In response to the sweeping political and economic changes taking place in the Middle East and North Africa, the U.S. government is launching a major new initiative to improve U.S. commercial, trade and investment ties with that region.  To ensure that its new trade initiative will increase U.S. commerce in that region, the administration is seeking comments from the private sector on Middle Eastern and North African trade restrictions, regulatory barriers, intellectual property concerns, investment concerns and other barriers that should be addressed under this initiative. 

Any U.S. entity or sector that is exporting to the Middle East, or is interested in increasing its commercial ties to the fast-growing regional market, should consider how it might benefit from this new initiative.  Companies or sectors interested in submitting comments must do so by October 15, 2011, to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.  U.S. entities interested in the region also need to be familiar with regulations governing business with countries in the region, including trade sanctions, antiboycott regulations and export controls.