Egypt-U.S. business partnership formed

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said Tuesday it has joined with the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt to form the first U.S.-Egypt business partnership to advance import-export opportunities.

The partnership project will reach out to Chamber members interested in Egypt trade and investment opportunities.

The announcement was made in conjunction with a visit by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Mubarak told the Chamber's International Forum that he hopes to move toward a trade agreement with the United States. "We are approaching the new administration with an offer to initiate discussions that will lead eventually to a free trade agreement, one that will bind our two countries in progress and one that will preserve the successes of our reforms," he said.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening Egyptian-U.S. economic relations.

"Here in the United States of America and back home in Egypt, we must join hands for progress and share the welfare of our peoples," Mubarak said. "We owe ... ourselves and both of our countries commitment to progress."

See related sites about Middle East

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.