Amman: Jordan and Saudi Arabia should move beyond expanding trade volumes toward "full" economic integration, Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Chairman Khalil Hajj Tawfiq said. Hajj Tawfiq made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan Al Saud at the chamber's headquarters, according to a chamber statement issued Sunday.
According to Jordan News Agency, in a meeting attended by ACC board members, Hajj Tawfiq emphasized the "depth of political, historical and economic Jordanian-Saudi ties" as a foundation for advancing to a "more mature" stage of relations grounded in economic integration. This ambition, he noted, should not just focus on increasing trade exchange figures but also on building long-term production and investment partnerships. He stressed the importance of deepening ties between the business communities of both countries and capitalizing on available opportunities to achieve genuine economic integration.
Hajj Tawfiq highlighted that the chamber has already taken concrete steps towards this vision. These include the establishment of the Jordanian-Saudi Business Network, expanded cooperation with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, and the activation of the Jordanian-Saudi Joint Business Council. He expressed hope that this integration model could serve as a foundation for strengthening Arab economic unity in the future.
In response, the Saudi ambassador acknowledged the close relations between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which are rooted in historical connections across multiple sectors. He pointed out that the bilateral economic relations are built on integration rather than competition. The ambassador noted that while current trade volumes are "growing steadily," they should be doubled, given the resources and opportunities both countries possess.
The ambassador also highlighted the shared "common ground" between Saudi Vision 2030 and Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision. He expressed hope that both sides would continuously update mutual economic data and work to remove obstacles impeding cooperation. Additionally, he was briefed on the development of the Jordanian-Saudi Business Network since its launch in July 2025, which now includes 286 businesspeople and executives.
The network's progress includes the launch of an online platform ahead of its official Riyadh launch in January 2026, coinciding with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Amman and Riyadh chambers of commerce. This agreement features steps to establish a database of businesspeople and professionals, form sector committees, and strengthen direct networking between companies and investors in both countries.