The Jordan-Gulf Economic Forum aims to boost trade and economic relations…

AMMAN — The third Jordan-GCC Economic Forum kicked off Tuesday in Amman, bringing together officials and business representatives from Jordan and GCC member states to discuss prospects for developing economic relations.اضافة اعلان

Organized under the theme “New Horizons for Economic and Investment Cooperation”, the forum aims to advance the strategic objectives and interests of Jordan and members of the Arab regional grouping, according to a statement from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply.

Businessmen, investors, heads of business associations and chambers of commerce, as well as representatives of stakeholders from the Gulf government and Jordan are attending the two-day event, which the ministry described as a milestone in Jordan-GCC cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Youssef Shamali told the forum that trade between Jordan and the GCC reached $6.6 billion in 2021, of which $1.7 billion in Jordanian exports to the GCC and $4.9 billion in imports.

The Minister said that the biggest foreign investments in the Kingdom come from the Gulf and that capital from the Gulf has benefited the Jordanian economy and created more jobs for Jordanians.

He pointed out that bringing Arab nations together to form a powerful economic bloc would enable them to improve their exports, increase their production, create new employment opportunities for young people and achieve greater integration into the world. Mondial economy.

President of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, Nael Kabariti, stressed that the new economic reality requires new transformations and new models, and that the forum is a continuation of efforts to build bridges of cooperation and integration between Jordan and the GCC countries.

He warned of an impending “global economic tsunami”, stressing that Arab countries must be “resilient and agile, and should build strong economic alliances if they are to weather the storm”.

“We are all aware that there is no place in the future for closed nations. The only path available is to embrace globalization, rapid technological development and the post-fourth industrial revolution,” said he declared.

Gulf Chambers Federation Chairman Ajlan bin Abdulaziz Al-Ajlan said he hoped the forum would open up new horizons for economic and trade relations between the Gulf States and Jordan, and stressed that the strengthening pan-Arab economic cooperation was a way to achieve sustainable development. In the region.

Ajlan also said that GCC countries’ investments in Jordan are estimated at $40 billion in various productive, service and industrial sectors, with an annual trade volume of around $6 billion.

GCC Secretary General Nayef Hajraf said Jordan is one of the council’s top trading partners, with a trade volume of over $57 billion between 2013 and 2020.

He added that Gulf investments in the Amman financial market ranked first among Arab and foreign investments, exceeding $2 billion, while Jordanian investments in Gulf stock markets exceeded $700 million. .

Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh met with GCC Secretary General Nayef Hajraf and his accompanying delegation on the sidelines of the forum, and stressed that Jordan is committed to cementing relations with GCC countries and expand areas of joint cooperation to advance common interests.

He stressed that regional and global challenges, as well as the coronavirus pandemic, call for greater pan-Arab cooperation and integration, especially in the areas of food and medical security.

Khasawneh also said that Gulf countries have the highest volume of foreign investment in Jordan, stressing that his government welcomes more capital from the Gulf and will continue to provide all necessary facilities for current and future investments.

The Prime Minister underlined that the third Jordan-GCC Economic Forum is an opportunity to improve communication and networking between the business communities of Jordan and member states of the Arab bloc.

Khasawneh commended the GCC ambassadors for their contributions to advancing joint cooperation and strengthening Jordan-GCC ties.

Hajraf said the leaders of the member states of the council have a “genuine desire” to strengthen strategic ties with Jordan, saying, “We seek to strengthen joint relations towards economic integration in all areas.”

He noted that more than 400 people are attending this year’s edition of the forum, a figure that demonstrates the commitment of the GCC and Jordan to boosting economic cooperation and facilitating trade.

Ambassadors from GCC member states in Amman, as well as a number of Jordanian and Gulf officials, attended the meeting.

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