Jordan seeking to expand markets for its exports — Anani

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Jawad Anani on Thursday said that Jordan and Egypt had reached a compromise to remove obstacles facing trade exchange between the two countries. 

Speaking at a meeting with industrialists as he opened an office for his ministry and another for Amman Chamber of Commerce at the Muwaqqar Industrial Estate, Anani said that discussions with the Egyptian side focused on removing restrictions facing Jordanian companies willing to export to Egypt and exclude them from the registration requirement as soon as possible, in order to sustain exports to the Egyptian market, especially since the trade balance leans in favour of Egypt, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Anani said he had explained to the Egyptian side how Jordanian exports were having difficulties entering the Egyptian and Libyan markets. Reciprocally, Jordan was willing to facilitate a smooth flow of Egyptian goods to its market and Iraq, including agricultural commodities, adding that efforts were under way to resolve the problems facing these incoming exports.

Recently, Anani and his Egyptian counterpart Tareq Qabil discussed economic cooperation, Petra said, adding that Anani requested Cairo to cancel levies on Egypt's imports from Aqaba since it is a special economic zone and not a free-trade zone, which means it is subject to taxes and fees. 

Talks are ongoing with the Jordanian trade office in Algeria to work out a mechanism to boost trade cooperation and exports, in addition to intensifying communication with countries with which trade cooperation is not satisfactory.

The minister said that the industrial sector has an unprecedented chance to increase the volume of exports to the EU under the recent agreement on the rules of origin that removed outstanding obstacles to access European markets. 

Iraqi officials have also assured Jordan that they would open the Turaibil border crossing and that the Iraqi government is serious in its efforts to find sustainable solutions to reduce the energy bill on the industrial sector, according to the deputy premier.

Baghdad has a plan to extend twin gas-oil pipes from Basra to Aqaba, pending improvement in the security situation in the eastern neighbour. 

For his part, Jordan Investment Commission (JIC) President Thabet Al Wir, who attended the meeting, outlined the JIC’s exemptions targeting industrial investors and a three-year strategic plan to promote investments and exports.

Jordan Industrial Estates Company Chief Executive Jalal Al Debei focused in his remarks on the investment incentives in the Muwaqqar Industrial Estate, noting that it houses investments valued at more than JD400 million, providing over 2,600 jobs.