Tender for Jordanian-Iraqi economic estate to be floated this year — Shamali

AMMAN — This year will see the launch of a developer's tender to implement a joint Jordanian-Iraqi economic estate, according to Minister of Industry, Trade, Supply, and Minister of Labour Yousef Shamali.

During a Baghdad-hosted ceremony held on the sidelines of the Jordan-Iraq Business Forum, Shamali said that the tender for the project, which will be located on the border of the two countries, will be open to Jordanian and Iraqi companies as well as the international community.

The ceremony was organised by the Jordanian chambers of industry and trade and the Jordan Businessmen Association, in partnership with the Iraqi Business Council in Amman, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The minister noted that the Iraqi market is the second greatest importer of Jordanian exports, adding that trade between the two countries increased by 62 per cent during the first 10 months of 2022. 

The Jordanian government is eager to provide all facilities to enable Iraqi business owners and investors to take advantage of the economic opportunities available in the Jordanian economy, the minister said, highlighting opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of renewable energy, mining, ICT, healthcare, vocational education and tourism.

During the ceremony, which also featured the participation of Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals Khalid Battal Al Najm, Shamali said that the Jordanian economic delegation's visit to Baghdad sends “a strong message” that the business community believes in the importance of strategic relations between Jordan and Iraq.

President of Baghdad Chamber of Commerce, Firas Al Hamdani, emphasised the importance of the Jordanian-Iraqi forum in strengthening economic, investment and commercial ties between both countries, and emphasised the need for a “genuine invitation” to establish economic projects in Iraq with “a new vision and approach”.