MoU signed with the Netherlands to boost bilateral agricultural trade

AMMAN — The Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruits and Vegetables (JEPA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Netherlands embassy in Amman to promote, strengthen and expand trade between enterprises of both countries, an agricultural representative said on Thursday.

The memorandum of understanding aims at enhancing and facilitating trade between Jordan and the Netherlands, JEPA vice president, Zuhair Jweihan said.

“The memorandum paves the way for further promoting and strengthening of trade, industry and economic cooperation… between companies, enterprises, entrepreneurs and organisations of Jordan and the Netherlands,” Jweihan told The Jordan Times.

He noted that, under the MoU, both parties will commit to sharing information on trade, industry, investment opportunities and economic cooperation.

In addition, the Dutch embassy in Amman will facilitate the issuance of multiple entry visas for JEPA members through the VFS Global, which provides outsourcing and technology services for governments and diplomatic missions.

“This privilege that is given to JEPA is due to the strong relations it shares with the Dutch embassy, its history of success in supporting all Dutch projects in Jordan, and the fact that JEPA has the most diverse members under its umbrella; ranging from farmers, exporters, supply companies, retailers and logistic companies,” according to a JEPA statement.

The statement indicated that, over the past two years, Holland has supported several agricultural projects in Jordan, including supporting hydroponic agriculture, setting up a coaching programme for exporters and establishing a wholesale market for cut flowers, among other projects that seek to support the sector.

JEPA announced last month that Jordanian exporters and producers of fruits and vegetables will hold exhibits and enroll in training programmes and study tours to high-end foreign markets, under a plan to uplift the agricultural sector.

The training and exploration of new marketing portals will begin in September, following a letter of intent signed between the Embassy of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Agriculture, JEPA, and the Dutch Centre for Trade Promotion.

The exploration of new markets should end by the middle of next year and the plan outlines the export potential for fresh Jordanian products to enter high-end markets, including Europe, Russia, the Gulf and the Far East.