Jordanian ministerial delegation talks economic cooperation in Algeria

AMMAN — A Jordanian ministerial delegation, currently in Algeria, met with a number of Algerian ministers on Monday to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two nations. 

The two sides reached an agreement regarding a roadmap to boost cooperation in the economy, trade and investment for the 2023-2025 period, or until the meetings of the joint Jordanian-Algerian committee are held. The roadmap aims to fulfil the vision and directives of the two governments, as well as realise the results of His Majesty King Abdullah's visit to Algeria in December.

The roadmap highlights key projects to expand trade exchanges, inter-investment volume and sectoral cooperation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The roadmap entails launching the Algerian-Jordanian Businessmen Council, ratifying trade and investment agreements and convening meetings between economic experts and businesspeople from the two nations to discuss potential joint ventures.

The officials also decided to expedite ongoing projects and look into new opportunities in priority sectors such as energy, mining, culture, industry, agriculture, transport, tourism, handicrafts, labour and employment, healthcare and social security.

The two parties also decided to hold meetings of the current sectoral committees before the end of this year. Both sides also noted that the ninth session of the Jordanian-Algerian Joint Committee will be held in Amman in June. 

Moreover, sector-specific technical committees or collaborative teams will be established to investigate and monitor bilateral cooperation in areas of shared interest.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply and Minister of Labour Yousef Shamali said in a statement on Tuesday that the Jordanian-Algerian talks reflect a shared desire to boost bilateral cooperation in various fields to serve common interests and build on the outcomes of the Royal visit to Algeria.

Shamali reiterated the importance of forming multiple partnerships in order to address food security, supply chains, emergency situations and global geopolitical factors.

He added that a direct flight between Amman and Algeria is expected to be launched as of March 9, with two flights per week operated by Royal Jordanian Airlines, followed by two flights operated by Air Algerie.

In the first 11 months of 2022, Jordanian exports to Algeria totalled $93.5 million, marking an increase of 8.1 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2021. The Kingdom's imports from Algeria amounted to $138.5 million, up by 52.7 per cent compared with the same period in 2021.