AMMAN — The
West Asia-North Africa (WANA) Institute Tuesday hosted an event on the current challenges of EU-Jordan trade relations, and prospects for expanding them.
اضافة اعلان
The event is part of a program called the “
EuroMeSCo Back to the Field Session,” which aims to bring together expert stakeholders from the EU-Jordan trade community, according to a statement from the institute.
The WANA Institute held the session with focus on trade cooperation through an open and evidence-based dialogue and the main obstacles for growth.
The event gave experts from a report produced by the program the opportunity to present their contributions and the publication to inform local stakeholders.
The event was styled as a debate between three EU and Jordanian panellists, followed by remarks from members of the EU-Jordan trade community stationed in the EU.
The contributors discussed a range of issues concerning the current strengths and limitations of the trade relationship, including existing trade agreements, EU demand for Jordanian products, and Jordanian export marketing strategies. The event devoted special discussion to Jordan’s apparel, pharmaceutical, and produce sectors.
In her opening remarks, Sirpa Tulla, head of economic, infrastructure, and trade facilitation at the EU delegation to Jordan emphasized strong EU-Jordanian ties.
“The EU-Jordan partnership priorities are to be renewed shortly and we start a new budget cycle of our development cooperation. A stronger, more inclusive and sustainable trade and investment partnership with Jordan is a paramount interest to us,” Tulla said.
“Moreover, in the context of the EU trade policy review and the joint communication on the southern neighborhood, the EU will explore the interest of the neighbors, to upgrade the trade and investment relations between us and explore possible sustainable investment agreements.”
Omar Rifai, director-general of the WANA Institute heralded the dialogue as an important step towards reaching the EU and Jordan’s highest objectives in trade and mutual prosperity. Rifai called for more flexible processes and procedures for Jordanian manufacturers to penetrate the EU market.
The event’s moderator, Kareem Sharabi, presented findings from the EuroMeSCo survey conducted earlier this year, which asked Jordanians, along with other respondents in the EU and MENA regions about their expectations of interregional relations.
Most Jordanian respondents answered that the EU’s added value compared to other global players was its contribution to sustainable and inclusive economic development. Sharabi mentioned that the persistence of the high trade deficit between the two parties even after the latest trade agreements indicates the need to better identify current limitations, a main objective of the event.
The event brought together Jordanian and EU government officials, as well as private sector stakeholders who work in promoting Jordanian exports to the EU.
Read more Business
.jpg)
.jpg)
