Khaberni - The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Engineer Yaarub Al-Qudah, invited German business owners and companies to consider Jordan as a gateway for investment and a main center for reconstruction projects in Syria, while taking advantage of the incentives and benefits provided by the Mafraq Development Area to investors.
In return, Minister Al-Qudah, during his participation in the Jordanian-German business forum held last Tuesday evening in Amman by the Amman Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of working to make Germany a main gateway for Jordanian exports to the entire European Union.
He pointed out that Jordanian exports to Syria exceeded 250 million dinars in the first half of this year, which is the highest level in the past thirty years, with an increase of more than four times compared to the same period last year.
He stated: This growth reflects a real and growing momentum in the Jordanian-Syrian economic relations and confirms that Jordan has become a pivotal economic destination in the region.
He referred to the opening of the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing, which connects Syria with Turkey, in one direction for re-export purposes four weeks ago, affirming that Jordanian exports of vegetables and fruits to Europe were over 500 million dollars annually before 2014, and there are ongoing efforts to gradually restore these levels.
Minister Al-Qudah confirmed that the national economy is witnessing a clear rise supported by strong performance in various sectors and growing economic partnerships with friendly countries, including Germany, indicating that the presence of the German delegation at the forum reflects the importance of economic cooperation between the two countries,
He said that the partnership with Germany represents an important pillar for enhancing economic growth and opening new investment horizons, praising the solid relations between the two countries, and welcoming "friends from Germany to be future partners of the Kingdom in enhancing development and investment."
He explained that the Jordanian economy is moving at a steady pace, noting that the economic growth rate reached about 2.8 percent during the first half of this year, which is higher than the International Monetary Fund's projections which estimated growth at less than 2.3 percent, pointing out that expectations indicate that the Kingdom will maintain this level of growth by the end of the year, and perhaps achieve a higher rate.
Regarding Jordanian exports, Al-Qudah pointed out that they have increased by more than 8.5 percent since the beginning of the year until the end of last July, despite the difficult regional conditions, noting that this percentage is considered high in the context of international trade and is achieved by only a few countries.
Minister Al-Qudah said that the container handling volume at the Aqaba Port increased during this year by more than 33 percent, reflecting the return of activity in the transport and transit sector, which was among the pillars of the national economy in the 1980s and 1990s, emphasizing the resilience of the national economy and its ability to adapt and grow despite regional and international challenges.
Investment Minister Dr. Tarek Abu Ghazaleh confirmed that Jordan is seeking to build a strategic partnership with Germany based on economic, scientific, and technical cooperation, noting that relations between the two countries are continuously evolving and hold promising opportunities in various sectors.
He explained that the trade balance between Jordan and Germany holds great potential for improvement, and the investment field between the two sides is promising and expandable in the future, noting that Jordan is distinguished by having a human base of qualified and highly competent individuals, with one engineer for every forty Jordanian citizens.
Abu Ghazaleh pointed out that the German Jordanian University represents a successful model in transferring the German educational and professional experience to Jordan, confirming that the Kingdom is looking forward to expanding this model through the establishment of schools and training centers that enhance applied and vocational education.
He indicated that Jordan has made tangible progress in the renewable energy sector, where it currently constitutes about 29 percent of the total energy used—a feat reflecting the success of national plans and the economic modernization vision launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II, aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable growth.
Abu Ghazaleh explained that Jordan aspires to be a safe gateway for the reconstruction of Syria and development of Iraq, noting that the Kingdom's strategic location and real opportunities in the region make it an ideal destination for German companies looking to expand in the Middle East.
Minister Abu Ghazaleh announced an upcoming Jordanian-European investment conference, the first of its kind, to be held in the second quarter of next year in Amman, to introduce investment opportunities in Jordan and many regional countries.
He stated that the government is planning to issue large investment tenders next year in the transport and energy sectors, explaining that the aim is not only economic development but also extends to achieving social development through the development of areas far from major urban centers.
