EU deal ‘unprecedented opportunity’ for industrial sector — Anani

AMMAN — The private sector must take the initiative in order to benefit from the Jordanian-EU agreement on simplified rules of origin, a government official said on Thursday. 

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Jawad Anani said the recently-signed agreement with the EU gave the industrial sector an “unprecedented” opportunity to increase the volume of its exports to the EU, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Speaking at a workshop organised by the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), Anani said the deal also addresses exporting problems that had previously limited Jordan’s access to European markets.

The deal entered into effect on July 20 and will be valid until the end of 2026, the minister said, adding that it would help boost the Kingdom's economy by encouraging investments and creating more jobs for Jordanians.

The rules of origin will be applied to Jordanian exports that are manufactured in designated development zones and industrial estates in Jordan.

No less than 15 per cent of the manpower in any factory that will export to the EU under this agreement should be Syrian and this rate will be raised to 25 per cent in the third year of the agreement.

Anani said the government would support the promotion of Jordanian products abroad, and would organise trade exhibitions. 

JCI President Adnan Abul Ragheb expressed the chamber's keenness to cooperate and coordinate with all relevant institutions to create plans and programmes to help the industrial sector boost the volume of its exports to EU markets, Petra added.

Abul Ragheb called for technical support tools to be provided on the requirements of exports and for the development of programmes to attract Syrian jobseekers and qualify them to work in Jordanian factories.