Jordan Times
Monday, August 2, 2004
Halaiqa sees exports exceeding
$2.5 billion this year
AMMAN (Petra) — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade
Mohammad Halaiqa underlined on Sunday the government's commitment to reduce the
Kingdom's debts to reach 60 per cent of the gross domestic product by executing
an economic restructuring programme.
Speaking at the opening of the World Trade Week- Jordan on behalf of His Majesty
King Abdullah, the minister said that in light of the sound economic, financial
and monetary policies and the close cooperation between the private and public
sectors, exports are expected to exceed $2.5 billion during 2004.
According to Halaiqa, Jordan's national economy is facing serious challenges
posed by the rising economic power of China which has joined the World Trade
Organisation and has become a source of deep concern to many nations.
He referred to US intention of concluding free trade agreements with Morocco and
Bahrain as well as the emergence of the new 25-nation European Union (EU), as
other serious challenges.
Halaiqa emphasised the need for increasing national competitiveness and called
for stronger efforts to sell Jordan's products in the US and European markets
and more cooperation between the private and public sectors to open more markets
for Jordan's exports around the world.
The exhibition was organised by the World Trade Centre-Jordan in collaboration
with the private and public sector institutions. More than 40 local firms
specialised in providing services and marketing products are taking part in the
exhibition.
The week's events shed light on Jordan's trade with the US and the EU in
addition to specialised training courses related to exporting skills designed to
assist new local firms in planning exports successfully and to maintain close
contacts with international experts and organisations.