He confirmed that the investment environment in Jordan has become secure and attractive thanks to legislative and regulatory updates, explaining that the Amended Investment Law of 2022 grants foreign investors the same rights enjoyed by Jordanian investors, and development areas have been equipped to provide highly competitive advantages.
The Investment Minister praised the support of His Royal Highness Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, for training and vocational education programs, asserting that this approach contributes to qualifying Jordanian youth according to labor market needs.
Minister Abu Ghazaleh said that the Ministry of Investment is currently working on updating the national investment map, which will be launched before the end of this year, to include projects and investment opportunities in various sectors, emphasizing that Jordan today balances attracting foreign investment and supporting local investors, believing that local success stories are what encourage foreign investors.
For his part, the President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, Senator Khalil El-Hajj Tawfiq, confirmed that the forum will mark a new beginning for the Kingdom's relations with Germany, which are linked by strong relations in various fields, established by His Majesty King Abdullah II.
He said: "Germany is a friend to Jordan, and there are links and cooperation between private sector institutions in both countries, so we hope that this will contribute to enhancing Jordanian exports in the German market, which still have modest numbers, and investments as well," emphasizing the need for the next phase to bring a different economic beginning between the two parties.
El-Hajj Tawfiq confirmed that they will begin establishing a joint Jordanian-German Business Council between the Amman Chamber of Commerce and the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which will be the cornerstone in developing the economic relations between the two countries.
He pointed out the intention to organize a visit by a Jordanian economic delegation to the capital Berlin and several German cities in the coming months, to present the investment opportunities available in the Kingdom and to explore opportunities that can develop the commercial relations between the two countries.
He invited German business owners and companies to make the Kingdom a center for trade and reconstruction projects in Syria, stressing the importance of the German Embassy in Jordan serving as a contact point between the private sectors of the two countries.
El-Hajj Tawfiq, who also holds the position of the third vice president of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the Arab side, expressed hope that there will soon be many success stories of Jordanian-German partnerships, similar to the German University in Madaba, "and that the Kingdom will receive a share of the German investments in the strategic sector that Jordan plans to implement."
For his part, the President of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Olaf Hoffman, emphasized that Jordan possesses qualities that qualify it to be a regional center for European companies, praising the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II, which seeks to build a stable economic environment based on young and educated competencies.
He said: "What Germany has in building genuine partnerships opens the field for enhancing economic cooperation with Jordan," asserting, "We have seen in Jordan an encouraging work environment and a stimulating tax and customs system, making it an ideal starting point for German companies to explore the markets of the region."
He added that King Abdullah II's vision focuses on empowering the youth and building an outstanding base of competencies, explaining that the understanding between the Jordanian and German sides has reached a high level over the years, enabling the parties to manage and successfully implement major projects.
He talked about his company's experience in Jordan, stating: "We have been in Jordan for over 20 years, and we have implemented major projects such as the port and water network, which were among the most advanced projects at the time and still serve as a model in the region."
Hoffman pointed out that Germany, despite the economic challenges it faces as the third largest exporting country globally, is able to withstand thanks to the new partnerships it seeks to expand with the countries of the region, including Jordan.
He said: "For many years, we have not only provided equipment and products, but we have also built trust and relationships based on mutual respect, and we in Germany need Jordan, just as Jordan needs Germany, and this partnership today has become an economic and strategic necessity for both parties."
Hoffman mentioned that the visit provides participants with an opportunity for direct communication with Jordanian companies, and its program focuses on exploring business and investment opportunities in a variety of sectors, including energy and water management, infrastructure, construction, logistics, transport, and industrial development.
It is worth mentioning that the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1976 with the aim of building economic cooperation bridges between Germany and the Arab countries.
During the forum, which was attended by the German Ambassador to the Kingdom, Dr. Bertram von Moltke, and the Secretary-General of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdulaziz Al-Mukhlafi, the President of the German Jordanian University, Alaa Al-Halhouli, presented the university's journey, which was established 20 years ago and today has partnerships with many universities and about 5,000 German companies with the aim of providing training and employment opportunities for its students, emphasizing that the university's philosophy focuses on investment and human development.
