AMMAN, JORDAN – Chairman of the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Khalil Haj Tawfiq said the Jordanian Economic Forum with some countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be held in March 2024.
In a statement on Saturday, he said the agreement to set a date for the forum followed a meeting between the ACC’s Board of Directors and Malaysian Ambassador to Jordan, Muhammad Nasri bin Abdul Rahman, who also heads the group of ASEAN embassies in the Kingdom.
Haj Tawfiq added that ACC will host the forum, in cooperation with the ASEAN countries that have embassies in the Kingdom, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Sultanate of Brunei.
The forum aims at enhancing joint trade exchanges and promoting investment opportunities.
Trade exchanges between Jordan and ASEAN grew by 42 percent during 2022, compared to 2021, according to ACC’s statistical data.
The Kingdom’s trade exchanges with ASEAN countries increased during the past year to US$1.8 billion (JD1.279 billion), compared to US$1.2 billion (JD900 million) during 2021, ACC figures showed.
The Kingdom’s exports to ASEAN countries are basically chemical industry products, metal products, textile materials and products, while its imports are mainly pearls, precious stones, textile materials, appliances, electrical and electronic sets, transportation equipment, and food industry products.
Haj Tawfiq said it was also agreed with the Malaysian envoy to hold a remote meeting between ACC and its counterpart in Kuala Lumpur to discuss joint coordination and cooperation mechanisms and sign a memorandum of understanding between the two sides.
Hajj Tawfiq noted Jordan’s commercial and service sector is “keen” to strengthen the Kingdom’s relations with Malaysia due to the available economic and investment capabilities and opportunities.