ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan led an official delegation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the 9th Pakistan-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), held in Amman.
Maha Ali, minister for Industry, Trade and Supply led the Jordanian delegation. This was the first JMC to be held since 2006.
Both sides agreed to enhance their economic and trade relations to complement the historical and extraordinarily positive political, diplomatic and defence relations. It was agreed to begin negotiations immediately for a preferential trade agreement, leading eventually to a Free Trade Agreement between the two brotherly nations.
Khan articulated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s vision of shared prosperity through economic integration between Pakistan and Jordan. He highlighted the potential of Gwadar as the gateway for Jordan’s trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian states.
The minister encouraged the Jordanian private sector to enhance exchange of business delegations, and urged Government of Jordan to establish a Pakistan-specific Special Economic Zone in Aqaba and to relax visa procedures for businessmen. He welcomed the fact that Jordan Chamber of Commerce will lead a delegation of prominent business leaders to Karachi next month for Inaugural Session of Pakistan-Jordan Joint Business Council.
Jordan’s Trade Minister invited Pakistani industrial sector to set up facilities in Jordan to capitalise on Jordan’s free trade agreements with United States and Canada. She also expressed interest in purchasing wheat from Pakistan.
JMC was concluded with signing of four Memorandums of Understandings on: (i) Cooperation between Trade Development Authority of Pakistan & Jordan Investment Commission (JIC);(ii) Strengthening of Cooperation in all Sectors of Investment between Pak Board of Investment and JIC; (iii) Standardization, Metrology, Certification, Accreditation and other Related Activities between Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization and Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Organization and (iv) Recognition of Training and Certification of Seafarers’ between Jordan Maritime Authority and Pakistan Ministry of Ports & Shipping.
During his visit, Commerce Minister called on HRH Prince Hassan Bin Talal and Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Abdalla Ensour to discuss current crises in the Middle East and economic integration between Islamic countries. The Minister visited his counterpart as well as Amman Chamber of Commerce, and attended a reception hosted by Nael Kabiriti, President of Jordan Chamber of Commerce.
