Jordanian-Saudi Joint Committee meeting focuses on boosting economic cooperation

AMMAN — The Jordanian-Saudi Joint Committee, headed by Jordanian Minister of Industry and Trade Yousef Shamali and Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Jasser, on Tuesday held a meeting in Amman.

During the meeting, the committee discussed a number of issues aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Jordanian Trade Ministry Media Spokesperson Yanal Barmawi said that a number of agreements were reached in the economic field, inter-trade, free zones, financial markets and transport.

He added that the two ministers signed the minutes of the committee's meetings, in addition to two agreements for cooperation in the fields of media and youth.

Quoting Shamali, a statement by the Jordanian Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the volume of trade between the two countries reached $4.2 billion last year, as the value of Jordanian exports to Saudi Arabia during 2021 amounted to about $1 billion, while the value of Saudi exports to Jordan amounted to about $3.2 billion. 

Shamali stressed that there are more opportunities that can be explored to increase the volume of trade between the countries, calling for “the development of modern foundations and effective frameworks to ensure the development of trade and facilitate the flow of goods and services without any restrictions”.

He also urged benefiting from the opportunities available, especially in the promotion of joint investments, pointing out that Saudi investments are considered one of the highest percentages of foreign investments in the Kingdom, with a value exceeding $12 billion in transport, infrastructure, energy, the financial and commercial sector, and tourism facilities.

He indicated that these investments played an important economic and social role, constituting an added value to the Jordanian economy, and providing many job opportunities for Jordanians.

Shamali affirmed Jordan's keenness to provide “full attention” to these investments, develop and attract more of them by establishing new partnerships, expanding areas of cooperation and agreeing on investments that positively reflect on sustainable development.

Jasser noted that the committee’s work covered all aspects shared by the two countries, whether in the economic, commercial, industrial, investment or educational fields, expressing aspiration to sign a number of agreements aimed to serve common interests.

The preparatory committee of the Jordanian-Saudi Joint Trade Committee was held in Amman on Monday, headed by Secretary General of the Jordanian Ministry of Industry Dana Al Zoubi and Saudi Deputy Minister of Transport Mansour Turki.