Amman, May 7 (Petra) -- A Jordanian business delegation visiting Spain this week held high-level talks with Spanish counterparts aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment, amid growing interest from Spanish firms in entering the Jordanian market and accessing regional opportunities.

The talks, held at the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, focused on strengthening private sector cooperation across strategic sectors including tourism, healthcare, renewable energy, environmental technologies, water, agri-food industries, and mining.

The visit, organized by the Jordan Europe Business Association (JEBA) in cooperation with the Spanish Chambers of Commerce and supported by the Spanish Embassy in Amman, brought together senior executives from leading Jordanian companies and representatives of Spanish firms exploring potential commercial ties.

According to a statement by JEBA, the Ministry of Investment and the commercial attache at the Spanish Embassy in Amman also participated in the meeting virtually, facilitating direct engagement between institutional and business stakeholders from both countries.

Ali Haider Murad, President of JEBA and First Vice President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, described the meetings as "constructive," noting a clear interest from Spanish companies in establishing a presence in Jordan as a platform for expansion into the wider Middle East and North Africa region.

"There is growing momentum to deepen Jordan–Spain economic cooperation, particularly in sectors aligned with global trends such as green energy, sustainable tourism, and agricultural innovation," Murad said.

He highlighted that discussions also covered investment opportunities in strategic infrastructure projects, including rail and water systems, as well as the potential to expand Jordan’s exports to the Spanish market.

The delegation's agenda includes bilateral business meetings, site visits, and sector-specific networking sessions designed to identify partnership opportunities and support knowledge exchange. Preparations are also underway for a reciprocal visit by a Spanish economic delegation to Jordan in the near future, according to JEBA.

Spain is viewed by Jordanian exporters as a critical entry point into the European Union, offering both access to a large consumer market and opportunities for integration into European value chains. This is particularly relevant as Jordan promotes its national Economic Modernization Vision, which prioritizes investment attraction and export competitiveness.

JEBA underscored its role in facilitating private sector outreach and strengthening commercial diplomacy. The association aims to enhance Jordanian companies’ access to foreign markets while promoting inward investment into sectors identified as national priorities.

In 2024, Jordan’s exports to Spain totaled JD38 million, while imports from Spain reached JD238 million, according to official trade data. Efforts to narrow the trade gap and diversify Jordan’s export base remain key objectives in ongoing bilateral engagements.

Founded in 1995, JEBA is a non-profit organization that brings together Jordanian business leaders and economic experts to advance cooperation between Jordan and European countries.

//Petra// RZ

07/05/2025 09:16:20