Jordan seeks updated information about COMESA

AMMAN — Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Maha Ali on Saturday requested comprehensive and updated information about the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

During a meeting with Sindiso Ngwenya, secretary general of COMESA, Ali asked for sufficient information on the countries and the commercial and investment opportunities available in that region, in order to study the data  and pass it to the private sector to choose the fields of cooperation. 

She said boosting economic cooperation requires providing necessary measures to increase commercial exchange, establish investments, stimulate the private sector, and exchange expertise. 

The minister said Jordan looks forward to opening new markets at a number of COMESA countries as well as establish economic partnerships to serve both sides. 

She also referred to accepting Jordan as an observer in the organisation in 2006, which allows it to develop mechanisms to activate economic collaboration with the common market. 

Ali showcased the investment opportunities available in Jordan, enhanced recently through preparing better economic legislations, issuing a new investment law and allowing Jordanian products to reach the biggest and most important international markets under free trade agreements.

Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) President Hamdi Tabbaa on Saturday also met with Ngwenya and highlighted that Jordan is seeking to penetrate African countries to compensate for traditional markets lost as a result of regional political and security developments.

Tabbaa said African markets have a lot of opportunities for the Jordanian industry that can meet part of the African needs.

Investment-attracting environment, security, stability, infrastructure and geographical location constitute a good incentive for African investors and businesspeople to run their projects in the Kingdom, Tabbaa added, noting that Africans can also benefit from Jordan’s relations with international economic blocs.

Ngwenya expressed willingness of private sectors in COMESA countries to develop commercial and investment relations with Jordan through signing a memorandum of understanding between COMESA’s business council and the Kingdom’s private sector represented by commercial and industrial chambers.

Ngwenya also invited JBA members to attend the Africa 2015 international conference, which is scheduled to be held in Sharm Al Sheikh late October, and will focus on pharmaceutical products, ICT, commerce and energy.