JBA organized The Jordanian-Turkish Business Forum in cooperation with the Turkish Embassy in Amman , on Saturday Dec. 10, 2016 with the participation of a number of Turkish companies representing The Economic Club of Turkey , headed by Mr. Taner Bozkurt ,President of Club ,aiming to raise the trade volume and joint investments in the various fields, with a focus on the business environment in the Kingdom. The Forum was patronized by HE Dr. Yousef Mansour , State Minister for Economic Affairs , and was attended by HE Mr. Murat Karagoz, Ambassador of Turkey.

In remarks at the opening ceremony of the forum, The Minister of State for Economic Affairs Dr. Yousef Mansour said that despite the political and security conditions surrounding it, Jordan was still capable of attracting and incubating investments, calling on Turkish businessmen to invest in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and exploit the incentives and privileges it offers.The minister also pointed to the outcome of the London donor conference, notably the signing of a trade agreement between Jordan and the European Union on relaxing rules of origin, which covered 18 developmental areas in the Kingdom, in addition to a host of other agreements signed with global blocs that facilitate the access of Jordanian products to various world nations.
HE Mr. Hamdi Tabba, JBA Chairman addressed the participants saying that relations between the Jordanian and Turkish private sectors had entered "a successful phase" in their advancement, thanks to the Jordanian-Turkish Business Council, which was signed in 1994 to enhance economic ties .

Jordan had remained a world business destination as it maintained growth and monetary stability, pursued modernisation of the business climate and infrastructure and updated economic legislation despite the regional insecurity.He expressed the hope that a new direct aviation route between Amman and Ankara and the operation of a sea route, RoRo service, between the Turkish port of Iskenderun and the Port of Aqaba, which was agreed by the two countries' governments, would enhance bilateral trade and overcome problems resulting from the closure of the Jordanian border with Syria
He added : There are increasing Turkish investments in Jordan in the fields of clothing and textiles, food manufacturing packaging and plastics, defense industries, in addition to the infrastructure projects in the water and energy sectors, and many prospective projects are present for the Turkish businessmen to consider such as renewable energy ,railway transport, IT, pharmaceuticals manufacturing and fertilizers. And I recall that during the visit of HE Mr. Nehat ZEBAKSHI , Minister of Economy of Turkey in 2014 heading the delegation of Turkish Businessmen, , they visited Aqaba & Mafraq and were offered land equipped with suitable infrastructure for the establishment of a Turkish industrial zone in Aqaba.
Regarding bilateral trade , We are meeting to discuss expanding the trade exchanges especially since the Free Trade Agreement between both countries became effective in 2011 and the alleviation of all trade barriers and entry visas between Jordan & Turkey , but still these exchanges are below the potentials, since 90% of the volume of trade are Turkish export commodities to Jordan , therefore , the business community in Jordan should intensify efforts in order to reach a more balanced trade exchange and wider varieties of exports to enter the Turkish market , to include potash , phosphate , fertilizers , pharmaceuticals , and a wide variety of goods .
Although the current instability in the region placed obstacles to trade exchanges between Jordan and Turkey through land transport and closure of the northern borders , but this aspect was managed successfully by both Governments through the recent initiation of the direct air transport line between Amman and Ankara, in addition to the reliance on maritime transport through the port of Aqaba , further more , Jordan invited Turkey to establish maritime transport “Ro-Ro” line, between Turkish ”Eskendrona” port and the port of Aqaba.
Besides trade and investment, the services sector is a very promising sector for cooperation between us especially tourism , so far , the flow of tourists is almost one way from Jordan to Turkey bearing in mind that Jordan is distinguished in the medical tourism and rich in religious and historical sites , which make Jordan an attractive tourist destination for Turkish people . This fact requires extensive efforts from businessmen in both sides in order to encourage Turkish tourists seeking recreation and natural health treatment to visit Jordan in addition to the religious sites .Mr. Taner Bozkurt ,President of The Economic Club of Turkey, expressed the Turkish private sector interest in the enhancement of trade and investment between both countries .
HE Mr. Murat Karagoz, Ambassador of Turkey, reviewed the distinguished economic relations between Jordan and Turkey .