A seminar organized in Paris recently with the participation of more than 70 French companies contributed to widening trade and investment cooperation between Jordan and France.

A Jordanian delegation led by Minister of Industry & Trade, Salem Khazaa’leh, took part in the seminar organized by the Arab-French Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Jordanian-French Friendship Society at the French Senate and the Jordanian Embassy in Paris.

Addressing the participants, Khazaleh said direct foreign investment in Jordan rose from €815 million in 2005 up to about €2 billion in 2006. “This is due to the positive development of Jordan’s economy and the favorable investment climate in the kingdom,” he said.
He paid tribute to the French companies’ contribution to this development through their investment in vital economic sectors which reflects the close ties of cooperation between Amman and Paris.

Delegation member Muhammad Abu Hammur, president of the Executive Commission of Privatization said the privatization program has improved competitiveness of Jordan’s economy, attracted more investment and created more jobs. The privatization plan for the coming two years includes among other projects the Central Company of Electricity Generation, Electricity Distribution, Royal Jordanian, Queen Noor Technical Committee for Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation Authority, Aqaba Railway, and Jordanian Post Company. CEO of Jordan Investment Board investment Maen Nsour said investment opportunities in Jordan center in areas such tourism, information technology, pharmaceuticals and medical appliances, electronics and many other products.

France is the second biggest investor in Jordan after Kuwait, Nsour said noting that French investment during the past five years amounted to €800 million with their investment projects centering in telecommunications, banking, hotels and water sector.
Deputy Chairman of the Jordanian-French Friendship Society said many French companies were interested in investing in Jordan encouraged by the incentives offered by the Jordanian government to attract foreign investments. There are now about 40 French companies operating in Jordan.¦France’s 2nd biggest investor in Jordan
Paris seminar highlights economic cooperation.

Star Newspaper
 

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