ACC and West London Chambers of Commerce Sign MoU to Enhance Economic Cooperation

The Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and the West London Chambers of Commerce (WLCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the business communities of Jordan and the United Kingdom, while expanding direct channels of communication between Jordanian and British companies to foster new partnerships and joint ventures.

According to a statement issued by the Chamber, the MoU was signed on behalf of the Amman Chamber of Commerce by its Chairman, Senator Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq, and on behalf of the West London Chambers of Commerce by Chief Executive Officer Alan Rides, in the presence of Jordan's Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Eng. Yarub Qudah, and Minister of Investment, Dr. Tareq Abu Ghazaleh. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Jordan–UK Business Forum, held in London under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, with the participation of senior government officials and business leaders from both countries.

The forum aimed to highlight the investment opportunities available in Jordan, strengthen ties between the Jordanian and British private sectors, open new avenues for trade and investment partnerships, and facilitate direct business-to-business meetings between companies and investors from both sides.

Chairman Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq stated that signing the MoU within the framework of the Royal-sponsored forum reflects the commitment to translating the distinguished Jordanian–British relationship into practical and direct economic partnerships between the private sectors of both countries. He emphasized the importance of capitalizing on available opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment and expand cooperation in sectors of mutual interest.

He stressed that the Amman Chamber of Commerce views the MoU not merely as a protocol framework but as an institutional action plan that should lead to tangible results through increased business engagement, exchange of trade delegations, organization of business meetings, promotion of investment opportunities, and opening new channels for Jordanian products and services in the UK market.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of the UK market for Jordan's private sector, noting that stronger direct engagement between business leaders in both countries would help identify new opportunities in trade, services, and investment, while also facilitating knowledge transfer, technology exchange, and the sharing of expertise.

Al-Haj Tawfiq added that Jordan offers significant competitive advantages, a well-developed business environment, and a strategic geographic location that positions it as an ideal gateway for British companies seeking access to regional markets. He underscored the need to raise greater awareness within the British business community about the diverse investment opportunities available across Jordan's economic sectors.

He further noted that the key challenge in the coming phase is to translate the momentum generated by the forum and His Majesty the King's meetings with British business leaders and investors into implementable projects and partnerships through institutional mechanisms that ensure follow-up, continuity, and measurable outcomes.

Under the terms of the MoU, the two parties will cooperate, in coordination with private sector partners in Jordan and the UK, to establish a Joint Business Council representing various economic sectors. The Council will aim to strengthen trade and investment relations, increase exports of goods and services, and support partnerships between members of the two business communities.

The Council is expected to serve as a permanent platform linking Jordanian and British companies, identifying priority sectors and opportunities, and following up on joint initiatives and projects to ensure that business contacts and meetings evolve into sustainable economic partnerships.

For his part, Alan Rides, Chief Executive Officer of the West London Chambers of Commerce, said that the signing of the MoU with the Amman Chamber of Commerce marks an important step toward building a deeper institutional relationship between the business communities of West London and Jordan. He affirmed that there are substantial opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, services, and technology.

He also highlighted the importance of leveraging the Chamber's extensive business network to connect companies from both countries, create new business channels, and facilitate access to opportunities and markets of mutual interest.

Rides added that the West London Chambers of Commerce looks forward to working closely with the Amman Chamber of Commerce to translate the provisions of the MoU into practical initiatives, foremost among them the establishment of the Joint Business Council, the exchange of trade delegations, the organization of direct business meetings, the exchange of information and expertise, and the development of joint training and capacity-building programs. These efforts will contribute to building sustainable partnerships and strengthening the presence of Jordanian companies in the UK market and British companies in the Jordanian market.

The Memorandum of Understanding also provides for the exchange of information related to markets, trade, investment, and the economy, as well as studies, publications, and information concerning legislation and policies governing foreign trade and investment, enabling companies on both sides to better understand available opportunities.

In addition, the MoU encourages and facilitates the exchange of economic and trade delegations, promotes communication between business leaders, supports investment opportunities and commercial partnerships, and encourages the exchange of expertise and technology between members of both Chambers.

The two parties will also cooperate in participating in and promoting specialized commercial and technology exhibitions, forums, seminars, conferences, workshops, and economic events held in Jordan and the United Kingdom, with the aim of promoting products and services, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and strengthening business networking.

Furthermore, the agreement includes cooperation in organizing training programs and workshops, exchanging staff and study visits, implementing joint capacity-building initiatives in areas of mutual interest, and exchanging official visits and institutional expertise to enhance the services provided to members of both Chambers.

The West London Chambers of Commerce is one of the leading organizations representing and supporting the business community in West London, primarily covering the boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing, and Hammersmith & Fulham, with historical roots dating back to 1908.