Ukraine looks to strengthen cooperation with Jordan — ambassador

AMMAN — Ukraine is keen on boosting its cooperation with Jordan, especially in the economy and education, despite the political tension with Russia, Ukrainian Ambassador to Jordan Sergiy Pasko said Thursday.

The ambassador said Jordan’s exports to Ukraine in the first half of this year were worth over $10 million, an increase of around 82 per cent in comparison with the same period last year, with medical and pharmaceutical products comprising a majority of the exported items.

“Jordanian Al Hikma Pharmaceuticals has representatives in Ukraine and it’s seeking to produce products there,” he told reporters at a press conference marking the 23rd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, celebrated on August 24.

Pasko added that a Ukrainian company that builds electrical generators recently won a $9 million tender floated by the National Electric Power Company, noting that these “high quality” machines are used worldwide. 

The ambassador said around 60 per cent of Ukraine’s exports include iron, wheat, honey, oil and machines. 

Kiev also exports chocolate to Amman and seeks to improve its agricultural produce exports. 

“Ukraine harvests around 56 million tonnes of wheat and corn annually,” he said, noting that his country can cover the Kingdom’s consumption of grain, which reaches around 900,000 tonnes per year.

The Ministry of Higher Education has recently accredited 14 new Ukrainian universities, increasing the number of accredited universities from the East European country to 48, according to Pasko.

He added that Jordan and Ukraine work closely to guarantee the safety of Jordanians studying in his country from “Russian attacks”.

“Jordanian students studying in eastern Ukrainian universities were transferred to other universities in central and western areas,” he told reporters.

Around 3,500 Jordanians are enrolled at Ukrainian universities.

Pasko said he expects the Jordanian-Ukrainian economic cooperation committee to meet by the end of this year for the third time to arrange for further cooperation.

He urged Jordanian businessmen to participate in an economic conference that will be held in Kiev in November, enabling them to take part in investment projects in Ukraine and participate in rebuilding some of the damaged areas.

Pasko noted that the head of the Ukrainian parliament, who will be chosen after elections this fall, is scheduled to visit Jordan at the beginning of next year, praising the stance of the Kingdom’s leadership and people in supporting Ukrainians at the UN General Assembly.