Embassy of Jordan Selects Leading Research Institute to Promote Trade and Investment

RTI International to manage Jordan trade and investment out reach promotion program in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC (May 22, 2006) – The Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has selected RTI International, one of the largest independent nonprofit research organizations in the United States to lead an aggressive outreach program to increase Jordanian exports to the U.S. and to attract U.S foreign investments into Jordan.

The effort, funded by the government of Jordan and managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Embassy’s Economic and Commerce Bureau in Washington, DC is intended to develop and promote business linkages between companies in Jordan and the U.S. to build a more sustainable trade and investment relationship between the two countries.

The program aims to increase the number and capacity of Jordanian exporters to the U.S. and introduce U.S. companies into the Jordanian economy. The program intends to deliver measurable benefits to the Jordanian economy by strengthening the competitiveness of Jordanian producers, encouraging investment and technology transfer into the country, and creating new job opportunities in key growth sectors.

“Jordan’s progressive economic reforms, stable economic and political infrastructure, and geographic location provide trade and investors partners with access to a dynamic regional market,” said Karim Kawar, Ambassador of Jordan. “This program is consistent with Jordan’s determination to be a regional leader in the global marketplace.”

The program also aims to capitalize on the advantages of the Jordan U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which was signed in 2000 and is the fourth free trade agreement signed by the U.S. and the first signed with an Arab country. The RTI team will work to expand on Jordan’s success in the apparel industry and will target other high value added industries, such as pharmaceuticals and information communications and technology to support Jordan’s growth as a technology and healthcare center in the Middle East.

The RTI International team has more than 40 years of experience with investment and export promotion activities throughout the world. The RTI team will research market opportunities, target firms, and visit directly with potential importers and investors to advance business relationships and transactions between the two countries. Throughout the program, the RTI team will work in close partnership with Jordan’s key counterpart organizations responsible for attracting investment and trade, the Jordan Investment Board (JIB), Jordan Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO), and Jordan Upgrading and Modernization Project (JUMP), and will work closely with many stakeholders from the private sector.

As part of the Jordan trade and investment outreach promotion program, the RTI team plans to recruit and train Jordanian professionals in investment and export promotion techniques so that the program can be closely aligned with the JIB, JEDCO and JUMP in Jordan and potentially integrated with those organizations in the future. The RTI team will be based out of Washington, DC.

RTI International is the founding tenant of the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the world’s largest and most successful research and development zone. A world leader in international development research and services, RTI International has nearly 50 years of experience and has completed projects in more than 120 countries, including Jordan. RTI International has provided technical assistance and research in education, democratic governance, public finance and economic growth, environmental management, and health to clients in the Middle East and Northern Africa for more than 25 years and maintains an office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

For more information please contact:
Lisa Bistreich: (919) 316-3596
Maher Matalka or Yanal Beasha: (202) 362-4436
Patrick Gibbons: (919) 541-6136 news@rti.org