Jordan-Italy forum calls for harnessing business potential with ‘clear plan’

AMMAN — Participants at a business forum on Monday called for having a “clear action plan” to enhance economic relations between the two countries. 

During the inauguration of the Jordanian-Italian Business Forum, organised by the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), participants said that the volume of commercial and investment initiatives between the two countries needs more efforts to utilise the opportunities available. 

The forum seeks to acquaint the Italian business community with the various economic and commercial opportunities in the Kingdom, mainly in the educational, ICT, industrial, tourism, renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Assistant Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Imad Tarawneh said that trade and investment volumes are still below expectation and do not reflect the potential available in both countries.

JCC President Nael Kabariti said that Italy is the second biggest European exporter to Jordan and the third biggest European destination for Jordanian exports, noting that the trade exchange volume in 2018 stood at 800 million euros.  

Fresh and frozen vegetables, olive oil, pesticides, clothes and embroideries, furniture and pipes are among the main Jordanian exports to the Italian market, according to Petra.

 Chairman of the Joint Italian Arab Chamber of Commerce Cesare Trevisani said that the chamber is keen on supporting and enhancing its partnership with Jordan in various fields with the aim of boosting economic cooperation between Rome and Amman.

Italian Ambassador to Jordan Fabio Cassese said that Italy and Jordan are “strong partners” with ties extending back more than 70 years, stressing his country’s keenness to benefit from investment opportunities in the Kingdom’s most accelerating sectors, such as the water, energy, infrastructure, health, agricultural and ICT fields.