Jordan, Tunisia agree to tap ‘great potential’ of partnership

AMMAN — The Jordanian-Tunisian Higher Committee on Saturday discussed ways to increase trade between the two countries, citing the “great potential” such ties have.  

During the opening of the two-day meeting, Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Yousef Shamali stressed the importance of the committee’s meetings and their role in strengthening the relations between the countries.  

“These meetings represent the deep-rooted relations between [both countries] and show the Kingdom’s interest in sustaining and developing good relations with Tunisia,” he added. 

In the eighth meeting of the joint panel, held at the Industry Ministry, officials from both sides were divided into groups to discuss ways to upgrade the level of cooperation in the economic, industrial, energy, services, political, trade, investment, educational, and agricultural fields.

“It is very important to evaluate bilateral cooperation between our countries and discuss ways to activate and enhance ties through concrete steps,” said Saeeda Hashisha, director of international trade at the Tunisian trade ministry.

Shamali noted that the volume of Jordan-Tunisia trade amounted to nearly $30 million in 2014, and in the third quarter of the current year, such a figure amounted to $18.5 million, where Jordan’s exports to Tunisia reached $12.3 million and its imports from the Arab country around $6.2 million. 

He emphasised the “urgent need” to increase trade volume, underlining a “joint responsibility” to develop workable mechanisms to enhance trade and investment between Jordan and Tunisia.

He cited commonalities between the two countries, noting that both enforce open trade policies and are members of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area.

His Majesty King Abdullah and Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi held a meeting in Amman in October, where His Majesty underlined that Jordan and Tunisia face similar economic challenges, mainly poverty and unemployment, in addition to dealing with refugee issues.

The two sides signed agreements in the fields of civil defence and security, and military cooperation.