Jordan seeks further development cooperation with Turkey — Mulki

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Tuesday said Jordan wants to strengthen its ties with Turkey in the field of development cooperation to achieve mutual interests. 

The premier made the remark during a meeting with a Turkish delegation representing the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) headed by its Vice President Mithat Yenigün, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

During the meeting with the delegates, Mulki noted that the private sector of Turkey may benefit from the Jordanian-EU agreement on simplified rules of origin, which can also encourage Turkish industries to invest in the Kingdom and export its products to European markets. 

He urged the delegates to benefit from the opportunity, which he described as “historic”, to achieve mutual gains and build partnerships that can contribute to achieving sustainable development. 

He also highlighted the importance of benefitting from the free trade agreement signed between the two countries to increase the joint commercial exchange volume. 

Moreover, Mulki welcomed Turkey‘s use of Aqaba port for shipping Turkish products, noting that the Aqaba Container Terminal has been  classified by the UN as one of the best in the world in terms of efficiency and prices.

Underscoring the importance of cooperation between the private sectors of both countries, Yenigün highlighted the large volume of Turkish investments abroad and the achievements made in the industrial, commercial and tourism sectors. He also mentioned that Turkey has restabilised in the wake of the failed coup attempt last month. 

Also on Tuesday, the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) hosted the delegates, in the presence of the premier who mentioned that there are great opportunities in the construction sector in Jordan.

The government is going to award school and hospital construction projects to the private sector in the future in the same way the Bus Rapid Transit project is being handled, he told the delegates. 

DIEK’s delegates are currently visiting the Kingdom to showcase Turkey’s economic strengths and to stress the solid relations, a JBA statement indicated.  

The delegates also met with Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) Governor Ziad Fariz, who highlighted Jordan’s financial policy and  foreign currency reserves. Fariz also highlighted the country’s support of medium and small-scale enterprises, according to Petra. 

Established in 1986, DEIK seeks to lead and strengthen the foreign economic relations of the Turkish private sector in a myriad of sectors particularly foreign trade, international investment and services, international construction activities and logistics and exploring inward and outward investment opportunities.

As of May 2016, DEIK has 104 founding institutions, 133 business councils, and approximately 1,000 member companies which form these councils, as well as 2,000 representatives from the member companies.