'Jordan eager to enhance commercial ties with Iraq'

AMMAN — Trade exchange between Jordan and Iraq reached JD426.6 million in 2019, a figure that “does not reflect” the close economic and political relationship between the two countries, President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry Fathi Jaghbir said on Wednesday.

Jaghbir's remarks came during a meeting with Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan Haider Athari, in which he expressed his hopes that economic relations between Jordan and Iraq will develop further during the coming period, adding that the Amman Chamber of Industry is seeking to increase Jordanian exports to Iraq.

He noted that the opportunities for cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors are “vast”, stressing that the expertise available on both sides contributes to achieving industrial integration, especially following an agreement to establish a joint industrial zone, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Jaghbir added that, during a recent visit of a Jordanian economic delegation to Iraq, an agreement was signed between the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry and the Iraqi Business Council to establish an Iraqi-Jordanian businessmen council with the aim of enhancing trade exchange between the two countries.

For his part, Athari affirmed the Iraqi government's keenness to strengthen relations with Jordan on all levels, as shown by the multiple visits of Iraqi officials to the Kingdom.

The ambassador said that the Iraqi embassy is continuing its efforts to strengthen economic relations between the two countries by facilitating the entry of Jordanian industrialists and businesspeople into Iraq to hold meetings with their Iraqi counterparts.

Jordanian exports to Iraq reached their peak in 2013, totalling JD882 million, Petra reported.

They witnessed a significant decline to reach JD330.8 million in 2016 and JD367.8 million in 2017 after the closure of the Trebil border crossing and the Iraqi government's measures to impose customs duties on imports to Iraq.

Jordanian exports began growing again in 2018 and 2019, reaching JD469.4 million in 2018 and JD426.6 million in 2019.