Khaberni - National exports to the Iraqi market continued to increase after recording a 12% increase during the first seven months of the current year compared to the same period last year, according to the latest foreign trade figures issued by the Department of Statistics.
According to official figures, the value of national exports to Iraq reached 525 million dinars by the end of July (July) last year compared to 470 million dinars, thus recording an increase of 55 million dinars.
The Iraqi market accounted for about 24% of the total national exports to the markets of the Greater Arab Trade Area, valued at 2.214 billion dinars by the end of July (July) last year, while they constituted about 10% of the total exports amounting to 5.268 billion dinars.
In turn, the official in charge of the export file to Iraq at the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Eng. Ihab Qadiri, attributed the increase to a set of main factors, most notably the enhancement of Jordanian-Iraqi economic and trade relations, alongside the joint efforts of the public and private sectors to simplify procedures and reduce administrative and customs obstacles, indicating that the Iraqi market is one of the most important strategic markets for national exports.
Qadiri pointed out that the prominent goods that contributed to the increase in exports to Iraq included cleaning products and detergents, electrical wires and connectors, fertilizers, ready-to-use medications, food industries, feed concentrates, paints, cut meats and poultry, and plastic pipes and tubes, confirming that this diversity reflects the development of the Jordanian industrial base and its ability to meet the growing needs of the Iraqi market.
Qadiri said, "The continued growth of exports reflects the depth of economic partnership between the two brotherly countries, and the efforts made by various parties to facilitate trade movement and enhance the presence of the Jordanian product in the Iraqi market."
He referred to the Jordan Chamber of Industry playing a pivotal role in supporting this orientation through organizing specialized exhibitions and joint economic and trade forums, which provided effective platforms for Jordanian exporters to display the quality and diversity of their products in front of Iraqi importers and traders, in addition to organizing the Jordanian-Iraqi Business Forum on the sidelines of the Baghdad International Fair which, in turn, contributed to expanding the network of relationships between businessmen from both sides and enhancing opportunities for partnership and trade cooperation.
Qadiri confirmed that the chamber works on several levels to support exporters, including trade promotion, facilitating direct contact with Iraqi partners, and addressing the logistical and administrative challenges faced by them, which contributes to enhancing the competitive capacity of Jordanian products and sustaining their presence in the Iraqi market, confirming that the private sector views Iraq as a partner in various fields towards achieving economic integration.
Qadiri revealed that the chamber plans to establish a permanent exhibition for Jordanian industries in the capital Baghdad, to be a continuous platform for promoting the national product, and facilitating communication between Jordanian exporters and Iraqi traders and consumers.
He explained that the chamber does not only act as an organizer or facilitator but is considered a strategic partner for exporters, as it works with them on building real competitive capabilities and elevating export performance towards larger and deeper markets.
He pointed to the presence of export opportunities estimated at more than 250 million dollars in sectors of food, pharmaceutical, plastic, packaging and other national industries known for their quality and credibility.
