Anani praises ‘dynamic, adaptable’ beverage industry

AMMAN — The beverages sector will find innovative ways to overcome obstacles because it is a dynamic industry skilled at reinventing itself, said Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Jawad Anani on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening of the sixth Arab Beverages Conference and Exhibition, Anani said the drinks industry in Jordan and the region is “large and advanced” despite challenges related to health and safety.

Anani urged governments to do more to help the sector, which he said makes a “substantial” contribution to the Treasury through taxes and fees. 

“The government and its partners in the private sector seek to come up with more effective measures to boost local production, participate in commercial exhibitions and hold conferences and lectures that bring together the business community,” he said at the event organised by the Arab Beverages Association (ABA) and the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI).

The minister added that the Kingdom’s free trade agreements with several commercial partners had opened markets of some 1 billion customers, in addition to the deal with the EU granting eased rules of origin for Jordanian exports. 

Monther Al Harthi, head of the ABA, said the unification of some standards for beverages between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan last year would solve some of the obstacles to trade among these countries.

Meanwhile, some challenges still exist on the regional scale, he said, citing unstable regulations governing trade and taxation, in addition to “negative and incorrect” information about beverages circulated on social media platforms, as well as violations of production regulations by some producers.

“Collaboration and building a close connection between private, public and educational research institutions will help in overcoming these obstacles,” said Harthi, who is also the president of the conference. 

He said the conference offered a chance to exchange knowledge and expertise on various topics, including consumer trends, production methods and health-related issues.

Adnan Abu Ragheb, JCI chairman, agreed that conferences were an opportunity to stay up-to-date with industry trends and to enhance innovative capabilities to meet consumers’ needs. 

There are 28 beverage factories in Jordan, producing water, juice, dairy, soft drinks and hot beverages, Abu Ragheb said, adding that these factories strive to meet the highest standards and to utilise the newest technologies.

The local and regional markets have “promising” opportunities to develop beverage production and enhance their exports, he added.

The packaging industry also plays an important complementary role in preserving beverages during transport, storage and export, the JCI official noted. 

Over 250 participants from regional and international countries are attending the two-day conference, including experts, representatives of industrial bodies and beverage companies and researchers. 

The event, which is taking place in Amman for the second time, was previously held in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.