Amman, June 18 (Petra) — British Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall
said Jordan and the United Kingdom enjoy a close and longstanding
partnership spanning security, education, business, trade and foreign
policy, expressing confidence that cooperation between the two
countries will continue to grow in the coming period.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra) marking the
celebrations of King Charles III’s Official Birthday, Hall said
Jordan and the United Kingdom are “very close partners” and that
cooperation between the two countries serves the interests of both
sides.

He said he looks forward to further strengthening defense and
education ties while maintaining close coordination on foreign policy
issues, adding that trade represents the area with the greatest
potential for growth and that businesses in both countries should
expand cooperation.

Hall described the bilateral partnership as “excellent,” noting that
the historic relationship between Jordan and the United Kingdom
continues to underpin strong cooperation.

On economic and investment cooperation, the ambassador said annual
bilateral trade in goods and services exceeds JD1 billion, or
approximately £1 billion, expressing hope that the figure will
continue to increase.

He highlighted the success of Jordanian companies in entering the
British market, noting that Arab Potash Company and Jordan Phosphate
Mines Company recently exported their first shipment of potash and
phosphate to a fertilizer manufacturer in the United Kingdom.

Hall also pointed to the presence of Jordanian food products in
British markets and said the United Kingdom is working with Jordanian
small and medium-sized enterprises to strengthen their export
capabilities.

He noted Jordan’s success in exporting services, particularly through
JORAMCO, which continues to receive a growing number of European,
including British, aircraft for maintenance and servicing, adding
that the company has become the world’s eighth-largest aircraft
maintenance provider.

The ambassador said three of the world’s leading accounting firms
Deloitte, PwC and EY are expanding their operations in Jordan due to
the availability of skilled local talent.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening links between
technology entrepreneurs and financial technology (FinTech) companies
in both countries, referring to the Tech Connect event hosted in
London last year by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin
Abdullah II, which highlighted significant opportunities for
cooperation.

Hall said Jordan is moving forward with major infrastructure projects
in the railway and water sectors, as well as plans to develop the new
city of Amra.

He noted that these projects coincide with improving regional trade
routes through Syria and increasing trade with Iraq, developments
that could transform Jordan’s economy and create new opportunities
for growth.

The ambassador expressed hope that British companies would
participate in projects related to defense, railways, water, critical
minerals and healthcare, noting that this effort is supported by £3-4
billion in financing from UK Export Finance to support Jordan’s
development priorities.

He also described Hikma Pharmaceuticals as one of Jordan’s
outstanding business success stories, saying its listing on the
London Stock Exchange contributed significantly to its growth into
one of Jordan’s largest and most successful companies.

On cultural and educational cooperation, Hall said the British
Council leads cultural collaboration between the two countries
through artistic, musical and theatrical events that promote
cooperation between Jordanian and British talent.

He said the council also supports innovation in digital arts, the
creative economy and gaming, while promoting the inclusion of persons
with disabilities in the cultural and artistic sectors.

The ambassador highlighted the role of the UK’s Cultural Protection
Fund in preserving Jordan’s tangible and intangible cultural
heritage, as well as the contribution of King Charles III’s Turquoise
Mountain Foundation in supporting artisans from Jordan, Syria and
Palestine by helping them develop their skills and access
international markets.

He also referred to the work of the Council for British Research in
the Levant through its Amman Institute in Jabal Al-Weibdeh.

On education, Hall said the British Council, in cooperation with
Jordan’s Ministry of Education, is training around 10,000
English-language teachers in public schools by next year.

He added that the council teaches English to about 4,000 people
annually, provides training to more than 300 academics at Jordanian
universities and empowers more than 1,000 young people each year
through leadership and skills programmes.

He also noted cooperation between the Ministry of Education and
Pearson to develop technical education through BTEC qualifications,
alongside British curricula provided by Cambridge, Pearson and Oxford
AQA, as well as partnerships between British and Jordanian
universities offering programmes up to the doctoral level in Jordan.
He added that IELTS examinations are available through 12 centres
across the Kingdom.

Regarding refugees, Hall said the United Kingdom is the third-largest
donor to UNRWA and continues to provide educational support for
Syrian refugees and host communities to help ensure children do not
miss out on education.

On youth empowerment, he highlighted the Youth Connect programme
implemented by the British Council in partnership with Jordanian
civil society organizations, which aims to enable young people to
bring positive change to their communities.

Discussing Jordan’s regional role, Hall said the Kingdom continues to
support a two-state solution and reaffirmed the commitment of both
Jordan and the United Kingdom to working toward a just and lasting
peace.

He praised Jordan’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza by land and air,
noting the importance of these efforts amid the difficult
humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The ambassador also said the Jordanian and British armed forces
cooperate closely, adding that Jordan plays an important role in
maintaining internal stability and combating cross-border threats.

He stressed that Jordan’s regional influence exceeds its geographical
and political size, saying the United Kingdom is proud of its
partnership with the Kingdom.

Hall noted that this year’s celebrations also marked the 100th
birthday of Sir David Attenborough, whose work has helped raise
global environmental awareness, and encouraged efforts to protect the
environment, saying Jordan possesses beautiful natural landscapes
that should be preserved.

He also congratulated Jordan on qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for
the first time, describing the Kingdom as “a fabulous country” with
“dignified and welcoming people,” adding that the national football
team reflects those qualities.

//Petra//