Ammon News - Jordan commerce and industry chambers On Wednesday discussed with a delegation from the Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), ways to increase cooperation and volume of Jordanian-Palestinian trade exchange.

Deputy Chairman of Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Jamal Rifai, said the Palestinian economy has turned challenges into opportunities and success stories, and has reached countries across the world, adding that Palestinian industry could compete and reach new markets.

Rifai also noted Jordan's private sector is networked with several official institutions, which would remove all obstacles to increase Jordanian-Palestinian cooperation and would be reflected on joint trade and logistical coordination.

JCC will hire liaison officers to deal with any complaints, observations, suggestions or issues from any Palestinian investor, he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), Mohammad Al-Jitan, said the two countries' volume of trade exchange grew during the first five months of 2022 by 60%, reaching about JD100 million, compared to the same period last year.

Al-Jitan noted volume of trade exchange reflects outcomes of both sides' efforts to achieve the "highest" levels of progress on bilateral relations, adding that many investment, commercial and industrial opportunities are available, in light of the Palestinian industry's high level, despite the challenges and difficulties due to the Israeli-imposed restrictions.

He also affirmed the industrial sector's readiness to support Jordanian traders and industrialists, based on His Majesty King Abdullah II's directives, in all regional and global political and economic forums, indicating that the JCI will hire liaison officers to answer any inquiries from the Palestinian side.

Al-Jitan lauded the Jordanian Industries Exhibition in Palestine, which was held over the past years in a number of Palestinian governorates, welcoming any plans to host Palestinian industrialists and merchants wishing to set up an exhibition of Palestinian industries in the Kingdom.

For his part, HCCI head, Abdo Idris, praised the two Jordanian chambers' efforts to activate any joint agreements, in a way that "positively" affects the costumer lives in both countries.

Noting Covid-19 pandemic-related challenges, he pointed to the importance of the Aqaba port in the joint trade traffic and highlighted importance of opportunities provided for the Palestinian side.

During the first five months of 2022, volume of Jordan's exports to Palestine amounted to about JD109 million, an increase of about 74% against the same period last year, while value of Jordan's imports from Palestine stood at about JD31 million, a hike of about 23%.