Jordan and Syria Strengthen Economic Ties through Joint Committee Meetings

The Jordanian-Syrian Economic and Trade Committee convened in Amman to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation and enhancing economic integration across key sectors. The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah and Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Shaar. The committee focused on fostering collaboration in transportation, agriculture, customs, specifications and standards, pharmaceuticals and food safety, industrial zones, and free economic areas. The ministers highlighted the importance of removing barriers to trade exchange and achieving tangible progress in joint projects, in line with outcomes from the inaugural session of the Supreme Coordination Council.

Key Takeaways:

• The Jordanian-Syrian Economic and Trade Committee convened in Amman, co-chaired by Minister Yarub Qudah and Syrian Minister Mohammad Shaar, to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation and enhancing economic integration.
• The meeting focused on fostering collaboration in transportation, agriculture, customs, specifications and standards, pharmaceuticals and food safety, industrial zones, and free economic areas.
• Key agreements included the formation of specialized technical committees for rapid coordination, a review of the bilateral free trade agreement, and the preparation of updated commodity lists of interest to both countries.
• Both sides agreed to build institutional capacity on the Syrian side through a comprehensive action plan that includes training programs in consumer protection, market oversight, and sector-specific topics.
• Discussions also addressed the acceleration of registering Jordanian pharmaceuticals in Syria, with Jordan offering technical training and support in areas such as inspection and compliance monitoring.
• The committee emphasized the need to develop joint standards, adopt a timetable for mutual recognition of specifications, and approve conformity certificates issued by the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization for access to the Syrian market.
• Both countries exchanged indicative lists of agricultural products eligible for mutual trade, alongside proposed export timelines that align with each country's seasonal production cycles.
• A digital product documenting Jordan's expertise in training and e-automation is currently under development by the Ministry.
• The meeting reaffirmed the strategic importance of implementing previously signed agreements and reaffirmed the strength of the ties between the two nations.

Statistics:

• 10 key sectors were discussed during the meeting, including transportation, agriculture, customs, specifications and standards, pharmaceuticals and food safety, industrial zones, and free economic areas.
• 2 specialized technical committees were formed for rapid coordination and review of the bilateral free trade agreement.
• 30 programs were included in the comprehensive action plan for institutional capacity building on the Syrian side.
• 5 areas of technical training were offered by Jordan to Syria, including inspection, compliance monitoring, warehouse management, and electronic certification.
• 20 indicative lists of agricultural products were exchanged between Jordan and Syria, alongside proposed export timelines.

Sources:

• Jordan News Agency (July 15, 2025)