Virtual conference on developing Jordanian private sector held

AMMAN — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU), in partnership with the Jordan Europe Business Association (JEBA) held a virtual conference on Wednesday on developing the Jordanian private sector amid the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Minister of Digital Economy & Entrepreneurship Ahmad Hanandeh said in one of the sessions that the ministry has established a legislative environment that empowers the private sector, the main partner in supporting economic development in the Kingdom.

Recent EBRD statistics showed a slow in the Kingdom’s economic growth by 1.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2020 due to measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19.

EBRD representatives highlighted the Jordan-EU agreement related to the simplified rules of origin, which mainly aims at supporting the Kingdom in hosting Syrian refugees by facilitating Jordan’s exports to EU countries, bolstering investment and creating job opportunities for Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

The EBRD, along with the EU, are willing to continue their support to Jordan, EBRD Director in the Middle East reaffirmed.

The head of the EU delegation to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou said that the EU’s future political policies are clear, emphasising green economy, digital transformation, innovation, and economy that serves the interest of the people, all of which serve as a basis for cooperation with Jordan.

The EBRD, ever since it commenced operations in Jordan in 2012, has provided the Kingdom with more than 1.4 billion euros in support for various projects.