Easing trade obstacles tops Amman, Damascus chambers of commerce talks

AMMAN — The Amman Chamber of Commerce’s (ACC) board of directors has called for easing obstacles and procedures imposed by the Syrian authorities on Jordanian exports.

During a meeting with representatives from the Damascus Chamber of Commerce (DCC) on Saturday, ACC's board of directors called on the guest delegation to discuss with their government facilitating the transit of Jordanian goods to Syria, so as to lift all import restrictions and relax requirements, mainly on imports and trucking-related fees. 

Talks also went over establishing joint channels of dialogue to remove all trade obstacles, especially as Jordanian traders have not reaped the potential benefit of reopening the Jaber border crossing between the Kingdom and Syria.

The board also highlighted the Kingdom's strategic location for the economy of its southern neighbour, Syria, drawing attention to excluding Jordan from any decisions that affect the two countries' trade, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Sunday. 

Touching on the Jordanian-Syrian private sectors' "solid" ties, ACC President Khalil Hajj Tawfiq said that the Kingdom's exports to Syria have increased by 22 per cent over the May-August period, to reach JD18 million, in comparison with the same period of 2018, while imports dropped by 27.6 per cent, with a total value of JD8 million.

The recent Syrian government decisions have been driven by "exceptional conditions", said Hassan Azqoul, member of the DCC, noting that the intention behind these measures is protecting the Syrian economy, while stressing that Jordan is Syria's gateway to the Gulf markets.

Expressing the DCC's keenness on increasing trade exchange between the two countries, Azqoul extended an official invitation to the ACC's board of directors to visit Damascus to identify barriers to trade and seek solutions.