Jordanian-Palestinian Higher Committee holds preparatory meeting over trade

AMMAN — The preparatory committee of the Joint Jordanian-Palestinian Higher Committee on Tuesday discussed cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic fields, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, chaired by Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah and Palestinian Economy Minister Abeer Odeh, the committee approved the agenda of the higher committee that will convene on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Hani Mulki and his Palestinian counterpart Rami Hamdallah are scheduled to chair the higher committee’s meeting, which will cover the issues agreed upon during the preparatory and the technical committees’ meetings that have been taking place since Sunday.

Qudah expressed hope that the meetings will lead to the removal of obstacles hindering the increase in bilateral trade and the joint economic projects between the two countries.

“Politically and socially, Jordan has to be the strategic trade partner for Palestine,” the minister said, adding that distinctive relations should be translated into increased cooperation between the two countries.

For Jordan, trading with Palestine is not only an economic process, but also a political and nationalist one, according to the minister.

He commended listing Palestine as a member of the Agadir Agreement, which was signed in February 2004 between Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

He noted that the trade value between Jordan and Palestine in 2016 reached $178 million, compared to $156 million in the previous year.

For her part, the Palestinian minister stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation to overcome the obstacles that hinder trade and investments, thanking Jordan for its support to the Palestinian economic sector.