Tijara Coalition vital in boosting Jordan-US economic cooperation — Ali

AMMAN — The National Tijara Coalition plays an important role in solidifying economic cooperation between Jordan and the US, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali said on Tuesday. 

The minister’s remarks came during the sixth annual meeting of the National Tijara Coalition to set the strategic priorities for the years 2021-2022, according to a statement from the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan).

The meeting was attended by US Ambassador to Jordan Henry Wooster, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan Rose Alissi and a number of officials and members of the coalition.

The National Tijara Coalition is comprised of 34 entities from the public and private sectors, which aims to work together to achieve economic growth by strengthening the Jordan-US economic relations. 

It serves as a platform for dialogue, exchange of expertise and joint work among members on ways to leverage the opportunities offered by the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, the statement said.

Ali highlighted the role of the coalition in increasing the volume of bilateral trade and leveraging from the opportunities offered by the free trade agreement, as Jordan was the first Arab country and the fourth in the world to sign a free trade agreement with the United States, which contributed to a significant increase in the volume of Jordanian exports to the US market.

She also stressed the importance of His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit to the US last month and his talks with the US President Joe Biden, senior officials and members of Congress.

The minister said the outcomes of the visit will enhance economic cooperation between the countries. 

She also expressed the ministry’s support towards increasing intra-regional trade between Jordan and the US.

On his part, Wooster said: “We are eager to dispel the myth that the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement is only for large firms.  Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Jordan and the United States are eligible to take advantage of the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement. The Tijara Coalition will be central to our efforts.”

Fathi Al Jaghbeer, chairman of Jordan Chamber of Industry said: “The United States is Jordan’s top trading partner, as Jordan exports have achieved a significant increase after the US Jordan Free Trade Agreement entered into force.” 

Jaghbeer also urged industrial and service provider companies to explore and leverage the opportunities offered by the agreement through the programmes and activities of the National Tijara Coalition.

Tarek Tabbaa, AmCham-Jordan board member, deputising for Mohammed Bataineh, AmCham-Jordan Chairman said: “The joint work in unifying efforts between the public and private sectors is a way to achieve tangible results at the level of companies and to facilitate investment and trade opportunities offered by the US-Jordan free trade agreement, create job opportunities, accelerate economic growth, in addition to formulating policies for an enabling business environment”.

The meeting discussed priorities and strategic measures for the next two years to help Jordanian companies in the industrial and service sector recover from the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.