ACC Discusses Economic Relations with Spain
11/11/2024
The Board of Directors of the Amman Chamber of Commerce held a meeting with the Governor of the Spanish city of Siero, Ángel Antonio González, and his accompanying delegation, to explore ways of enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of tourism, food industries, agriculture, renewable energy, and information technology.
Chamber Chairman, Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq, emphasized that Jordan and Spain have strong relations in various sectors, especially economic and trade relations. He stressed the importance of activating signed agreements and enhancing communication between the business community and the private sector in both friendly countries.
He also highlighted the importance of encouraging the private sector in both countries to develop cooperation in trade, tourism, and investment, as well as increasing the number of economic delegations, holding exhibitions, and organizing bilateral meetings between Jordanian businessmen and their counterparts in the Siero region. He also stressed the need to increase and diversify the goods exchanged.
During the meeting, held at the Chamber's premises, Al-Haj Tawfiq expressed the Chamber's readiness to form an economic delegation representing various sectors to visit the Spanish province of Siero, located in the Asturias region in northern Spain. The purpose of the visit would be to explore economic, investment, and service opportunities, identify non-traditional markets, and explore new fields for cooperation between the two sides.
He pointed out that trade exchanges between the two countries are still below expectations, despite the availability of opportunities and capabilities, which requires further efforts to enhance them and find effective tools to activate them and remove any obstacles that hinder the flow of goods in both directions.
Al-Haj Tawfiq also mentioned the decision of the Arab Chamber Union to establish the Arab-Spanish Chamber of Commerce with the aim of enhancing economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the Arab countries and Spain and raising the level of economic relations to meet future challenges, especially given the significant commercial, economic, and investment capabilities of both sides.
For his part, Governor Ángel Antonio González confirmed the desire to establish partnerships with the Jordanian private sector in the fields of trade, investment, and the exchange of expertise and economic opportunities. He also emphasized opening new horizons, exploring new markets, and developing joint projects.
González pointed out that the nature and diversity of Siero Province opens the door for cooperation with Jordan and establishing commercial partnerships in many sectors, such as education, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, iron and steel industries, meat and livestock, dairy products, fruits, and more. He noted that this diversity enhances the potential for cooperation between the two countries in various fields, providing opportunities for joint projects that contribute to achieving economic growth for both sides.
Chamber Board Members present at the meeting emphasized the importance of focusing on the tourism sector, particularly educational and cultural tourism, and the possibility of linking tourism and travel companies and agents. They confirmed that this sector represents a vital area that can significantly contribute to strengthening economic relations between the two countries.
They pointed out that tourism, including cultural and educational tourism, offers a valuable opportunity for exchange between the two countries, especially in light of Jordan’s rich history and distinctive tourist attractions. They also highlighted the diverse tourist landmarks in the Spanish city of Siero, which boasts unique tourism features, making it an attractive tourist destination. This diversity offers opportunities for exchanging expertise and tourism programs between the two countries and encourages organizing joint tourism visits.
The meeting was attended by the Chamber’s Vice Chairmen, Nabil Khateeb and Bahjat Hamdan, Board Members Alaa Al-Din Diraniah and Falah Al-Saghir, Siero Municipality Director Maria Isabel González, and the Deputy Head of the Economic and Commercial Office at the Spanish Embassy in Jordan, Rita Al-Nimri.
