‘Netherlands seeking ways to support Kingdom’

AMMAN — The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag on Saturday met with Jordanian youth to discuss their aspirations and means to support the Jordanian economy.

The minister, who is accompanied by a delegation to follow-up on His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit to The Netherlands earlier this year, said she is here to explore possible ways to support Jordan. 

During a discussion session held at the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation (AHSF), Kaag stressed the international community’s duty towards Jordan as a key host to Syrian refugees.

“Jordan is a regional public good that we need to assist… We cannot ask Jordan to host refugees without providing support and help,” she noted. 

AHSF CEO Valentina Qussisiya noted in her speech that being located “in the middle of a conflict zone”, poses additional economical burdens on the Kingdom. 

Unemployment rates have reached to 18.3 per cent in Jordan, while for females — who constitue 47.1 per cent of the population — the rate has reached 31 per cent, Qussisiya noted. 

Kaag noted that the Dutch government has declared a policy to support Jordan to become more economically stable, based on sustained social cohesion, by studying investments to create jobs. 

The minister noted that her country is seeking to connect with Jordanian companies to expand its investments in the Kingdom, especially in technology, social entrepreneurship, start-ups, agriculture, logistics and energy fields. 

Even though salaries in Jordan are relatively low, the gender pay gap is considered a major challenge, Kaag added, noting that females earn 41 per cent less than males in the private sector, and 28 per cent less in the public sector, Kaag said. 

One participator in the discussion suggested bilateral cooperation between the two countries in education to develop educational programmes in the Jordanian universities through which students can gain practical experience before joining the labour market.