Latest news with #AliMurad
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: EFTA amendments open 'new horizons' for national exports — JEBA
AMMAN — The Jordanian-European Business Association (JEBA) on Saturday said that signing amendments of the Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) marks a 'strategic' step towards enhancing economic ties with European partners and expanding export opportunities. JEBA President Ali Murad said that the "updated" agreement, covering Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Norway, will contribute to aligning Jordan's trade framework with the latest European and international standards, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The amendments also reflect ongoing developments under the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Free Trade Area. "These updates make the agreement more dynamic and better suited to the needs of modern trade, while creating a supportive legal and commercial environment for investors on both sides," Murad said. He also highlighted the signing of three additional bilateral agreements with Norway, Switzerland and Iceland in the agricultural sector as evidence of both sides' commitment to boosting specialised trade, particularly in sectors vital to the Kingdom's economy. The JEBA president stressed that the move will support national efforts to improve access to "advanced" European markets, at a time when increasing exports and diversifying trade partnerships are 'key' priorities. "At JEBA, we look forward to building on these agreements and providing technical and advisory support to help Jordanian businesses seize new trade and investment opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic growth," Murad added. Jordan's exports to Iceland, Switzerland and Norway reached around JD75 million last year, according to official data, while no exports were recorded to Liechtenstein, according to Petra. The amendments were signed in Geneva by Jordan's Representative to the UN and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Akram Harahsheh on behalf of the Jordanian government, along with the ambassadors of the EFTA countries. The changes aim to modernise the agreement, which originally came into force in September 2002, to promote trade and economic growth while ensuring alignment with updated rules under the PEM framework, Petra reported.
Jordan Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Jordanian economic delegation to visit Spain next Monday — JEBA
By JT - May 03,2025 - Last updated at May 03,2025 AMMAN — A Jordanian economic delegation is scheduled to begin a visit to Spain on Monday, aimed to enhance economic cooperation. The step also seeks to expand prospects for joint work among the two countries' private sectors in several strategic sectors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The three-day visit is organised by Jordan Europe Business Association (JEBA) in cooperation with the commerce chambers of Spain and Madrid, with the support of the Spanish embassy in Amman. The delegation is comprised of a group of representatives of major Jordanian companies operating in vital sectors, mainly tourism, health, renewable energy, environmental and water technologies, food industries, agriculture, and mining. The delegates, headed by JEBA Chairman Ali Murad, seek to strengthen Jordanian-Spanish economic cooperation by holding a series of business meetings and organising specialised events at Madrid Chamber of Commerce to build a new network of relations and explore cooperation opportunities in priority areas. Murad noted that the visit represents a "practical" step to enhance the Jordanian economy's "openness" to European markets. Murad pointed out that Spain is an "important" gateway to the European market, adding that cooperation with Madrid at this stage holds "remarkable" potential for the Jordanian private sector, especially amid global trends to a achieve a green economy and innovation in the agricultural and tourism sectors. Murad said that the delegation is set to make field trips and meet with Spanish economic and commercial institutions, aimed to exchange expertise and learn about "successful" models in various fields. The chairman said that JEBA is "keen" to enable Jordanian companies to access new markets and enhance their "competitiveness" in the international market. Jordanian national exports to Spain in 2024 amounted to JD38 million, while the value of imports from Spain during the same period stood at JD238 million, according to foreign trade figures issued by the Department of Statistics.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EU market 'strong' opportunity to expand, diversify Jordan's exports-JEBA
AMMAN — Chairman of the Jordan-Europe Business Association (JEBA) Ali Murad on Saturday said that Jordan's economic cooperation with European Union countries constitutes an "important" strategic pillar that enhances growth of the national economy and supports the Kingdom's "sustainable" development. In remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, he noted that the European market represents a "strong" opportunity to expand and diversify the Kingdom's exports, with a focus on value-added industries and modern technologies. On future prospects, Murad indicated that Jordan enjoys "extensive" opportunities to enhance its exports to European Union markets, particularly in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Murad added that the Jordan-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in January, represents a "qualitative" shift in bilateral relations and establishes a "new" phase of economic and development cooperation. The JEBA chairman said that the agreement provides a 3-billion-euro financial aid package for the years 2025-2027, including grants, investments and macroeconomic support, reflecting the EU's commitment to supporting Jordan as a "strategic" partner in the region. Jordanian-EU trade agreements provide duty-free access to most national products, particularly agricultural exports, which have been exempted from duties and quantitative quotas since 2006, with special arrangements for some items, mainly olive oil and strawberries, he pointed out. At the end of January 2025, His Majesty King Abdullah and European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen attended the signing ceremony of the Jordan-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in Brussels. To support realising the agreement's objectives, the European Union announced a 3-billion-euro financial aid package for Jordan for the years 2025-2027, including 640 million euros in grants, 1.4 billion euros in investments, and some 1 billion euros in macroeconomic support.
