Agadir Agreement Member Countries

The Agadir Agreement, signed in 2004, is a free trade agreement between four countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region – Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. The agreement aims to promote economic integration and facilitate the movement of goods and services among member countries.

Morocco, as the largest economy among the member countries, has been the driving force behind the Agadir Agreement. The country has been actively promoting regional economic integration as a means to enhance its competitiveness in the global market. The agreement allows Morocco to access new markets, diversify its exports, and attract more foreign investment.

Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan, on the other hand, have benefited from the agreement by gaining access to Morocco`s large consumer market. The Agadir Agreement has helped these countries to increase their exports to Morocco and tap into its growing economy. Moreover, the agreement has facilitated the movement of people and capital among member countries, creating new opportunities for business and investment.

Since its inception, the Agadir Agreement has been successful in increasing trade among member countries. According to the World Bank, intra-Agadir trade increased by more than 50 percent between 2005 and 2017. In 2019, the total trade among member countries reached $4.3 billion.

However, the agreement has faced some challenges in recent years. One of the main issues is the lack of implementation of the agreement`s provisions at the national level. Member countries have been slow to adopt the necessary policies and regulations to facilitate trade and investment among themselves.

Moreover, the political instability and security challenges in some member countries have hindered the implementation of the Agadir Agreement. Egypt, for example, has been struggling with political turmoil and security threats since the Arab Spring in 2011, which has affected its economy and trade relations with other member countries.

Despite these challenges, the Agadir Agreement remains a crucial framework for regional economic integration in the MENA region. It offers a platform for member countries to cooperate and enhance their economic competitiveness in the global market. To achieve the full potential of the agreement, member countries need to prioritize its implementation and address the challenges they face.