Jordan Times
Sunday, February 1, 2009
‘New measures will boost Jordan-Iraq trade’
By Hani Hazaimeh
AMMAN/KARAMA BORDER CROSSING - New measures announced by the government to facilitate the entry and residency of Iraqis in the Kingdom will more than double the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, the Iraqi envoy in Amman said on Saturday.
"In 2008, Iraq was the Jordan’s biggest trading partner, as Jordanian private sector's exports to Iraq amounted to over JD1 billion,” Iraqi Ambassador Saad Hayyani told The Jordan Times on Saturday.
“The new measures will encourage more bilateral economic cooperation," he added.
Earlier this month, His Majesty King Abdullah directed the government to take immediate measures to facilitate the entry and residency of Iraqi citizens in the Kingdom.
Hayyani said the King's directives indicate his concern for Iraqi citizens in Jordan, adding that Prime Minister Nouri Maliki expressed the Iraqi government’s appreciation of this gesture in a phone call with Prime Minister Nader Dahabi.
Under the new measures, announced on Thursday during a ministerial committee field visit to the Karama border crossing, Iraqi investors will be issued cards entitling them to special treatment by facilitating entry and exit procedures at all border crossings.
"Iraqi investors can obtain the card after fulfilling certain requirements of the Jordan Investment Board,” Interior Minister Eid Fayez told reporters in Karama.
He added that until applicants receive the card they will be issued a one-month visa at the borders, extendable for another two months.
The ministerial committee included Transport Minister Alaa Batayneh and Minister of Public Works and Housing Sahl Majali.
Under the new measures, which, according to Fayez, will be sent to the Cabinet for endorsement during its weekly meeting on Tuesday, a one-time security clearance will be required from Iraqi investors who apply for residency in Jordan, and the permit can be renewed at the Interior Ministry without the need for a new security check.
Also, unmarried Iraqi adults over the age of 18 who still live with their parents will not require a residency permit as they will be covered by their fathers’, while those who have been legally residing in the Kingdom for several years will be eligible for a five-year residency permit.
During Thursday’s field visit, Majali announced the ministry's intention to relocate the Karama border crossing seven kilometres closer to the town of Rweished.
"The process is under study by the ministry's team of technical experts and the implementation will take place at the beginning of 2010,” he said, adding that in the meantime, the current location will be renovated to streamline services.
Batayneh, for his part, said the Transport Ministry is working to link the Royal Jordanian (RJ) computer network with the security authorities in order to facilitate the issuance of visas for Iraqis at the airport.
Moreover, he announced that the working hours of customs personnel at the border dealing with cargo would be extended until 11:00pm.
Batayneh also said the cargo exchange station at the border would be rehabilitated within a month at the expense of the private company managing the location.
During the visit, several Iraqi drivers complained about a shortage of equipment at the exchange point, such as cranes and loading and unloading ramps, as well as the absence of electricity and water services.
"The current year will witness a new phase of the reconstruction of Iraq; we call on the Jordanian private sector to be a major player in the construction efforts," Hayyani stressed, noting that two RJ and three Iraqi Airlines flights that operate daily are always fully booked.
Proposed steps:
• Legal residents can own more than one car.
• Businessmen can obtain a six-month multiple entry visa.
• Residence permit holders can purchase real estate without security clearance.
• Iraqis with valid residencies in other countries can buy real estate in the Kingdom.
• Iraqi driving licence holders can change it into a 10-year Jordanian licence.
• Unmarried Iraqis over 18 who live with their parents will not require a separate residence permit.