2nd Gulf-Jordanian economic forum begins in Amman

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh on Thursday inaugurated the 2nd Gulf-Jordanian Economic Forum in Amman. 

The event, organised by the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), in cooperation with the Federation of Chambers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), was held under the title “Enhancing the scopes of Gulf-Jordanian cooperation for a better growth and integration”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The meeting aims at further boosting trade, economic and investment ties, as well as forging new partnerships between Jordan and the Arab Gulf states.

Sessions will discuss means to achieve economic integration between the two sides, reconstruction, role of business entrepreneurs, as well as investment opportunities in Jordan and the Gulf countries.

The forum will also include two workshops on investment opportunities, with the first set to address investment in the knowledge sector and digital economy for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), learning and training in preparation for the fourth industrial revolution. 

The second workshop will focus on investment opportunities for SMEs in the industrial field. 

Jordan’s exports to Arab Gulf states stood at JD1.32 billion in 2016, while imports amounted to JD2.53 billion.

Jordan’s exports to GCC countries stood at JD455 million in the first five months of this year, while imports amounted to JD1.11 billion.

In his opening remarks, Shehadeh referred to His Majesty King Abdullah’s efforts to attract investments, noting that political security and stability has enabled Jordan to be a centre for international investments, as well as a regional hub to support administrative and technical operations of multinational companies in addition to being a gateway for reconstruction projects in Iraq and Syria.

Chairman of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Senator Nael Kabariti, expressed hope that the forum would come up with a new vision on the future of Arab economic relations, which constitutes a “model” for a pan-Arab economic integration that Arab people aspire for.

Kabariti added that Jordan’s economic strengths are supported by its security, stability and safety, in addition to a geographical location that qualifies it to be a regional hub for trade and services.

Abdulrahman Oteishan, deputy chairman of the Federation of Chambers of the GCC, said it was time to search for all means to enhance Jordanian-Gulf relations, calling for activating the role of the private sectors in Jordan and the GCC.

Khalifa Ibri, assistant secretary general for economic and development affairs at the GCC secretariat general, said that the “deep-rooted” relations between both sides constitute a solid foundation that can be utilised to reap more benefits for Jordan and all GCC countries.