The Jordanian Businessmen Association president H.E Mr. Hamdi Al-Tabaa’a meets on Monday, 6/3/2017, H.E Mr. John Davis, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in Amman. Al-Tabaa’a demonstrates the emergence of the association and its important role in enhancing the relations of Jordanian businessmen with their counterparts in various Arab and foreign countries, and the role of the association in enhancing relations between the two countries. He pointed to the Jordanian-South African Business Council which was established in 1998. And the mutual visits between the association and business delegations from South Africa in 2003 and 2013.

H.E Hamdi Al-Tabaa’a, expressed Jordan's efforts to find non-traditional markets for its exports, including African countries, and invite businessmen in South Africa to visit Jordan for a closer look at opportunities for joint cooperation. He also pointed for Jordan to be the main hub in the region, and to be investment and trade gate for neighbor countries, Because of its strategic location and access to other markets such as Arab, American, Asian and European markets. He also referred to the free trade agreement signed by Jordan and the United States of America and how foreign investors can benefit from these agreements. He also invited the businessmen in South Africa to visit the Kingdom, and the Association's readiness to organize a business forum to explore investment opportunities between the two countries.

Ambassador John Davis expressed his country's interest in investment opportunities in the Middle East region, especially in Jordan, which enjoys an attracting investment climate within country’s security and stability. He added that South Africa has recently switched to the service-based economy and industries rather than the previous total dependence on minerals and gemstones.

The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the import of the Kingdom for South African products such as meat and fruit. He expressed his country's aspiration to raise the volume of trade exchange between the two countries and more investment opportunities. Davis reviewed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the fields of engineering, contracting, shipping, medical care, health and pharmaceutical industries.

The meeting was attended by H.E Mr. Thabet Al Taher, Mr. Abdul Halim Abdeen, Mr. Hussam Al-Din Al-Hudhid, Mr. Yousry Tahboub and Mr. Tariq Hijazi, Director General of the Association.

Mention that, the trade exchange between the two countries reached about US $ 80 million during the year 2015. The Jordanian exports to South Africa amounted to US $ 37.6 million, which was concentrated in fertilizers with a percentage of 76% of total exports. While the Jordanian imports from South Africa amounted to US $ 41.4, which was concentrated in meat and fruit, at 50% and 18%, respectively, of the total imports of Jordan.