Jordan's Industries and Trade Deputy Minister Montaser Okla has invited Pakistani garment and apparel manufacturers to set up industries in its Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs) to enjoy duty-free access to USA. Addressing a seminar on trade and investment potential in Jordan, he said that the Pakistani investment in QIZs had already reached $50 million, adding that total trade between Pakistan and Jordan stood at $2.8 million, which could be increased manifold if businessmen of the two countries recognised each other's needs in the free trade regime.

The Jordanian delegation is in town in connection with Expo-2005. During its stay, the Jordanian minister held meeting with senior government officials and prominent businessmen, and discussed with them ways and means to promote trade between the two countries.

Montaser Okla said the Jordan's total annual import of $5 billion , while Pakistan's share was only $2.1 million, which could be increased substantially by exploring the enormous opportunities in Jordanian markets.

Pakistan exports textile yarn, fabrics, surgical instruments, rice, pharmaceutical, fruits, and vegetable to Jordan, while it imports phosphoric acid, ferrous hydro-oxide, phosphoric fertiliser, seeds, etc.

He said the Jordan's privatisation programme was the most successful in the region as around 60 government enterprises had been privatised. He expressed the hope that his country delegation's visit to Pakistan would be highly beneficial to both countries as it would help identifying the areas of further co-operation.

Addressing the seminar, Jordan's Honorary Consul General Farrukh Qaiser said that five QIZs in Jordan served the needs of foreign investors.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005