Jordan Times
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
US committed to help Jordan
advance development and reform drive — Hale
'Jordan's economy is transforming into one marked by private sector leadership,
export-driven growth and success for hardworking entrepreneurs'
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — The US will seriously look into any request submitted by the Kingdom for
more assistance, the US ambassador to Jordan said Tuesday.
Ambassador David Hale emphasised that the US is committed to helping the Kingdom
go ahead with its development and reform drive.
Responding to press reports that the US intends to cut down its financial
assistance to the Kingdom in 2006, Hale said: “There is no talk in Washington
currently over the possibility of reducing the US assistance to Jordan next
year.”
Stressing that the US is impressed by the Kingdom's achievements and economic
performance, the ambassador indicated that the trade volume between the two
countries is expected to reach a record $1.8 billion this year.
“Jordan's economy is transforming into one marked by private sector leadership,
export-driven growth and success for hardworking entrepreneurs,” the US diplomat
said during a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham-Jordan).
The newly-appointed ambassador reiterated the US commitment to play a supporting
role as Jordanians chart their future. He also highlighted the surge in Jordan's
exports to the US under the Free Trade Agreement, especially in the garment
sector where thousands of Jordanians are finding new jobs each year.
A statement from the US embassy in Amman showed Jordan in the 69th position
among the US trading partners in terms of the volume of trade with the United
States in 2004, up from 74th in 2003.
According to the US International Trade Commission, Jordan's imports from the US
increased from $317 million to $531 million between 2000 and 2004. The Kingdom's
exports to the US increased even more notably from $73 million to $1.09 billion
during the same period.
Principal US commodities imported by Jordan consisted of aircraft parts,
machinery and appliances, vehicles and cereals, while Jordan's main exports to
the US included clothing and accessories, precious stones and metals.
Saying that “reform takes dedication,” Hale suggested that Jordanians look to
other models of success in the world economy where developing nations have come
out ahead.
Citing Singapore's example, Hale said that Jordan could take similar steps even
though its path to economic success may differ from Singapore's.
He singled out Aqaba as a Jordanian model of reform and competitiveness.
AmCham-Jordan Chairman Azzam Shweihat highlighted the importance of promoting
trade between Jordan and the United States.
Speaking of the changes witnessed over the past decade, Shweihat pointed out
that global integration through trade was a vital component of economic growth.
In this context, he identified diversifying the export base and the geographic
distribution of exports as essential to achieving export-led growth.
He added that AmCham-Jordan plays an important role pertaining to bilateral
trade and investment.