China-Arab expo contributes to increased collaboration, trade ties: Jordanian official

AMMAN -- The upcoming third China-Arab States Expo to be held in China represents "a huge opportunity" for Jordan and China to build new business partnerships and explore investment possibilities, a senior official of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The expo, which will be held from Sept 3 to 6 in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, is a platform for signing agreements and enhancing trade ties between China and Arab countries. In 2016, the expo witnessed the signing of deals and agreements by Chinese and Jordanese businesses worth around $3.17 billion.

"The Chinese market is huge for Jordan. China is one of the largest and top trade partners for the kingdom," Raed Hamada, second vice-president of the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce, told Xinhua.

"We strongly believe that there is a large room for increased cooperation in various economic aspects with China... the exhibition is also an opportunity to increase Jordan's exports to China by building networks with Chinese business people," Hamada added.

Stressing the importance of the exhibition, which opens the door for investors from both countries to look into joint investments, he said that several Jordanian companies will be present.

He also said that Jordan is a safe and secure hub in the Middle East for Chinese investors, who can take advantage of Jordan's position to penetrate new markets in the region.

"The economic cooperation between China and Jordan is increasing rapidly and it is a reflection of the growing strategic ties between the two countries, and I believe that we can still do more," said Hamada.

He said that the Chinese market enjoys a wide variety of commodities and items that can help the Jordanian industries as well.

Hamada expected several trade agreements to be signed between Jordanian and Chinese businesses during the expo.

Hosam Ayesh, a Jordanian economist, also highlighted the importance of this exhibition, saying that it is an opportunity for Jordan to attract Chinese investment, which will help create more jobs and promote Jordan's economic growth.

"Such events are of great importance for Jordanian industries and businesses to build bridges and explore opportunities of cooperation," Ayesh told Xinhua in an interview.

The exhibition in China is also an opportunity for all Arab investors to explore new fields of cooperation and build on existing fields of cooperation, Ayesh said.