Amman, Sept. 9 (Petra) -- Amman will host the Arab East Conference for Agricultural Exports on Sept. 15-16, bringing together public- and private-sector representatives, agricultural producers, buyers, investors, and smart-solution providers to explore ways to boost agricultural exports and competitiveness.
Organized by the Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruit and Vegetables (JEPA), the conference is a joint initiative of Smart Desert and the Jordan-China Agricultural Company.
Jordan was selected to host the event due to its strategic location linking regional production markets with major consumer markets, particularly in the Gulf states and Europe, as well as its stable investment environment and experience in agricultural exports.
The conference aims to position the Mashreq region as a regional agricultural leader, expand agricultural exports, attract investment in agriculture and supply chains, connect producers with buyers and investors, support innovation and production efficiency, and develop practical solutions to logistical and legislative challenges.
The discussions will focus on four main areas of the agricultural value chain: food security, financial solutions, certification and standards, and logistics and shipping.
The food security track will address regional food stability, agricultural sustainability and integration, and the impact of Gulf import policies. The financial solutions track will cover export financing, agricultural insurance, risk management, green finance, and the role of banks in supporting farmers and exporters.
The certification and standards track will examine foreign market requirements, traceability, and quality and food safety standards, while the logistics and shipping track will address cross-border land transport, maritime transport, cold-chain logistics, and transit losses, as well as opportunities to establish the Arab Mashreq as a regional logistics hub.
The first day will focus on strategy and policy, while the second will address practical and applied issues. The program includes high-level panel discussions, an agricultural exhibition, business-to-business meetings, practical workshops, and platforms showcasing investment opportunities.
Mohammad Khreis, CEO of Jibril Investment Solutions Group, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that sponsorship and participation agreements have been signed with several agricultural-sector companies.
He said the conference will bring together companies specializing in technology, seeds and agricultural laboratories, alongside producers and international buyers from Europe and the Gulf, to help local products access export markets.
Khreis said the conference supports the Economic Modernization Vision and the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II to establish Jordan as a regional logistics hub for agricultural exports. He noted that a dedicated logistics session will bring together former transport ministers and experts to develop practical solutions to sector challenges.
He added that the conference aims to provide Jordanian farmers, particularly small-scale producers, with a practical roadmap covering export requirements, market volumes and competitive pricing, helping move agriculture toward more market-oriented production.
Regarding the trade environment, Khreis highlighted efforts to harmonize certificates, exchange expertise, and facilitate direct export contracts between farmers and international buyers to overcome border-related obstacles.
He also stressed the role of the media in promoting the quality of Jordanian agricultural products and the capabilities of local companies, contributing to efforts to open new international markets for national exports.
//Petra// AJ
