Amman, May 13 (Petra) -- Syrian economic leaders are calling for a broader shift toward economic integration with Jordan, saying both countries possess complementary strengths capable of supporting trade growth, industrial cooperation and regional transit activity.
Business representatives and industry officials told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that Jordanian-Syrian economic relations are entering a more advanced phase shaped by growing political support for Arab economic cooperation and renewed momentum for cross-border investment and trade.
They said King Abdullah II’s repeated emphasis on Arab economic integration and joint regional projects reflects a modern economic vision that aligns with Syria’s current policy direction based on economic openness and reintegration with regional markets.
Alaa Al-Ali, president of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, said recent meetings of the Jordanian-Syrian Higher Coordination Council reflect serious political momentum toward transforming bilateral ties from traditional cooperation into a long-term economic partnership.
He said Jordan and Syria hold significant complementary advantages, with Jordan functioning as a regional logistics and transit hub while Syria offers industrial, agricultural and geographic capacities that could support broader regional supply chains.
According to Al-Ali, sectors such as transport, energy, logistics, food industries, pharmaceuticals, tourism and transit trade offer strong opportunities for joint investment and economic expansion.
He added that improving border infrastructure and simplifying customs and banking procedures would directly accelerate trade and investment flows between the two countries.
Mazen Derawan, president of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Industry, said future economic ties between Jordan and Syria should be based on industrial integration rather than direct competition, noting that coordinated specialization could help lower production costs, improve competitiveness and support exports in both markets.
He stressed that the private sector must play a central role in transforming political understandings into practical partnerships and investment projects, while governments focus on easing trade and logistics procedures.
Meanwhile, Nashat Al-Rifai, president of the Daraa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Syrian markets are showing increasing openness to Jordanian products, particularly as Syria moves through a phase of industrial reconstruction.
He called for greater flexibility in customs procedures and easier access for Syrian products to Jordanian markets, especially goods not produced locally in the kingdom.
Al-Rifai said both countries possess significant untapped economic opportunities that could support stronger trade and investment partnerships if backed by closer coordination between businesses, investors and official institutions.
//Petra// RZ
