Interbuild Jordan Fair 2014 revives business hopes

AMMAN — Traders, manufacturers and exporters of construction materials from several countries, including Jordan, are eyeing business growth through Interbuild Jordan Fair 2014 which was inaugurated on Monday by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour.

Representatives of companies, who were exhibiting their products in Jordan for the first time, said they pinned great hopes on the fair whose visitors, according to some exhibitors, were not up to expectations on the first day.  

“We are planning to develop good commercial relations by exporting marble items to Jordan and importing lime stone and marble from the Kingdom if prices are competitive.” Sindy Huang, manager of Foshan Ever Rising Trading Company Limited, told The Jordan Times.  

Thirty six members of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)  are exhibiting products at the Indian pavilion which was inaugurated on Monday by India’s Ambassador to Jordan Anil Trigunayat and Industry and Trade Ministry Secretary General Maha Ali.

“In the past, Jordanians used to indirectly acquire Indian products, after they were exported by India to European markets. But today, businessmen are finding more competitive prices by buying directly from India,” FIEO Chairman S.C. Ralhan told The Jordan Times.

“The partnership between India and Jordan is growing due to improvement in quality," said Hani Ghanem, member of the fair organising committee. ”For example, Jordan is buying drilling equipment used in the phosphate industry from India.”

Several representatives from Chinese companies, besides Jordanian manufacturers and real estate specialists are also taking part in the fair. There were also fewer participants from Poland, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Palestine, according to Ghanem.

Rick Xiong, a representative of a Chinese company specialised in timber and wooden industries, expressed frustration with business prospects. 

“Some customers from Jordan said the market is bad at this time, because construction projects are little slow. As such, importers of construction equipment have overstock,” he said, hoping his business will see a turnaround.  

A salesperson working at a Jordanian energy company, underscored the importance of changing customers’ mentality. 

In the past, everyone wanted European products. But some European solar panel companies were forced to shut down recently because they were incapable of competing with the Chinese and Indian products, she said.   

Ahmad Saleh, a Jordanian acting director at a real estate company said he expects good growth this year. 

“Despite political and economic challenges, people have gotten used to such difficulties. These challenges are no longer keeping us behind,” he said, 

The Interbuild Jordan Fair will remain open until Thursday.