Economic and Commerce Bureau
Contact: 202-362-4436

April 19, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jordan - U.S. Investment and Trade Forum Kicks Off in Washington D.C.
and San Francisco

Forum marks 10th anniversary of historic free trade agreement, explores investment opportunities and market access for U.S. companies
 

April 19, 2010, Washington, D.C. – Marking the 60th Anniversary of U.S.–Jordanian diplomatic relations and the 10th Anniversary of signing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Jordan and the U.S., the first with an Arab country, the U.S.-Jordan Investment and Trade Forum will kick off in both Washington D.C. and San Francisco on April 19 and 21 respectively. Organized by the Economic and Commerce Bureau of the Embassy of Jordan and the Jordan Investment Board in cooperation with the U.S.–Jordan Business Alliance and in partnership with Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), the forum highlights the significant impact of the historic bilateral economic relationship and presents a platform for American and Jordanian private sector leaders and senior government officials to explore investment and business opportunities.

“The opportunities for trade and investment between the U.S. and Jordan have transformed our economy and created more than 300 percent surge in exports for the U.S. into Jordan and through Jordan into the Middle East,” said Fawaz Bilbeisi, Director of Jordan Economic and Commerce Bureau in Washington D.C. “While this forum celebrates the historic milestone of the first FTA between the U.S. and the Arab world and the fourth U.S. FTA negotiated, it also provides a platform to further the public private partnership framework driving mega-projects and infrastructure master plans behind Jordan’s role as an economic gateway and regional hub. In addition to mega-projects, our forum brings together government and private sector leaders serving the thriving sectors of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, and Renewable Energy & Green Technologies. Jordan’s growing economy, educated work force and regional strategic location are fueling these strategic sectors, and attracting U.S. investment in them.”

The Forum provides a pathway for doing business in Jordan and through Jordan into the Middle East and North Africa region by featuring Jordan’s most senior representatives, led by H.E. Minister Amer Hadidi, Minister of Industry and Trade, along with the ministers of Public Sector Development & Minister of State for Mega Projects, Information and Communication Technology and Energy and Mineral Resources.

“Under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s patronage and economic vision, we are assembling the decision makers, thought leaders and visionaries from both our countries to drive investment behind the strategic sectors and projects with the most immediate opportunity,” said H.E. Minister Hadidi. “For companies and institutions interested in our country and Middle East markets, this forum presents an ideal stage for furthering mutual investment objectives. Jordan’s educated labor pool, duty-free access to major regional and international markets and leadership in growth markets combine to offer many opportunities.”

Senior representatives from the United States Trade Representative office, Department of State and Department of Commerce will join this formidable forum along with the leading representatives of financial institutions facilitating regional progress, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Arab Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Rounding out the forum are the leading Jordanian and U.S. private sector chief executives and experts from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, and Renewable Energy & Green industries thriving in Jordan.

Mega-projects that are underway include Aqaba Port Development Program (2 billion USD), Disi Water Conveyance System (1 billion USD), Aqaba New Water Front - Marsa Zayed (10 billion USD), Abdali Urban Regeneration Project (1.5 billion USD), Queen Alia International Airport (750 million USD), several power (IPP) projects in excess of 800 million USD. Additional projects to be discussed that are in the planning phase include: Upgrading & Expansion of Jordan Petroleum Refinery, Amman Ring Road, Jordan National Railway System, Amman-Zarqa Light Railway, Jordan National Red Sea Water Development Project (JRSP), Aqaba New Port and several special multi-sectoral development zones.

The forum features the following concurrent breakout interactive sessions: Turning Energy Challenges into Opportunities – Tapping into Alternative Resources and Developing; Healthcare and Pharmaceutical – A Renowned Regional and International Healthcare Center Delivering World Class Medical Services and products; and Information and Communication Technology – A Leading Technological Hub in the Middle East and a Global Destination for Business Process Outsourcing.
 

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Media contact: Brad Thatcher, Thatcher+Co., 917-304-4937 bthatcher@thatcherandco.com