Jordan Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
EU market 'strong' opportunity to expand, diversify Jordan's exports-JEBA
AMMAN — Chairman of the Jordan-Europe Business Association (JEBA) Ali Murad on Saturday said that Jordan's economic cooperation with European Union countries constitutes an "important" strategic pillar that enhances growth of the national economy and supports the Kingdom's "sustainable" development. In remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, he noted that the European market represents a "strong" opportunity to expand and diversify the Kingdom's exports, with a focus on value-added industries and modern technologies. On future prospects, Murad indicated that Jordan enjoys "extensive" opportunities to enhance its exports to European Union markets, particularly in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Murad added that the Jordan-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in January, represents a "qualitative" shift in bilateral relations and establishes a "new" phase of economic and development cooperation. The JEBA chairman said that the agreement provides a 3-billion-euro financial aid package for the years 2025-2027, including grants, investments and macroeconomic support, reflecting the EU's commitment to supporting Jordan as a "strategic" partner in the region. Jordanian-EU trade agreements provide duty-free access to most national products, particularly agricultural exports, which have been exempted from duties and quantitative quotas since 2006, with special arrangements for some items, mainly olive oil and strawberries, he pointed out. At the end of January 2025, His Majesty King Abdullah and European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen attended the signing ceremony of the Jordan-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in Brussels. To support realising the agreement's objectives, the European Union announced a 3-billion-euro financial aid package for Jordan for the years 2025-2027, including 640 million euros in grants, 1.4 billion euros in investments, and some 1 billion euros in macroeconomic support.
Jordan News
26-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
JEBA President: The European Market Represents a Strong Opportunity to Expand and Diversify Jordan's Exports
JEBA President: The European Market Represents a Strong Opportunity to Expand and Diversify Jordan's Exports The President of the Jordanian-European Business Association (JEBA), Ali Murad, affirmed that economic cooperation between Jordan and the European Union constitutes a significant strategic pillar that strengthens national economic growth and supports sustainable development in the Kingdom. اضافة اعلان In a press statement, Murad stated that the European market represents a strong opportunity to expand and diversify Jordan's exports, particularly focusing on high value-added industries and modern technologies. He emphasized that Jordan has wide opportunities to boost its exports to European Union markets, especially in industrial and agricultural sectors. He added that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between Jordan and the European Union in January marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations and lays the foundation for a new phase of economic and developmental cooperation. Murad pointed out that the agreement includes a financial assistance package worth €3 billion for the years 2025-2027, encompassing grants, investments, and macroeconomic support, reflecting the EU's commitment to supporting Jordan as a strategic partner in the region. He explained that the trade agreements between the two sides allow duty-free access for most Jordanian products, particularly agricultural products, which have been exempt from tariffs and quotas since 2006, with special arrangements for certain products such as olive oil and strawberries. His Majesty King Abdullah II and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen witnessed the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Jordan and the EU in Brussels at the end of January this year. To support the goals of the agreement, the EU announced a €3 billion financial assistance package for Jordan for 2025-2027, including €640 million in grants, €1.4 billion in investments, and approximately €1 billion in macroeconomic support. In July of last year, Jordan and the European Union announced their desire to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, building on the Association Agreement signed in 1997 and in effect since 2002. The trade volume between Jordan and EU countries reached 3.288 billion Jordanian dinars last year, compared to 3.283 billion dinars in 2023. National exports to the EU recorded a 4.4% increase last year, amounting to 427 million dinars compared to 409 million dinars in 2023. Meanwhile, imports from the EU to Jordan slightly declined to 2.861 billion dinars last year from 2.874 billion dinars in 2023. Regarding investment opportunities available to European business owners in Jordan, Murad highlighted the Kingdom's promising opportunities across sectors such as renewable energy, digital transformation, tourism, education, and high value-added industries. He noted that the €3 billion EU support package includes €1.4 billion earmarked for vital development projects in Jordan, thus enhancing the business environment and encouraging European investors to enter the local market. Jordan is actively working to improve its investment climate by simplifying procedures and developing legislation to attract foreign investments. Murad stressed that strengthening Jordanian exports' access to European markets requires diversifying export products, increasing their value-added content, improving quality, and meeting stringent European standards. He also pointed to the need to raise exporters' awareness of European market requirements. Other requirements he mentioned include facilitating export procedures, simplifying preferential rules of origin, enhancing public-private sector cooperation to develop value chains, leveraging existing trade agreements, and working to remove non-tariff barriers. Murad highlighted that the European Parliament's ratification of the €3 billion aid package is a strong indication of the EU's commitment to supporting Jordan in facing economic and developmental challenges, reflecting the international community's appreciation of Jordan's strategic role in the region. He added that the support would also aid Jordan's efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth, create job opportunities, and strengthen stability. The package also enables the financing of vital development projects in education, health, and industry, boosting Jordan's capacity to advance its economy and confront regional challenges. Murad emphasized that the strategic partnership between the two sides reflects a clear and integrated vision for Jordanian-European cooperation and enhances Jordan's position as a regional economic platform and a reliable partner in sustainable development. He noted that the Jordanian-European Business Association (JEBA), established in 1995, includes a wide range of Jordanian businessmen and economic institutions among its members and plays a key role in enhancing economic cooperation between Jordan and the EU. JEBA acts as a bridge between Jordanian and European companies. Murad highlighted JEBA's role in organizing economic forums, trade missions, and joint workshops to showcase investment and trade opportunities in the Kingdom. JEBA also provides technical support and guidance to Jordanian companies to maximize their benefit from agreements with EU countries, while working to expand trade exchanges and strengthen strategic partnerships between the private sectors of both sides. (Petra)
