Today I was one of just a handful of business community reps invited to attend the formal exchange of instruments of ratification ceremony at the U.S. State Department where the “123″ Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation between the U.S. and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Governments. This 123 Agreement is a prerequisite for U.S. companies to be able under U.S. law to supply nuclear equipment, services, or technology to a foreign partner nation. And the UAE is huge potential market and a stalwart partner. For once, our government is to be commended for moving quickly and effectively to conclude an agreement that is in concrete terms good for the American economy, for the global environment, and for long-standing U.S. nuclear non-proliferations policies. And there are indeed huge business opportunities in the nuclear energy sector in the UAE- starting with a $ 40 billion project currently in the final stages for procurement award. With more to come. This landmark deal will provide a framework for American companies, large and small, to compete to supply goods and services to the UAE in its ambitious nuclear power development. This agreement will also ensure the highest standards of non-proliferation, safety and security for the UAE project.

The NAM and our member companies have been strong supporters of this pact from the start and helped promote its negotiation and approval by Congress. NAM President John Engler has been speaking out forcefully, both publicly and in key private meetings, over the past year leading the business community efforts to push this 123 Agreement through to what we saw achieved today. A more robust nuclear power industry would help our country meet its clean energy goals while creating thousands of high-paying jobs here at home. There is every reason to be optimistic that full entry into force today will translate into U.S. companies winning important export contracts and creating great new manufacturing jobs here at home. This is, indeed, a very good day for U.S. business and for the NAM. Highly-qualified companies and skilled workers will now be able to be able to compete on a level playing field and win business in the UAE. I also hope that experience and success in places like the UAE will help reinvigorate our own nuclear power industry and workforce. (continue reading…)

An op-ed in today’s Washington Times by John Engler, President of the National Association of Manufacturers, “Benefits of U.A.E. deal,” on the 123 Agreement between the United states and the United Arab Emirates, now pending before Congress. As Engler argues, “The agreement paves the way for the United Arab Emirates to benefit from safe, clean, reliable nuclear power just as we do in the United States and in other industrial countries.”

And what’s in it for the United States:

The National Association of Manufacturers’ Nuclear Energy Workforce Coalition strongly supports a robust nuclear power industry because nuclear is a reliable low-cost, clean energy that supports a sustainable pro-growth agenda and helps U.S. manufacturers compete globally. This 123 Agreement and the United Arab Emirates decision could generate excellent jobs in the United States at a time of great economic distress. Further, it could also result in substantial development opportunities for U.S. manufacturers.

The administration has called the United Arab Emirates’ nuclear energy program a “model for the world,” and the world is watching. Power generation technologies remain one of America’s major manufacturing exports, and it is important that we maintain this capability as we expand our own domestic nuclear program.

The Senate resolution of approval is S.J.Res. 18. More background on the 123 Agreement is in the news release from the Department of State and this Congressional Research Service Report.

Companies are fiercely competing for a piece of the multibillion dollar project, understandably enough.