A recent Jordanian trade delegation visited Tunisia for economic relations. It marks a new era of collaboration across commercial, industrial, and investment sectors. The Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC), in cooperation with the Tunisian Embassy in Amman, organized extensive meetings with representatives from Tunisia’s public and private sectors.
These discussions resulted in a series of understandings and the renewal of agreements, paving the way for broader economic engagement that aligns with both nations’ mutual interests. ACC highlighted economic agreements linking Jordan and Tunisia with several global economic blocs, enhancing their presence in regional markets like Europe and Africa.
Promising investment opportunities emerged across sectors such as textiles, automotive parts manufacturing, food industries, tourism, logistics, and medical supplies. Tunisian representatives expressed keen interest in investing in Jordan, drawn by its advantageous business environment.
Bilateral trade between Jordan and Tunisia reached $35 million in 2023, with an even split between the two countries. Jordan’s exports, which include chemicals, plastics, textiles, metals, food products, and agricultural goods, underscore the diversified nature of economic exchange.
Plans include sector-specific visits for business owners from both countries, starting with a delegation focused on clothing and footwear scheduled to visit Tunisia within the next two months. This initiative aims to foster knowledge exchange and explore trade cooperation and joint ventures.
In meetings with Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development, Kalthoum Ben Rejeb, and ACC President Khalil Haj Tawfiq, the need to strengthen business cooperation between the two countries was emphasized. Tawfiq advocated for addressing trade flow impediments across legislative, logistical, and administrative domains, and proposed establishing a joint higher committee to facilitate exhibitions and networking events.
Ben Rejeb underscored the importance of these meetings in enhancing economic ties and identifying new trade avenues, particularly in strategic sectors like pharmaceuticals, automotive components, electrical goods, and food industries. Tunisia’s role as a gateway to Africa and Jordan’s positioning for Gulf markets offer major potential for economic integration.
Key figures and representatives from the logistics and textile sectors also met with Samir Majoul, President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts. Discussions focused on enhancing economic relations and expanding trade exchanges, underscoring mutual commitment to advancing bilateral economic cooperation.
Hajj Tawfiq, addressing the Tunisian Confederation, highlighted the economic dimension of Jordanian-Tunisian relations, advocating for a robust financial foundation centered on joint investments and expanded business opportunities. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive database to assess Tunisia’s economic sectors and investment climate, urging increased Tunisian investments in Jordan.
Majoul stressed establishing an economic program between the two countries, prioritizing investments, and leveraging their strategic locations near neighboring markets. Tunisia’s substantial capabilities across various economic sectors, serving as a gateway to both African and European markets, were highlighted. Majoul cited successful Jordanian investment ventures in Tunisia as potential models for further Jordanian investments, advocating for a comprehensive strategy for economic cooperation with special emphasis on sectors such as agriculture and renewable energy.
Discussions with Murad Bin Hussein, Chief of the Tunisian Export Promotion Centre, focused on fostering bilateral investment cooperation. Increased partnership through more frequent meetings between the public and private sectors of both countries was emphasized. The delegation highlighted the importance of organizing joint meetings and exchange visits of trade delegations to explore new partnership opportunities.
Haj Tawfiq noted that this meeting reinforces the strong and enduring relations between Jordan and Tunisia, aiming to expand cooperation and economic partnership. He stressed the necessity of promoting trade exchange and investment opportunities, advocating for exhibitions and trade events to showcase both countries’ products, opportunities, and capabilities.
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