Jordan, Turkey mull better trade ties after Syria border reopened

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz and Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan on Monday discussed means to boost economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries. 

During the meeting, Razzaz and Pekcan discussed the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, which Jordan had previously suspended, and went over means to reach a new plan that achieves joint interests in a balanced way, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The prime minister pointed out that the FTAs that Jordan has entered into with many countries take into consideration the trade balance, protection of local products, technical support and attracting investment. 

In this regard, he said that the FTA with Turkey only focused on the trade side, which posed a big challenge to national industries in light of their inability to compete with Turkish products, in addition to the impact of regional turmoil on domestic businesses. 

The Turkish minister stressed her country’s willingness to increase Jordanian exports to the Turkish market.

The two sides expressed hope that the reopening of the Jaber-Nasib border crossing between Jordan and Syria would help increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries. 

They also underlined the importance of increasing cooperation between the private sectors in both countries to boost investments in various fields.

Deputy Prime Minister Rajai Muasher, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Tareq Hammouri and Turkish Ambassador to Jordan Murad Karagoz attended the meeting.