Amman, April 24 (Petra) – The Jordanian-Hungarian Joint Committee convened its fourth session in Amman on Thursday to explore avenues for expanding bilateral economic cooperation, with a particular focus on increasing trade volume and leveraging investment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah said the committee meeting reflects the mutual commitment of Jordan and Hungary to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, and other economic domains.

Qudah emphasized Jordan’s interest in advancing its economic relations with Hungary, particularly amid ongoing global political and economic challenges. He noted that the relatively short interval since the committee’s last session underscores the strength and continuity of bilateral ties at the political, governmental, and grassroots levels.

He called for translating these robust relations into concrete economic outcomes by enhancing trade figures, activating signed memoranda of understanding, and transitioning toward implementation across priority sectors, notably energy, mining, and environmental sustainability.

Qudah also stressed the importance of fostering private sector engagement and establishing dynamic linkages between Jordanian and Hungarian businesses, pointing to untapped opportunities across regional markets. He highlighted Jordan’s strategic geographic position, noting that foreign investment in Jordan requires collaborative efforts with capable institutional and private-sector partners an area where Hungary’s experience and capacities are highly valued.

In the realm of education, Qudah praised Hungary’s initiative to provide 400 scholarships annually to Jordanian students over the next three years, describing the program as a vital tool for cultural exchange and long-term bilateral engagement.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijj?rt? affirmed his country’s commitment to deepening economic relations with Jordan, calling for regular exchanges between business delegations and institutional stakeholders. He underlined the importance of maintaining economic cooperation that reflects the high level of political coordination between the two nations.

Szijj?rt? commended His Majesty King Abdullah II for his role in promoting regional stability, highlighting the significance of the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and Jordan’s efforts in promoting interfaith coexistence.

He also noted Jordan’s unwavering stance against extremism and its commitment to peace and conflict de-escalation, positioning the Kingdom as a key partner in advancing shared values.

The Hungarian minister proposed the establishment of a bilateral business forum before the end of the year and extended an invitation for a Jordanian business delegation to visit Hungary for direct talks with Hungarian companies.

Szijj?rt? reaffirmed Hungary’s strong support for the comprehensive strategic partnership between the European Union and Jordan, expressing confidence that such cooperation serves the mutual interests of both sides, despite occasional internal challenges within the EU that delay trade negotiations.

//Petra// AJ

24/04/2025 13:45:49