Jordan, Poland agree to boost trade ties

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday discussed regional and international developments and bilateral relations with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the Baltic Sea resort of Gdansk, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The two leaders highlighted the importance of taking bilateral relations to a new level, especially the economy and trade fields, in addition to cooperation in the field of military industries. 

They also discussed ways to build on the memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements already signed between the two countries, especially in light of Jordan’s advanced status with the EU and the recent deal between Amman and Brussels to simplify the rules of origin, which will be applied to designated industrial estates in the Kingdom and grant made-in-Jordan products easier access to European markets. 

Regarding regional and international developments, His Majesty stressed the importance of continued efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist groups in accordance with a comprehensive strategy involving all international partners. 

King Abdullah also highlighted the importance of reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis, highlighting the burdens Jordan is shouldering as a main host of Syrian refugees. 

For his part, Duda welcomed King Abdullah’s visit, describing the encounter as “an important opportunity to strengthen relations and advance them in a way that serves mutual interests, especially in the economic sphere”, the statement said. 

The Polish president commended Jordan’s efforts to preserve safety and stability in the region and the world, and voiced his country’s willingness to help shoulder the burdens of the Syrian crisis, which he described as an international responsibility. 

The meeting was attended by King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan and senior Polish officials. 

By the end of 2015, Poland’s trade exchange with Jordan had grown fourfold over the previous seven years. 

In a recent interview during May with Polish Ambassador to Jordan Krzysztof Bojko, he said that when he moved to Jordan in 2009, the bilateral trade volume was $23 million, while last year it stood at $98 million.

At the time, he also noted that in 2011, before the so-called Arab Spring, up to 30,000 Poles used to visit Jordan annually, noting that the number decreased this year.