(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, March 11 (Petra)--Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah expected that Jordan and Kenya will sign a free trade agreement before the end of 2017.
During a ceremony to announce the establishment of the Jordan-Africa Business Association, Qudah said that the two countries will hold negotiations as of the beginning of April to accomplish the agreement that would help Jordanian exports to reach the Kenya market. The minister stressed the need for new markets due to the current situation in the region that has reflected negatively on Jordanian exports to Syria and Iraq.
He said Jordan's exports to Iraq declined from JD900 million in 2013 to JD300 in 2016, affirming the importance of finding alternative markets in Africa, Europe and the United States.
The minister highlighted the importance of the Association in facilitating the entry of Jordanian exports to the African markets.
President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce Issa Murad hailed the idea of establishing the Association, noting that the chamber will provide the needed support to the Association to achieve its objectives and develop the Kingdom's relations with African states.
President of the Amman Chamber of Industry Ziad Homsi called for intensifying efforts of the public and private sectors to enhance Jordan's economic ties with the African continent through the exchange of visits and holding fairs to promote national industries in Africa.
Chairperson of the Association's board Reem Badran said the association aims to serve the Jordanian business community as well as trade, industrial and services sectors and boost cooperation between the Jordanian private sector and its counterparts in Africa.
She said the association will focus on increasing trade exchange with the African market in light of the current conditions that led to the closure of border crossings for exports and commodities.
11/3/2017 - 12:56:01 PM
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