On 9 May 2003, the
President of the United States outlined a strategy
towards the establishment of a U.S.- Middle East
free trade area, to be developed within a decade.
One step towards this was to be the negotiation of
bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and Trade and
Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) with Middle
Eastern countries.
On 7 July 2004, the United States and the Sultanate
of Oman signed a Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA) as a forum to examine ways to
expand bilateral trade and investment. On 15
November 2004, the U.S. Administration notified the
U.S. Congress of its intent to negotiate a free
trade agreement with Oman. On 12 March 2005 the
United States and Oman launched negotiations in
Muscat, Oman, and concluded the negotiations on 3
October 2005. The U.S. Administration notified
Congress of the intent to sign the FTA on 17 October
2005. The draft text was made available to the
public on 18 October 2005. The agreement was signed
on 19 January 2006.
Source: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR); Official White House website; United States International Trade Commission (USITC); U.S. Federal Register
Article 22.5 of the U.S.-Oman free trade agreement states that the agreement shall enter into force 60 days after the Parties exchange written notification certifying the completion of their respective applicable legal requirements and procedures.
On 26 June 2006 the U.S. President forwarded legislation and supporting
documents to implement the U.S. - Oman FTA to Congress. Senate Bill S.3569
passed without amendment on 29 June 2006. The United States - Oman Free Trade Agreement
Implementation Act (H.R. 5684) was passed by the U.S. House of
Representatives on 20 July 2006 and by the Senate in June 2006. The U.S. President issued a proclamation to implement the agreement on 29 December 2008. The U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement entered into force on 1st January 2009.