Amman, Oct. 3 (Petra) – Indicators recorded during the first seven
months of this year confirm a “sustained positive shift” in trade
between Jordan and the European Union, particularly regarding the
ability of Jordanian exports to access European markets, Chairman of
the European Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (EuroCham Jordan),
Mohammad Smadi, said.

In a statement to “Petra” on Saturday, Smadi noted that the 20.3%
rise in exports, reaching JD367 million, compared to JD305 million
during the same period last year, coupled with a 7.2% decline in
imports, reflects an improvement in the trade relationship, even
though the volume of exchange remains “clearly in favor” of the
European side.

Also during the January-July period of this year, he stated the key
lies in analyzing growth indicators and trade volume, as Jordanian
exports rose to approximately 22% of the value of imports from the EU
, up from about 17% during the same period last year.

He said this growth represents a “significant” improvement while
simultaneously highlighting substantial room for further growth.

He called for building “deeper” production and investment
partnerships with Europe, noting that the existing partnership
agreement with the EU, along with preferential arrangements and rules
of origin, offer “crucial” opportunities, yet the extent to which
these privileges are currently used still falls short of the
available potential.

He highlighted the importance of attracting European investments to
Jordan that are geared to enhance production and export, assist
Jordanian companies in meeting European technical and environmental
standards and requirements, and reduce costs related to production,
energy, transport, and logistics.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need to intensify direct promotion of
Jordanian products and link Jordanian companies with European
importers, distributors, and value chains to boost exports to higher
levels.

He also pointed to the importance of diversifying the range of
exported goods, increasing value-added content, and opening new
markets within the European Union.

He noted that the European market possesses “high” purchasing power,
and broader access to it could have a “direct, positive” impact on
investment, employment, and growth in Jordan.

He added that EuroCham underscores the necessity of involving the
private sector as a “fundamental” pillar in these transformations.

“The chamber’s role goes beyond merely promoting Jordan to building
practical ties between Jordanian and European companies and
translating relationships, visits, and meetings into export
contracts, investments, and sustainable production partnerships,” he
pointed out.

Praising current figures as “encouraging,” he noted that the priority
now aims to transform this growth, currently seen as an annual
improvement in indicators, into a “sustainable trajectory that
steadily increases the market share of Jordanian products in Europe
year after year.”
//Petra//AG