Board of Directors of the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) Monday held a meeting in Amman with French Ambassador to Jordan, Véronique Vouland-Aneini, for a discussion on means to bolster the Jordanian-French economic cooperation and possibilities to lure in French investments in the Kingdom.
The meeting touched on the most important prospects in the economic sectors in which Jordan has achieved remarkable development, the most important of which are the sectors of tourism, ICT, education and health care, in addition to discussing enhancing cooperation in the supporting of water projects.
JBA President Hamdi Tabbaa pointed out that the Jordanian-French relations are based on mutual respect, continuous coordination and shared views on various issues of common interest, stressing the importance of continuing to hold meetings of the Jordanian-French Business Council, which was established between the Association and the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) in 1994.
Tabbaa stressed the important role of the JBA in promoting economic relations with the French business community, especially as it participated in several royal visits to France as part of accompanying economic delegations.
He pointed out that there are many possibilities available in Jordan to enhance and activate bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially that the Jordanian investment environment offers many advantages and incentives, most notably the existence of many free trade agreements as Jordan is a commercially open economy to the world.
In turn, Vouland-Aneini affirmed that the Jordanian-French relations have been witnessing continuous development on all levels, especially since there are many cooperation protocols between Jordan and France.
She pointed out that the embassy is ready to cooperate and provide facilities to hold the Jordanian-French Business Council as an opportunity to familiarize the French private sector with the most prominent developments in the Jordanian economic sectors and exchange information on investment opportunities available in order to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Jordan’s exports to France last year amounted to about US$ 16 million, which concentrated on fertilizers and pharmaceutical products, compared to US$ 479 million in fossil fuel and grains.