Day: April 1, 2026

London: Jordanian products are seeing growing opportunities to strengthen their presence in the UK market, supported by rising demand, increased visibility, and sustained engagement with international buyers, according to the Jordan Exporters Association.

According to Jordan News Agency, Halim Abu Rahmeh, Director General of the association, said the Jordanian pavilion at the International Food and Drink Event (IFE 2026), currently held in London, has recorded strong interest from importers and visitors, reflecting improving market penetration and awareness of Jordanian goods in the United Kingdom.

He described the participation as successful for the second consecutive year, noting a clear expansion in the number of exhibitors and visitors compared with the previous edition. This, he said, enhances prospects for promoting national products and opening new export channels in a competitive global marketplace.

The exhibition, organized with the participation of Jordanian exporters, brings together around 25,0
00 international buyers, distributors, and representatives from retail chains and the hospitality sector. Participating companies are showcasing a diverse range of products, including confectionery, beverages, spices, dates, tahini, halva, canned foods, chocolate, and sweets.

Abu Rahmeh said the UK represents a strategic market for Jordanian exports, particularly as familiarity among British consumers, as well as Arab and Muslim communities, continues to grow. He emphasized that sustained participation in such events is essential to building trust with importers and establishing long-term commercial relationships.

He noted that export deals require continuity and do not materialize immediately, underscoring the importance of maintaining a consistent presence in international exhibitions to secure market share.

The association pointed to the success of Jordanian products in markets such as the United States, Canada, and Gulf countries as a factor supporting expansion into the UK, which is viewed as a high-p
otential market due to its strong purchasing power.

Abu Rahmeh added that the Jordanian pavilion received positive feedback from representatives of the Jordanian embassy in London, particularly for the quality and diversity of products on display.

The UK remains a key economic partner for Jordan, especially following post-Brexit trade arrangements aimed at preserving and enhancing bilateral trade flows. The Jordan-UK Partnership Agreement, signed in 2019 and implemented in May 2021, provides preferential treatment for traded goods, including customs duty exemptions comparable to those under the Jordan-EU agreement.

According to official data, bilateral trade between Jordan and the United Kingdom reached approximately JD239 million last year, including JD47 million in Jordanian exports.

Looking ahead, the association plans to expand its international outreach through participation in major global exhibitions, including SIAL in Canada and an upcoming event in South Korea, as part of efforts to diversify exp
ort markets and strengthen ties with international partners.

Abu Rahmeh said current regional conditions will not deter the association from advancing its role in supporting national industries, emphasizing a strategy focused on turning challenges into opportunities by opening new markets and enhancing export competitiveness.

New york: Major U.S. stock indexes rose on Wednesday for a second consecutive session, posting varied gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 224 points to 46,565, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 250 points to 21,840. The S and P 500 index also rose by around 46 points to reach 6,575.

According to Jordan News Agency, U.S. crude oil prices fell by about $2 buremained elevated, with West Texas Intermediate settling at $99.44 per barrel.

Amman: Lower House Speaker Mazen Qadi expressed strong condemnation on Wednesday regarding the recent approval by Israel’s Knesset of legislation that imposes the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners. He described the law as “vindictive” and a demonstration of “brutality and discrimination” by the Israeli government and parliament.

According to Jordan News Agency, Qadi labeled the legislation, which was passed by the Knesset on Monday, as a “fully-fledged crime” and criticized it as a disregard for human rights. He warned that the law signifies a dangerous shift towards extremism and state terrorism.

Qadi argued that the legislation violates international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and various international human rights agreements. He emphasized the threat it poses to Palestinian prisoners, suggesting that detention centers could become execution grounds under a misleading legal pretense.

He highlighted that the law sets a concerning precedent of impunity and establishes a discriminatory system, challenging the international community to uphold its legal and moral duties.

The Lower House Speaker urged international institutions to act promptly and effectively to address what he termed as a “serious violation.” He called for deterrent measures to hold the occupying authority accountable and stressed the need for urgent international protection for prisoners.

Qadi supported all legal initiatives to expose the law and its practices. He urged parliaments worldwide to take immediate action to suspend the Knesset’s membership in international parliamentary organizations, especially the Inter-Parliamentary Union, citing the legislation as a significant breach of parliamentary and humanitarian values.

Moscow: The Russian government announced on Wednesday that the country’s natural gas exports increased by about 8.9 percent during the past three months compared to the same period last year.

According to Jordan News Agency, in a statement, the government said that supplies from the Arctic LNG 2 project reached around 800,000 tons of liquefied natural gas in the first quarter, contributing to an overall increase in Russia’s LNG exports.

It added that in March, total Russian LNG exports rose by 13.9 percent year-on-year to reach 3.04 million tons.

Amman: The preparatory committee for the first session of the Jordanian-Uzbek Joint Committee convened Wednesday via videoconference to advance bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

According to Jordan News Agency, the Jordanian side was headed by Secretary-General Dana Zoubi, while the Uzbek side was led by Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Shokhrukh Gulamov, with participation from representatives of relevant institutions in both countries.

The ministry said the meetings are part of preparations for the ministerial session of the Joint Committee, scheduled for Thursday, to be chaired by Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov.

Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in key economic, trade, and investment sectors, with both sides reviewing mechanisms to enhance bilateral partnerships and facilitate trade flows.

The committee also finalized negotiations on a preferential trade agreement, paving the way for submitting recommendations to the ministers for approval during the upcoming session.