Amman: The Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO), in cooperation with the International Trade Center (ITC), has launched the Qarar (Decision) program under the "Improving Business Environment for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises through Trade Facilitation" project. This initiative aims to enhance Jordan's trade flow, bolster the national economy's competitiveness, and attract investment while safeguarding consumer health and safety.
According to Jordan News Agency, the JSMO Director-General Abeer Zuhair emphasized that the program aligns with the organization's mission to balance consumer protection with trade facilitation. Zuhair highlighted that reviewing and re-engineering inspection procedures is a central requirement of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement. She noted that JSMO staff monitoring imports serve as the first line of defense for citizens' health and safety while acting as partners in supporting trade.
Zuhair described the launch of the program as a significant achievement, marking another success in collaboration with the ITC. She praised the dedicated efforts of both teams in completing the project efficiently and swiftly.
Raghad AlTali, manager of the ITC project, explained that the program was developed after thoroughly studying challenges and feedback from service recipients on inspection procedures. She emphasized that the program's completion in record time is a success story that demonstrates JSMO's understanding of the importance of compliance with international requirements under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The JSMO Assistant Director-General for Regulatory Affairs, Wafa Momani, presented the project's objectives and achievements. She outlined the program's role in streamlining import inspection procedures, ensuring consumer health and safety, supporting the investment climate, and strengthening trust among local and international partners.
The event concluded with a call to continue the JSMO-ITC cooperation and expand the program's scope in the future to cover all JSMO requirements, aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision.
According to ITC, the Improving Business Environment for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises through Trade Facilitation project is designed to simplify cross-border trade procedures, reduce costs and delays, and enhance transparency in line with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The project includes initiatives like the Jordan Trade Facilitation Portal and the re-engineering of regulatory processes, aiming to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, foster investment, and create jobs while maintaining consumer protection and aligning Jordan with international standards.