JCC, Syrian delegation review approach towards easing trade movement

AMMAN — The Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) and the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce (FSCC) on Wednesday agreed on intensifying efforts to overcome obstacles facing the trade movement between the two countries and return to previous levels.

Both sides, during a meeting held by JCC with a Syrian commercial delegation that is currently visiting the Kingdom, highlighted the importance of availing new prospects for economic cooperation and surmounting challenges that hinder trade exchanges, mainly those pertaining to transit, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

JCC President Nael Kabariti said that the delegation’s visit to the Kingdom is part of efforts exerted by the two countries’ economic sectors to embark on a new era of commercial partnership and reach higher levels that can meet the aspirations and ambitions of the two peoples.

Kabariti noted that resuming Jordanian-Syrian commercial activities represents a joint interest, especially that Syria is an important passage for Jordanian trade activities with Europe and other neighbouring countries, in terms of exportation, importation and transit.

In this regard, he said that the commercial exchange between Jordan and Syria is “very low”, requiring efforts to increase it. Jordanian exports to Syria in 2020 totalled $49 million, while the value of the Kingdom’s imports from its northern neighbour stood at $45 million.

The chairman stressed that the increasing international sea freight costs require both countries to work together to overcome the impacts of hikes on the prices of imported goods, calling on the Syrian side to enhance exports through Aqaba port and on the Jordanian to enhance exports through the Tartus port.

For his part, FSCC President Mohammad Lahham pointed out that transit is vital for exchanging commodities and transporting goods for other countries through Syria and Jordan, highlighting the importance for speeding up procedures to address obstacles in light of “fierce” competition in the region.

Also speaking during the meeting, Director General of the Syrian Jordanian Free Zone Company Irfan Khasawneh noted that the company early in the year started rehabilitating the zone, where 90 per cent of the work has been completed.

Khasawneh added that there are some 590 commercial, industrial and logistical contracts over an area of 1,500 dunums out of a total 6,500 dunums available for investments.