Duration

This agreement shall remain in force unless terminated by mutual consent of the parties (Egypt and the USA) or by either party upon six months notice to other party.

The Establishment of  Agreement

Egypt –USA Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed in Washington D.C on July 1, 1999. The Agreement aims to expand the flow of trade and investment by taking appropriate measures to encourage and facilitate the exchange of goods and services and to secure favorable conditions for long term development and diversification of trade between both countries nationals and companies.

Establishment of the United States- Egypt  Council on Trade and Investment

-This agreement established a United States- Egypt Council on Trade and Investment (TIFA Council) which is composed of Representatives of both parties.
- The Egyptian side is chaired by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the U.S side is chaired by the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
- The Agreement calls that the Council is to meet at such times as agreed by the two parties.

- The TIFA Council has met four times so far. The first meeting was held in Cairo (November 19,1999). The second in Washington D.C (October 1, 2002).The third in Cairo (February  2005).The fourth in Washington(December 2005).

- The objective of the Council is to hold consultations on specific trade matters, and those investment matters,  not arising under the Investment Treaty,  of interest to the parties, and  to identify and work toward the removal of Impediments to trade and investment flows.

- The USA – Egypt Trade and Investment Framework Agreement is a first step towards working on initiating talks between the two sides in regards to establishing a Free Trade Agreement.