Jordan Times
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Trade delegation to visit West Bank, Gaza on Saturday
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — A trade delegation will visit the West
Bank and Gaza on Saturday to sign several commercial agreements and discuss
means to boost and enhance economic cooperation with Palestinians.
Industry and Trade Minister Sharif Zu'bi, who will head the delegation
comprising representatives from the private sector, told The Jordan Times that
the visit aims at increasing economic cooperation and boost the trade exchange
between Jordan and the Palestinian territories, as the volume is below the
desired levels.
According to Zu'bi, exports to the West Bank and Gaza Strip averages JD30
million annually.
“This number should reach at least JD300 million and the ministry will work to
achieve this,” he stressed.
Since the beginning of this year until the end of April, the trade volume
between Jordan and the West Bank stood at JD9.4 million of which JD7 million
were exports.
According to the minister, discussions will also cover the establishment of a
joint industrial zone at the borders in addition to setting up a free zone
besides signing many agreements in the commercial, energy and standardisation
areas to enhance economic ties.
“I will discuss with Palestinian officials means to facilitate bilateral trade
exchange and overcome the Israeli obstacles that impede the flow of products
between Jordan and the Palestinian territories, chief among which is the closure
of borders that harms the trade exchange,” Zu'bi said.
He continued: “ We will also look into measures to increase the Kingdom's
exports to the Palestinian markets, which are dominated by the Israelis.”
At a recent meeting, Palestinian officials said they seek to replace Israeli
goods with made-in-Jordan products after a free trade agreement between the two
Arab sides goes into effect.
Deputy Assistant Director of Palestinian Ministry of Economy Abdul Hafiz Noufal
said at a signing ceremony to initial a trade deal, among four agreements
reached between the two sides, that “the tendency among Palestinian decision
makers is to go east, particularly Jordan” bringing an end to Palestinian
reliance on Israeli products.
According to the officials, they will seek to set up a trilateral committee,
including Israel, to discuss ways to address the issue.
The Kingdom imports building stones and olive oil from the West Bank, whereas
exports include food items, agricultural products, plastic products, among other
products.