Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said Monday that national exports soared 4.3 percent in the first half of the year, compared with the same period last year, a key economic indicator in a volatile region.

Speaking in a meeting with the president and members of the Jordan Chamber of Industry Board and sector representatives, the Prime Minister said that the aspired-for self-reliance would only come about with a flexible industrial sector that turns available opportunities into growth, employs Jordanians and increases exports to regional and world markets.

"There are opportunities that can be taken, and an industrialist is the one who looks for these opportunities and turns to the government if faced with problems or obstacles to overcome them," he said.

Commenting on a proposal that 2020 be the Jordan industry year, Razzaz reiterated his government's commitment to work with the sector to address all barriers, whether related to procedures, decisions or legislations, to prop up the vital sector.

The premier said that the government acknowledged the challenges facing the industrial sector, including energy and skilled labour, and will come up with proposed solutions.

Jordan Chamber of Industry President Fathi Al-Jaghbir said that high production cost is the biggest challenge and would have a negative impact on the competitiveness of the sector, stressing collective work to find solutions.

He called for revisiting and reevaluating trade agreements with world nations and urged reciprocal action be taken when barriers to the flow of Jordanian goods emerge.