Hopes high to boost Jordan, Greece trade relations

AMMAN — The importance of the Greek market for Jordan as a gateway to the Balkans and the EU, and Jordan’s value as a transporter of Greek products to the Arabian Gulf and Iraq were highlighted during a Jordanian-Greek business forum held by the Amman Chamber of Industry on Thursday.

Chamber Chairman Fathi Jaghbir said during the event: “Greece, beyond being a promising market in itself, is a gateway to the Balkans, which comprises many countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Serbia. It is also our entry into the EU, which is united to Jordan through a free trade agreement.”

The event was organised by the Amman Chamber of Industry in cooperation with the Greek embassy.

Maher Mahrouq, the director general of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, said that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries is still “modest, despite the historical relations between the two countries”.

Jordan’s exports to Greece last year, most of which came from the pharmaceutical and plastic industries, did not exceed $9 million, while imports from Greece, mainly consisting of fruits and nuts, amounted to $53 million. 

“We hope that the private sectors in both countries will work together to strengthen the bonds of economic relations between the two nations through the establishment of joint investment projects,” Mahrouq added.

Greek Ambassador to Jordan H.E.Mrs. Eleftheria Galathianaki stressed the importance of the forum, saying that the Greek delegation represents companies from the metal processing industry, construction sector, chemicals, energy infrastructure consultancy, renewable energy, wind energy, building materials, hotel services and tourism sectors.

She added that she hopes the forum, which is being held for the second time, will be “as successful as it was in 2016, forming strong partnerships between the participants”.

The event saw bilateral communication among businessmen, with each party providing the other with the laws, customs and tax legislation its respective country.