Amman: Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yarub Qudah, engaged in discussions with the British Trade Envoy to Jordan, Kuwait, and Palestine, Lord Iain McNicol, focusing on strengthening economic and trade cooperation. This dialogue is set within the framework of the bilateral partnership agreement signed in 2021.
According to Jordan News Agency, a ministry statement released on Saturday highlighted that both parties, along with British Ambassador to Jordan, Philip Hall, reviewed the progress of implementing the agreement. Discussions centered on streamlining rules of origin and advancing the governmental structure to oversee its provisions through the establishment of a Partnership Council and its technical committees.
Qudah emphasized the importance of addressing challenges related to the complexities of the rules of origin and the high compliance and export costs. These challenges are significant when compared to the facilitations granted by the United Kingdom to competing countries under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) program. He advocated for a review of the current terms of the simplified rules of origin decision to ensure Jordanian products receive preferential access to British markets.
Lord Iain McNicol expressed his country’s eagerness to broaden economic cooperation with Jordan. He highlighted Britain’s commitment to enhancing Jordan’s investment climate and boosting trade exchanges through sustainable initiatives. These initiatives include support for small and medium-sized enterprises and promoting British investment in Jordan’s key productive sectors.
Looking forward, both parties agreed on the necessity of expediting preparations for the upcoming Jordanian-British Business Forum. The event aims to serve as a platform for strengthening bilateral partnerships between the private sectors of both countries and exploring new cooperation opportunities.