Amman: The Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), in collaboration with Egypt's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), hosted a virtual workshop titled "Supporting the Access of Small and Medium Enterprises to the Jordanian and Egyptian Markets." This event targeted businesses in the chemical industries and Dead Sea products sectors, with participation from both public and private sector representatives from Jordan and Egypt.
According to Jordan News Agency, the workshop aimed to explore opportunities to enhance trade relations between Jordan and Egypt, facilitating easier access to the Egyptian market for SMEs. The discussions centered around understanding the requirements and procedures necessary for market entry, identifying challenges that exporters from both countries might face, and formulating strategies to tackle these challenges. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost trade volume between the neighboring nations.
JEDCO Acting Executive Director Dana Al-Zoubi emphasized the corporation's commitment to opening new markets for Jordanian SMEs by providing essential technical and financial support and enhancing their readiness for export. She noted that the workshop is a component of JEDCO's ongoing efforts to foster economic integration with MSMEDA and to leverage the strong bilateral ties between Jordan and Egypt. The initiative primarily targets an increase in Jordanian exports, focusing on high-value-added sectors such as chemical industries and Dead Sea products.
MSMEDA's Chief Executive Officer Basil Rahmi highlighted the agency's dedication to strengthening cooperation with JEDCO to support and develop the enterprise sector across both countries. He stressed that the collaboration involves exchanging expertise and best practices in developing productive and industrial sectors within SMEs, supporting current enterprise owners, aiding project development, and encouraging youth entrepreneurship in both nations.
Rahmi also mentioned the two upcoming workshops planned in partnership with JEDCO. These workshops will emphasize networking between small companies, investment opportunities through free zones, joint manufacturing possibilities, and value chain integration. They will also facilitate meetings between Egyptian companies and Jordanian government entities to support Egyptian SMEs in accessing the Jordanian market.
Additionally, the workshop included presentations from the Egyptian side, outlining the business environment in Egypt and the investment and commercial opportunities available. These presentations also reviewed the support mechanisms and services provided by the Enterprise Development Agency to aid foreign companies entering the Egyptian market.