Regional Business Networking Forum kicks off in Amman

AMMAN — The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, in cooperation with UNIDO and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), on Monday launched the Regional Business Networking Forum.

The two-day event will see the participation of over 100 companies hailing from Jordan, Italy and the region according to a ministry statement.

In her inaugural address, Minister of Investment, and Acting Minister of Industry Trade and Supply and Minister of Labour Kholoud Saqqaf, said that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hold the potential for greater production and marketing, highlighting the networking capabilities of SMEs to access regional and global markets

Saqqaf emphasised that Jordan has implemented many economic reforms to provide a conducive investment climate in line with the Economic Modernisation Vision, notably the establishment of the Ministry of Investment as the main point of reference for investment in the Kingdom.

Saqqaf also highlighted economic reform efforts such as the new Investment Environment Law and the public-private partnership project, which aim to attract investments and integrate regional and international markets.

Saqqaf expressed her appreciation to the Italian government for funding the project titled “Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs in Jordan to provide job opportunities for youth and women”, and to UNIDO for implementing the project in cooperation with the ministry.

The most prominent outcomes of the project include the launch of the Jordan Industry Observatory platform, as well as an industry and competitiveness report.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, Dana Zu’bi, reviewed the project’s achievements, the work mechanisms in the first competitiveness report for the industrial sector’s performance and the analysis of the value chain in sectors with export potential.

Zu’bi commended UNIDO’s efforts, in cooperation with the Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office, in investment promotion, also praising Italy’s role as an intermediary in forming agreements between developed and developing countries in implementing the activities.

The first day of the forum featured the participation of the Italian ambassador, the head of AICS in Amman, and included discussions, bilateral meetings and a review of the projects implemented. 

The second day of the forum will see field visits to a number of garment, food and chemical factories.