Amman, Nov. 22 (Petra) –Chairman of the Jordan Exporters Association (JEA), Ahmad Khudari, said the association will intensify its efforts in the coming period to open new markets for the Kingdom's industrial exports and enhance their presence in Asian markets, capitalizing on the momentum made by His Majesty King Abdullah II's important tour of Southeast Asian countries.

In a JEA statement issued Saturday, Khudari noted His Majesty's visit to Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Indonesia constituted a "purely" economic milestone, reflecting the King's keen interest in supporting the industrial sector and enhancing the presence of Jordanian products in promising markets.

Commending His Majesty's significant efforts in strengthening Jordan's economic position, he added that the King's continuous initiatives and his commitment to opening new horizons for national exports represent a "fundamental pillar for empowering the Kingdom's industrial sector and enhancing its competitiveness." Khudari stated these efforts reflect a "clear" Royal vision based on expanding the range of trading partners and creating genuine economic opportunities for Jordanian investors and exporters.

The association, he noted, took the initiative from the "very first" day of the announcement of the Royal tour to contact relevant authorities and begin arranging participation in trade fairs in those countries.

Khudari sated this effort aims to understand the nature of the markets and the products traded there, and showcase Jordanian products to importers.

On obstacles to access these new markets, he said entry requires additional effort, particularly language requirements and product labeling, which impose financial obligations on industrial companies.

Khudari noted these challenges were raised during a Senate meeting with the economic team, as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Ya'rub Qudah, affirmed the government would provide support to companies participating in international exhibitions for the first time, which would encourage their effective entry into those markets.

Success of Jordanian exports in entering these countries would contribute to strengthening the growth of the Kingdom's industrial sector and increasing its share in foreign markets, which aligns with His Majesty's directives to diversify the export portfolio and enhance its competitiveness, he pointed out.

Khudari noted national exports have witnessed an 8% growth since the beginning of this year, while re-exports have recorded a 5% rise.

Khudari emphasized the importance of the government's efforts to sign new preferential customs agreements with countries such as Rwanda and Uzbekistan, which are markets that contribute to expanding Jordan's export base and open up "promising" economic prospects.

Khudari also affirmed the JEA's "readiness" to continue working with all official and private entities to optimize benefits of the opportunities presented by the Royal visit and enhance presence of Jordanian products in global markets.

Khudari said Economic Modernization Vision constitutes a "comprehensive" national framework that directly supports the industrial sector by focusing on increasing industrial production capacity, expanding markets, and improving the business environment.

The vision, he noted, positions exports as a "key driver" of growth and provides programs that enhance the industrial sector's capability to access new markets and increase the added value of Jordanian products.

//Petra// AG