AMMAN — Jordan Chamber of Commerce President Khalil Hajj Tawfiq on Monday met with Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti and Tunisian Ambassador to Jordan Moufida Zaribi.

 

During the meeting, Hajj Tawfiq announced a new Jordanian–Tunisian initiative expected to boost bilateral economic, trade and investment ties by positioning Jordan as a gateway to the Arab Mashreq and Tunisia as a gateway to the Arab Maghreb, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

Hajj Tawfiq stressed the need to expand economic and investment cooperation in line with the strong relations between the two countries.

 

He said that the initiative would position Jordan as a gateway for Tunisian companies to markets in Palestine, Iraq, Syria and the Gulf, while enabling Jordanian businesses to expand into North African and African markets through Tunisia.

 

Nafti stressed the importance of capitalising on the geographic positions of both countries to access wider regional and African markets, while enhancing connectivity and cooperation across key economic sectors.

 

He also invited the JCC to participate in an upcoming investment forum in Tunisia, which will bring together business leaders and economic stakeholders from several countries.

 

Hajj Tawfiq said the Jordanian–Tunisian Joint Business Council, established in 1996, would soon be reactivated and restructured to support private-sector cooperation and address challenges facing businesses and investors in both countries.

 

He highlighted the need for enhanced coordination between the two countries’ private sectors through regular business meetings, trade delegations and joint economic initiatives.

 

He also proposed establishing a shared database containing updated information on economic sectors, trade and investment opportunities, and regulatory frameworks to facilitate partnerships and improve access to information for investors.

 

Hajj Tawfiq stressed the importance of accurate and up-to-date information to support investment decisions, as well as improved air and logistics connectivity to facilitate the movement of businesspeople and trade delegations.

 

He said Jordan’s strategic location, trade agreements and infrastructure position it as a regional hub for business, logistics and re-export activities, creating opportunities for wider regional partnerships.

 

He added that Tunisia provides Jordanian companies with access to North African and African markets, describing the relationship as an opportunity to strengthen Arab economic integration.

 

Nafti reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Jordan and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, stressing the role of the private sector in translating longstanding political relations into practical partnerships and joint projects.

 

He noted that Jordanian–Tunisian economic relations are built on a solid foundation developed over decades, with chambers of commerce playing a key role in advancing trade cooperation.

 

He said bilateral trade remains below the aspirations of both countries despite available opportunities, stressing the importance of reactivating the Joint Business Council and strengthening engagement between business communities.

 

Zaribi also reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation with Jordan in line with shared interests, expressing hope for a new phase in bilateral relations that would open further avenues for cooperation.

 

Participants discussed proposals to expand economic cooperation, including joint investments in industrial zones and free zones, stronger tourism ties, support for Jordanian pharmaceutical exports, cooperation in Syria’s reconstruction, and opportunities in the IT, education and health sectors.

 

They also stressed the need to boost bilateral trade, noting that Jordan exported goods worth JD10 million to Tunisia last year, while imports totalled JD13 million.