Based in Houston, Jamal Daniel chairs the Crest Investment Company and also guides the private, nonprofit, Levant Foundation. Through the latter organization, Jamal Daniel seeks to expand knowledge of the Middle East’s Levantine region and of its defining monotheistic religions, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. One publication that encapsulates much of what the Foundation stands for is the RAND Corporation’s “Estimating the Economic Benefits of Levant Integration.” The focus of the independent research is on the potential of a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) in boosting countries such as Egypt, Israel, Iraq Turkey, Syria, and the Palestinian Territories. Over the past three decades, efforts to strengthen economic relationships across the Eastern Mediterranean have been persistent, though not well coordinated. A number of bilateral economic agreements exist, but a broader framework of integration remains elusive. An FTA would boost gross domestic product by as much as seven percent, in the process generating 700,000 to 1.7 million new jobs. One aspect of this would be eliminating tariffs that stand in the way of free flow of goods and services. In addition, increased interconnection and stability would encourage new investments. These could range from industrial and real estate projects, to those that promote travel and tourism. The RAND report singles out the Syrian conflict and its ripples of instability as one major challenge that needs to be addressed as part of any comprehensive framework. Cultural exchange, dialogue, and inclusive political perspectives are just some of the necessary ingredients in providing momentum toward a multi-state FTA.

1. Opportunities and Challenges in Levant
Integration, Free Trade Efforts
Jamal Daniel

2. Introduction
Based in Houston, Jamal Daniel chairs the Crest Investment Company and
also guides the private, nonprofit, Levant Foundation. Through the latter
organization, Jamal Daniel seeks to expand knowledge of the Middle East’s
Levantine region and of its defining monotheistic religions, Islam, Judaism,
and Christianity.

3. One publication that encapsulates much of what the Foundation stands
for is the RAND Corporation’s “Estimating the Economic Benefits of
Levant Integration.” The focus of the independent research is on the
potential of a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) in boosting
countries such as Egypt, Israel, Iraq Turkey, Syria, and the Palestinian
Territories.

4. Over the past three decades, efforts to strengthen economic
relationships across the Eastern Mediterranean have been persistent,
though not well coordinated. A number of bilateral economic agreements
exist, but a broader framework of integration remains elusive. An FTA
would boost gross domestic product by as much as seven percent, in the
process generating 700,000 to 1.7 million new jobs.

5. One aspect of this would be eliminating tariffs that stand in the way of
free flow of goods and services. In addition, increased interconnection
and stability would encourage new investments. These could range from
industrial and real estate projects, to those that promote travel and
tourism.

6. The RAND report singles out the Syrian conflict and its ripples of
instability as one major challenge that needs to be addressed as part of
any comprehensive framework. Cultural exchange, dialogue, and
inclusive political perspectives are just some of the necessary ingredients
in providing momentum toward a multi-state FTA.