Amman, June 18 (Petra) -- British Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall said Jordan and the United Kingdom enjoy a close and longstanding partnership spanning security, education, business, trade and foreign policy, expressing confidence that cooperation between the two countries will continue to grow in the coming period.
In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra) marking the celebrations of King Charles III's Official Birthday, Hall said Jordan and the United Kingdom are "very close partners" and that cooperation between the two countries serves the interests of both sides.
He said he looks forward to further strengthening defense and education ties while maintaining close coordination on foreign policy issues, adding that trade represents the area with the greatest potential for growth and that businesses in both countries should expand cooperation.
Hall described the bilateral partnership as "excellent," noting that the historic relationship between Jordan and the United Kingdom continues to underpin strong cooperation.
On economic and investment cooperation, the ambassador said annual bilateral trade in goods and services exceeds JD1 billion, or approximately £1 billion, expressing hope that the figure will continue to increase.
He highlighted the success of Jordanian companies in entering the British market, noting that Arab Potash Company and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company recently exported their first shipment of potash and phosphate to a fertilizer manufacturer in the United Kingdom.
Hall also pointed to the presence of Jordanian food products in British markets and said the United Kingdom is working with Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises to strengthen their export capabilities.
He noted Jordan's success in exporting services, particularly through JORAMCO, which continues to receive a growing number of European, including British, aircraft for maintenance and servicing, adding that the company has become the world's eighth-largest aircraft maintenance provider.
The ambassador said three of the world's leading accounting firms Deloitte, PwC and EY are expanding their operations in Jordan due to the availability of skilled local talent.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening links between technology entrepreneurs and financial technology (FinTech) companies in both countries, referring to the Tech Connect event hosted in London last year by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, which highlighted significant opportunities for cooperation.
Hall said Jordan is moving forward with major infrastructure projects in the railway and water sectors, as well as plans to develop the new city of Amra.
He noted that these projects coincide with improving regional trade routes through Syria and increasing trade with Iraq, developments that could transform Jordan's economy and create new opportunities for growth.
The ambassador expressed hope that British companies would participate in projects related to defense, railways, water, critical minerals and healthcare, noting that this effort is supported by £3-4 billion in financing from UK Export Finance to support Jordan's development priorities.
He also described Hikma Pharmaceuticals as one of Jordan's outstanding business success stories, saying its listing on the London Stock Exchange contributed significantly to its growth into one of Jordan's largest and most successful companies.
On cultural and educational cooperation, Hall said the British Council leads cultural collaboration between the two countries through artistic, musical and theatrical events that promote cooperation between Jordanian and British talent.
He said the council also supports innovation in digital arts, the creative economy and gaming, while promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the cultural and artistic sectors.
The ambassador highlighted the role of the UK's Cultural Protection Fund in preserving Jordan's tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as the contribution of King Charles III's Turquoise Mountain Foundation in supporting artisans from Jordan, Syria and Palestine by helping them develop their skills and access international markets.
He also referred to the work of the Council for British Research in the Levant through its Amman Institute in Jabal Al-Weibdeh.
On education, Hall said the British Council, in cooperation with Jordan's Ministry of Education, is training around 10,000 English-language teachers in public schools by next year.
He added that the council teaches English to about 4,000 people annually, provides training to more than 300 academics at Jordanian universities and empowers more than 1,000 young people each year through leadership and skills programmes.
He also noted cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Pearson to develop technical education through BTEC qualifications, alongside British curricula provided by Cambridge, Pearson and Oxford AQA, as well as partnerships between British and Jordanian universities offering programmes up to the doctoral level in Jordan. He added that IELTS examinations are available through 12 centres across the Kingdom.
Regarding refugees, Hall said the United Kingdom is the third-largest donor to UNRWA and continues to provide educational support for Syrian refugees and host communities to help ensure children do not miss out on education.
On youth empowerment, he highlighted the Youth Connect programme implemented by the British Council in partnership with Jordanian civil society organizations, which aims to enable young people to bring positive change to their communities.
Discussing Jordan's regional role, Hall said the Kingdom continues to support a two-state solution and reaffirmed the commitment of both Jordan and the United Kingdom to working toward a just and lasting peace.
He praised Jordan's humanitarian assistance to Gaza by land and air, noting the importance of these efforts amid the difficult humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
The ambassador also said the Jordanian and British armed forces cooperate closely, adding that Jordan plays an important role in maintaining internal stability and combating cross-border threats.
He stressed that Jordan's regional influence exceeds its geographical and political size, saying the United Kingdom is proud of its partnership with the Kingdom.
Hall noted that this year's celebrations also marked the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, whose work has helped raise global environmental awareness, and encouraged efforts to protect the environment, saying Jordan possesses beautiful natural landscapes that should be preserved.
He also congratulated Jordan on qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, describing the Kingdom as "a fabulous country" with "dignified and welcoming people," adding that the national football team reflects those qualities.
//Petra//
