Dead Sea - Investment Minister Muthana Gharaibeh inaugurated the first Jordan-Gulf Investment Conference at the Dead Sea on Wednesday, marking a key initiative to strengthen economic partnerships between the Kingdom and GCC states.
اضافة اعلان
The event, held under the patronage of King Abdullah II, convenes at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre under the theme "Partnerships, Investment, Economic Integration." The conference breaks new ground by hosting the 65th GCC Chambers' Board Meeting - the first time this body meets outside Gulf territory. Gulf investments currently dominate foreign investment in Jordan at 40%, spanning vital sectors from industry and technology to agriculture and tourism.
In his address, Gharaibeh highlighted Jordan's emergence as a strategic gateway to $50 trillion worth of markets through its extensive free trade network. The Kingdom has particularly distinguished itself in the technology sector, ranking 11th globally in digital talent availability and witnessing a 19% growth in digital employment.
GCC Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi emphasized the robust trade ties, with bilateral exchanges exceeding $36 billion between 2020 and 2023. Gulf investments in the Amman Stock Exchange have surpassed $4 billion, leading all foreign investments.
The three-day gathering brings together experts and officials to explore opportunities in key growth sectors, including green hydrogen projects, water resources, tourism, and high-value industries.
The conference aims to build on existing partnerships while charting new paths for economic collaboration between Jordan and its Gulf partners.
The scale of Gulf-Jordan economic integration was further underscored by Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Rawas, who revealed that Gulf investments in Jordan have reached $60 billion.
The GCC Chambers President emphasized the multifaceted nature of these investments, which extend beyond traditional sectors into emerging fields such as food security and manufacturing.
The human capital exchange between Jordan and Gulf states continues to flourish, with approximately 100,000 Jordanian professionals contributing to Gulf economies while sending home $3.3 billion in annual remittances.
This dynamic relationship includes growing numbers of Gulf tourists visiting Jordan and Gulf students enrolled in Jordanian universities.
Looking to the future, Jordan Chamber of Commerce President Khalil Haj Tawfiq announced plans to make the conference an annual event, with future gatherings to be held in Aqaba.
The port city's selection aims to showcase its investment potential and strengthen regional economic integration.
The conference, convening amid regional challenges, places special emphasis on youth development and sustainable economic practices. Green economy initiatives, particularly in solar energy and renewable power projects, feature prominently in discussions about future cooperation.
Both sides stressed the importance of creating innovative employment opportunities for the region's young talent pool, viewing this as essential for long-term economic stability and growth.
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