Ali expresses interest in developing ties with Djibouti

AMMAN — Economic growth rates in Djibouti constitute a good opportunity for Jordanian businesspeople to invest in the industrial, agricultural, housing and service sectors, Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Maha Ali said on Monday. 

At a meeting the Jordan Chamber of Industry organised between the industrial sectors in Jordan and Djibouti, Ali added the Kingdom is "very keen" to enhance economic relations with Djibouti.

She also referred to a previous meeting with Ilyas Dawaleh, Djibouti's minister of economy and finance in charge of industry and head of the delegation, when it was agreed to increase Jordanian exports to the African country, especially  pharmaceuticals, phosphate, potash, electric devices and Dead Sea products.

Djibouti agreed to provide necessary facilities to establish a Jordanian logistic village in its free zone to store Jordanian goods and re-export them to African markets, Ali continued.

Both countries also decided to embark on talks to sign bilateral agreements on commercial preferences, investment encouragement and protection, agriculture, exchanging expertise on standards and metrology, and industrial property protection, the minister elaborated. 

Transport Minister Ayman Hatahit said Aqaba Port is connected with Djibouti through four maritime routes, noting that shipping between Aqaba and Djibouti is the cheapest, where the cost of one 20-cubic feet container costs between $500 and $600.

Dawaleh said the visit to the Kingdom is aimed at developing commercial ties, and facilitating the Jordanian trade movement into Africa.

At another meeting, Dawaleh met Sunday night with local private sector industrialists.

Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) President Hamdi Tabbaa said Jordan is about to establish a maritime transport route between Aqaba and Turkey's Iskenderun Port, with a possibility to extend the route to Jeddah and Djibouti. 

Tabbaa encouraged Djibouti's businesspeople to invest in the Kingdom which offers good opportunities to reach US, European, Canadian, Turkish markets thanks to bilateral free trade agreements, according to a JBA statement. 

Tabbaa, who is also the honorary consul of Djibouti, highlighted the importance of cooperation in the service sector, mainly because Jordan enjoys "good reputation" in the health, pharmaceutical, and higher education fields. 

Dawaleh praised JBA's mission and invited a JBA delegation to Djibouti to check on cooperation means and investments in the country, which can serve as a hub to reach eastern African countries, added the statement.