King urges industrial sector to build on free trade agreements

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday urged the industrial sector to build on free trade agreements, stressing the importance of increasing the sector’s competitiveness and stimulating exports.

King Abdullah, during a meeting with sector representatives at Al Husseiniya Palace, noted that Jordanian industries have witnessed success stories despite challenges, highlighting the sector’s key role in meeting local demand for basic goods throughout the COVID-19 pandemic without interruption, according to a Royal Court statement.

At the meeting, part of a series of meetings with private sector representatives, His Majesty stressed the importance of moving forward with public-private sector cooperation to prepare an action plan for economic development, which would include increasing the competitiveness of the industrial sector and addressing the challenges it faces, such as energy and water costs and the need to facilitate governmental procedures.

The King said economic reform goes hand in hand with administrative reform, adding that upholding the rule of law helps in investment promotion.

His Majesty highlighted the outcomes of his recent visit to Iraq, stressing that it was a success with regard to opening the Iraqi market to Jordanian exports, and noting the opportunities offered by the free trade agreements that Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq have with regional and international countries.

Attendees at the meeting discussed the most pressing challenges the industrial sector is facing, especially in terms of tax, customs, and government procedures, offering suggestions to develop the sector and enhance public-private cooperation and partnership.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Industry, Trade, and Supply Minister Maha Al Ali, and Finance Minister Mohamad Al Ississ attended the meeting.