Amman: Chairman of Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC), Khalil Haj Tawfiq, met with the President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin (CCIB), Arnauld Akakpo, to explore avenues for bolstering economic and trade ties between Jordan and Benin. The meeting aimed at creating new business opportunities for both nations.
According to Jordan News Agency, the discussions were attended by ACC’s First Vice Chairman, Nabil Khatib, and Board Member Khattab Banna. The meeting focused on increasing trade exchanges and forming direct partnerships between Jordanian and Beninese companies. There was also a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the exchange of trade delegations and to organize joint events and exhibitions.
During the meeting in Amman, Haj Tawfiq expressed ACC’s willingness to enhance cooperation with its Beninese counterpart, emphasizing Jordan’s strategic position as a gateway to Arab markets and Benin’s role as a key entry point to West African countries. He highlighted the potential to access new markets for Jordanian products, especially in sectors like energy, pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals, building materials, services, and logistics. This initiative aims to reciprocate by importing Benin’s agricultural products, such as cashew nuts and fresh produce, to balance trade and strengthen private sector partnerships.
Arnauld Akakpo, representing Benin, praised the collaboration with ACC and acknowledged Jordan as an important partner in the region due to its stability and favorable economic conditions. He expressed Benin’s interest in establishing a long-term partnership in energy, trade, and logistics. Akakpo announced that plans are underway for an economic delegation from Benin to visit Jordan soon to foster business connections.
Nabil Khatib highlighted that cooperation with Benin could unlock significant opportunities in agriculture and food sectors while utilizing Jordan’s strategic location for services, logistics, and regional trade. He affirmed the chamber’s readiness to collaborate with Benin on joint training programs and facilitate trade, especially in sectors where Jordan holds a competitive edge.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize their cooperation and maintain ongoing communication channels between both countries’ business sectors. The agreement also included plans for sectoral meetings, particularly focusing on agriculture and cotton, ahead of the anticipated visit by a Beninese economic delegation to Jordan.