON PREL MU SUBJECT: MINISTER HOPEFUL OF OCTOBER IMPLEMENTATION OF FTA REF: BUNTIN-GRIMM EMAIL OF 8/1/07 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.4 b and d This is an action cable for USTR. Please see paragraph 4. ¶1. (C) On August 8, Ambassador telephoned Commerce and Industry Minister Maqbool bin Ali Sultan in London (on vacation) to discuss the Omani government's progress on completing the outstanding items required for implementation of the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement. Maqbool appreciated receiving the call and remarked that Oman was "very close" to promulgating three draft laws relating to tendering, copyrights, and industrial property, respectively. On the tender law, Maqbool stated that his Ministry and the Ministry of Legal Affairs had resolved "90% of their concerns." He predicted that the draft would be ready for promulgation within two weeks. On the copyright law, Maqbool stated that he was pushing the Ministry of Legal Affairs to finish its review immediately. On the industrial property law, Maqbool noted that the Omani side was waiting for feedback from the USG regarding Article 65, as was discussed during the July 31 teleconference. He again relayed his concern that the USG was treating Oman differently from other FTA partners with respect to data protection and asked that the U.S. redouble its efforts to "help Oman" deal with this continuing problem. ¶2. (C) Maqbool expressed his hope that the two sides would be able to set the "earliest possible date" for the FTA's implementation and suggested October 1. The Ambassador replied that this would require the Omanis' prompt conclusion of all remaining outstanding items. Maqbool believed that October 1 would be obtainable and proposed that he and the Ambassador meet as soon as he returns from leave on or about August 22. ¶3. (U) Earlier in the day, Econoff contacted Dr. Batool Suleiman Jaffer, Director of Rational Drug Control, Ministry of Health to inquire about the status of the list of the 100 pharmaceutical products the Ministry believed was not available on the private market, as discussed reftel. Jaffer replied that the list would not be finalized until the Ministry's Director General returned from leave in late August. She again raised the concern that the Ministry had to provide these pharmaceuticals free of charge for expatriates, since they could not be purchased on the private market. (Note: Technically, only Omani citizens are entitled to free medical care from the Ministry. End note.) She also pointed out that even when the pharmaceuticals were available in the private sector, the prices were "much higher" in Oman than in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. Econoff responded that these issues fell outside the scope of the FTA, but that the USG would look into alternatives to address this situation. ¶4. (C) Comment and Action Request. On the industrial property law, Maqbool continues to cling to the argument that Oman is being treated differently than other FTA partners with regard to the issue of data protection. To dispel the Minister of this notion, Embassy would like to deliver a letter to Maqbool, either signed by DUSTR or by the Ambassador, that explains to the Omani government that they are being accorded the same treatment as other FTA partners. The Ambassador can deliver this letter when he calls on the Minister in two weeks. End comment and action request. GRAPPO