ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Jordan have agreed to expand cooperation across trade, investment, banking, energy, and other economic sectors, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said on Thursday.
The understanding was reached during the 10th session of the Pakistan–Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), held in Islamabad on February 4–5.
The meeting, co-chaired by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah, reflects a renewed push to operationalise the framework of the JMC, which was established in 1975.
Jordan was the fifth country to recognise Pakistan following its independence in 1947, and the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1948.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan described the session as a “very good opportunity” to transform historical and political ties into concrete economic cooperation.
“Areas covering trade and investment, industrial development, banking and finance, agriculture and livestock, higher education, vocational training, labour, health, climate change, maritime, energy, mineral resources and many more were discussed,” he said at a joint news conference.
Jordanian Minister Qudah said it was time for Islamabad and Amman to elevate their economic and trade relations to “a totally different level.”
He also invited Khan to Jordan to hold follow-up talks and announced that the 11th JMC meeting will take place in Jordan next year.
Economic and trade initiatives
As a key outcome of the talks, both sides agreed to pursue a preferential trade agreement (PTA) to enhance market access and reduce trade barriers.
A Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment will lead the PTA negotiations, alongside the activation of a Pakistan–Jordan Business Council to promote private-sector engagement.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Jordan stood at $46.58 million in 2023.
Pakistan’s main exports include textiles, rice, ethyl alcohol, polymers of styrene, sugar confectionaries, nuts and dried fruits.
Jordan mainly exports mineral and chemical fertilisers, ferrous waste and scrap, inorganic acids, chemicals, medicaments, and seeds to Pakistan.
Pakistan and Jordan also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Information Technology and Telecommunications, aimed at fostering digital innovation and cooperation between the ICT sectors of both countries.
Broad sectoral cooperation
Both sides pledged to expand collaboration across 16 priority sectors, including banking and finance, energy, mining, industry, agriculture, halal standards, education, skills development, healthcare, climate change, maritime affairs, media, culture, and tourism.
Institutional linkages and joint working groups will support the implementation of these initiatives.
Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, emphasised the importance of structured follow-up mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the agreed decisions.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan also underscored that the JMC would continue to meet regularly to strengthen bilateral economic engagement.
