Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Minister of Investment Kholoud Al-Saqqaf inaugurated the fourth Conference for French-Speaking Business Owners on Monday, in the Dead Sea area.

The conference, held under the theme "Jordan: The Land of Promising Opportunities for International Investors," aims to promote investment potential in the country and attract more foreign businesses.

Organized by the Jordan Businessmen Association (JBA), in cooperation with the French-speaking businessmen group, the conference brings together some 200 investors and economic experts in various fields, as well as several local, Arab, and international companies and institutions.

Sixteen nations, including Jordan, are taking part in the two-day conference, which will have 12 sessions with 60 experts and professionals presenting for the first time in a non-French-speaking nation. In addition to Jordan, the conference is attended by France, Belgium, Tunisia, Algeria, Canada, Romania, the Ivory Coast, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Croatia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Palestine, and Senegal.

In remarks during the opening ceremony, Al-Saqqaf said that the bilateral ties between Jordan and French-speaking nations (Francophone countries) are crucial for political and economic development as well as for free trade, culture, and education.

"We hope this conference will provide a venue for experience sharing and the introduction of investment prospects in Jordan, looking forward to a genuine ongoing collaboration that meets its objectives," she added.

The minister referred to the most significant economic reforms that the Jordanian government has undertaken to unleash potential opportunities, pursue comprehensive and sustainable growth, and enhance the quality of life for Jordanians, noting that the Ministry of Investment was established to serve as the primary source for investment in the Kingdom.

She also mentioned the adoption of the new Investment Environment law in accordance with the best international practices, as well as the planning of public-private partnership projects with the intention of luring and facilitating investments and integrating into regional and international markets.

"The Kingdom sought to create an action plan based on thorough planning and an ambitious vision for the future represented in the introduction of Economic Modernization Vision 2033, which focuses on a total modernization of political, economic, and administrative systems. This national road map has ambitious, attainable, and temporary standards for governments over the course of the next ten years, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II," she added.

One of the eight most crucial engines of the Vision, which strives to encourage both local and foreign investment and improve the business climate in Jordan, is the investment engine, she said. In order to make Jordan a viable and desirable investment destination, the Ministry of Investment is working on a number of programs.

Regarding collaboration between the public and private sectors, Al-Saqqaf stated that several bankable projects have been identified, including investment potentials in the water, transportation, digital economy, and educational sectors. Additionally, an integrated investment platform concerned with promoting investment in Jordan (Invest.Jo), in accordance with international best practices in this area, will soon be launched to promote Jordan’s competitive investment environment.

The minister went over the promising investment opportunities in every industry, including information technology, travel and medical tourism, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, health care services, the food industries, textiles and apparel manufacturing, agriculture and related agricultural labor, logistics, chemicals, and fertilizers.

She emphasized that Jordan is prepared for investment and that the Ministry of Investment, which represents the government, is able to offer all forms of assistance to complete the investment process, from promoting the investment opportunity to helping in the establishment of economic activity to overcoming any challenges that may arise in the post-operational stage.

JBA President Hamdi Tabbaa asserted that the conference's planning is a reflection of the Association's efforts to strengthen Jordanian-Francophone countries' trade, investment, and economic cooperation in a variety of fields.

"The conference is a significant step toward developing an action plan that improves the use of business and investment prospects present in numerous Francophone nations dispersed across the continents of the world," he continued, highlighting Jordan's location which offers a great opportunity to start and engage in collaborative projects as a global logistic hub for commerce.

President of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Thierry Baudet, referred to Jordan as a friend of the Francophone nations and expressed his hope that the conference would serve to expand ties, particularly considering that the Kingdom is a politically stable nation.

"In addition to unemployment, Jordan is currently dealing with a number of climate change-related issues, which have an impact on the country's limited water supplies. As a result, business owners and investors need to drive their investments toward the Kingdom and develop business, trade, entrepreneurs, and pioneers," he added.

Head of the French-speaking businessmen group, Jean Le Blacher, indicated that in addition to promoting the French language, the group works to boost economic prospects and develop financial and commercial exchanges within the Francophone region.

On its first day, the conference provides insight into several significant topics, the most crucial of which are investment potential in Jordan through Francophone nations, investment funds, and economic and trade linkages between Jordan, the Middle East, and Francophone countries.

It will also tackle prospects for investment opportunities in the energy and water sectors, mining sector, green technology, and French as the primary business language in the Francophone world, in addition to the role of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.