Friday 26 / July / 2024
Muscat: The visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to Jordan on Wednesday will boost cooperation between the two countries in various spheres, especially in the economic, tourism, trade and investment areas.
Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al Ojaili, Ambassador of Oman to Jordan affirmed that His Majesty’s visit to Jordan has a great importance, as it is the first official visit of His Majesty to Jordan since assuming the reins of powers in the country.
He also said that the visit will address a series of important issues besides discussing the distinguished fraternal relations between the two countries, that extend over 53 years. He described the relations between Oman and Jordan as a vivid example of fraternity, cooperation and understanding.
The ambassador also underlined the importance of His Majesty’s visit in elevating the commercial, investment and industrial exchange and cooperation in all fields, in addition to boosting cooperation between the private sectors in the two countries.
Amjad Al Quhaiwi, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Sultanate of Oman pointed out that the visit of His Majesty comes in response to an invitation by King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan.
He said that the visit reflects the distinguished and historic relations between the two countries.
He pointed out that the visit coincides with the Kingdom of Jordan’s celebration of the silver jubilee of King Abdullah II assuming the reins of power.
He explained that there are opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of information technology (IT), food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, mining and communications industries, stressing the joint keenness to promote economic cooperation and removing any obstacles facing businessmen and the private sector.
Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) show that the volume of trade exchange between Oman and Jordan witnessed remarkable growth during 2023, rising by 25 percent increase to reach about OMR74.51 million, compared to OMR59.72 million in 2022.
Statistics further show that Omani exports to Jordan during 2023 increased by 28.2 percent, to exceed OMR43.85 million, compared to more than OMR34.20 million in 2022. The total value of Oman’s imports from Jordan in 2023 increased by 41.5 percent to about OMR27.51, compared to OMR19.44 million in 2022.
Preliminary statistics further reveal that the value of direct investments from Jordan into Oman amounted to about OMR241.80 million at the end of last year.
With regard to the tourism sector, the number of Omani tourists who visited Jordan, according to the latest statistics last year, reached 21,738, and their number this year until the end of last April reached 6,757.
-With ONA inputs
