Chairman of the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA), Hamdi Tabba’a, and Egyptian ambassador to Jordan, Sherif Kamel, discussed means to enhance economic cooperation between Jordan and Egypt, and the role of the private sector in this regard.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, the meeting discussed the impact of Egyptian gas supplies disruption on the Jordanian economy and its industrial sector, and the outcomes of the London Conference on the investment opportunities in the Kingdom. It also set agenda for the next meeting for the Jordanian – Egyptian Business Council.
The two sides expressed their desire to increase cooperation via conducting workshops on subjects of mutual concern and cooperate in the tourism sector through developing joint tourism programs, make use of Egyptian expertise in this regard, and cooperate with the real estate sector,
Tabba’a stressed that the JBA is keen to enhancing economic, trade, and investment relations between Jordan and the rest of the world, and promote Jordan as an investment and trade hub.
Jordan ranks 23 among countries investing in Egypt with an estimated capital of USD2 billion through 1,177 companies working in the sectors of industry, finance, services, agriculture, construction, communication, IT, and tourism.
On the other hand, Egyptian investments in Jordan benefiting from Jordan’s investment law are estimated at about USD1 billion through 499 companies working in the in sectors of services, investment, trade, tourism, industry, and banking.
For his part, the Egyptian Ambassador highlighted the depth of the Jordanian – Egyptian brotherly and economic relations, stressing the embassy’s readiness to cooperate with the JBA to strengthen the bilateral cooperation.
Jordan’s exports to Egypt in 2017 stood at around USD80 million, corresponding to USD336 million imports from Egypt.