Entry into force :

Thursday 01 Jan 1981

Agreement on Facilitating and Developing Inter-Arab Trade (Major Arab Free Trade Area)

​​ Objectives of the agreement:

to liberalize trade in goods by removing or reducing tariffs and limiting the application of non-tariff measures. Entry into effect: January 1981

Benefits:

  • Full exemption on all commodities, both agricultural and industrial.
  • The domestic value added agreed in the rules of origin is 40% and there are preferential rules of origin for some goods agreed upon between member states.
  • Most Arab countries are parties to the agreement except Somalia, Djibouti, Comoros, and Mauritania.
  • Granting imports of goods between the Arab Member States the same treatment granted to national products and non-application of customs duties on them.
  • ​ Non-tariff barriers or barriers between member states shall not be applied.