Jordan, Indonesia discuss bilateral relations, regional issues

AMMAN — Jordanian trade stakeholders on Wednesday discussed with an Indonesian parliamentary delegation ways to enhance Amman-Jakarta economic relations.

Representatives of the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and a visiting delegation from the Indonesian house of representatives called for activating the trade agreements between the two countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

"The way Jordan is important to Indonesia as a gate to the Middle East markets, Indonesia is an important gate to Jordanian markets into the Asian markets," Nafed Alayan, ACC vice president, said during the meeting.

Alayan added that Jordan's exports to Indonesia amounted to JD107 million last year; while its imports from the southeast Asian country reached JD83 million, according to Petra.

ACC representatives also suggested the signing of a Jordanian-Indonesian double taxation avoidance agreement or preferential trade agreement in addition to enhancing joint cooperation in the tourism and IT sectors, according to Petra.

Members of the Indonesian parliamentary international cooperation committee also stressed the need for more advanced relations between the two countries, expressing the Indonesian businessmen's keenness on entering joint economic ventures with their Jordanian peers, especially in the reconstruction of Syria and Iraq.   

Attending the meeting, Indonesian Ambassador Andy Rachimianto called on Jordan to benefit from his country's advanced auto and aircraft industries, Petra reported.

Also on Wednesday, the Lower House's Foreign Affairs and Palestine committees held talks with the Indonesian parliamentary delegation on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual concern.

The Jordanian and Indonesian lawmakers stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral relations in all fields during their meetings on Wednesday, in addition to a number of regional issues, including the Syrian refugee crisis, UNRWA's troubles and the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Petra reported.