AMMAN, 10 December 2004 — The governments of Jordan and the United States yesterday signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) designed to assist the two countries in improving the flow of trade and “securing it against terrorism”, according to a US Embassy statement.
“International trade is increasing rapidly and terrorism is a global threat. It is now critical that customs agencies around the world share information, not only to improve the flow of trade, but also to secure trade routes,” US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert Bonner said at the signing ceremony. “Everyone wins when we establish consistent standards to promote international trade, thwart criminal activity and defeat terrorism,” he added.
The accord also provides a basis for cooperation and investigation in the areas of commercial fraud, smuggling, export controls and related security, the embassy said.
“The CMAA will be mutually beneficial to the United States and Jordan by enhancing their abilities to enforce custom laws,” it added, noting that US domestic laws and most foreign national laws do not permit disclosure of much information in the absence of a formal agreement of treaty.
