Baghdad: A Jordanian industrial delegation on Friday began a visit to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, aimed to enhance joint economic relations and benefit from the current opportunities in the Iraqi market to reach complementary industrial partnerships and projects. Organized by the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), in cooperation with Jordan Export House, the several-day visit will feature talks with Iraqi industrial and commercial activities and the Jordanian-Iraqi business forum on the sidelines of the Baghdad International Fair, as Jordanian industrial companies are set to participate through a special pavilion.
According to Jordan News Agency, JCI Chairman, Fathi Jaghbir, stated that the delegation's trip seeks to enhance the presence of Jordanian industries in the Iraqi market, which is considered a strategic depth for national exports. Jaghbir emphasized the chamber's efforts to restore Jordanian exports to Iraq to previous levels, when the Iraqi market accounted for about 20% of total national exports.
The forum, attended by Jordan's Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Yarub Qudah, and Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khaled Batal, is part of the ongoing cooperation between the private and public sectors to strengthen mutual economic relations. This event will feature a dialogue session on Jordanian-Iraqi trade exchange, themed "Visions and a Bright Future."
Jaghbir noted the private sector's collaborative efforts with the government to boost trade exchange and deepen relations among Jordanian and Iraqi business owners and companies have started to yield results. This growth was evident in the increase in Jordanian exports to the Iraqi market, which saw a 45% rise over 11 months last year.
Two years ago, the JCI successfully organized a specialized exhibition for Jordanian industries in Baghdad, with the participation of a large foreign industrial delegation. This was followed by several joint forums in Jordan and Iraq, which led to many understandings with the Iraqi private sector and the establishment of joint chambers.
Head of the JCI's Iraq file, Ihab Qadiri, mentioned that the forum will witness significant participation from the Jordanian industrial sector, with 70 Jordanian companies attending the event. This highlights the strategic position of the Iraqi market as a key destination for Jordanian exports.
National exports to Iraq achieved a growth of 45.6% during 11 months last year, reaching JD830 million, compared to JD570 million for the same period in 2023, according to official data. Iraq also ranked second with 25.4% of the total value of Jordanian exports to the countries of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), which amounted to JD3.257 billion during 11 months last year.