Amman, Jan. 13 (Petra) -- Preparatory meetings of the eighth session of the Jordanian–Lebanese Joint Higher Committee began Tuesday in Beirut, co-chaired by Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah and Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, the meetings will address a range of issues aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on economic relations, as well as formulating understandings and agreements across multiple sectors.

The eighth session of the Jordanian–Lebanese Joint Higher Committee is scheduled to convene in Beirut on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on the Jordanian side and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The committee is considered of particular importance as it convenes after a hiatus of several years.

Both sides are counting on the outcomes of the meetings to strengthen trade and economic relations and expand cooperation and coordination across sectors.

Qudah said Jordan–Lebanon relations receive strong attention from His Majesty King Abdullah II, stressing Jordan’s continued support for Lebanon at various levels, especially economic, security, and political, while underscoring the importance of Lebanon’s stability and independent national decision-making.

He described the bilateral relationship as a distinguished model of Arab coordination, noting alignment between the two leaderships on Arab, regional, and international issues, and a shared commitment to advancing economic relations in particular.

Despite the availability of qualified human capital in both countries, Qudah said trade exchange remains below potential and does not reflect business sector capacities. He noted that trade increased modestly by 7 percent from early last year through the end of October, reaching about $170 million.

He expressed hope that signed agreements would be effectively implemented and partnerships expanded in vital sectors such as transport, energy, and trade.

In energy, he said the lifting of the Caesar Act would allow progress on supplying Jordanian electricity to Lebanon via Syria.

In foreign trade, he added, Lebanon could benefit from Jordanian markets and the Kingdom’s transport sector to export goods to Gulf countries and Iraq.

Qudah also said Lebanese markets would find Jordanian agricultural and industrial products competitive in quality and price, with ease of transport, emphasizing the need to enhance trade flows and address obstacles to the movement of goods in both directions.

He outlined recent economic developments in Jordan and the targets of the Economic Modernization Vision, noting the launch of its second executive program.

For his part, Bisat expressed hope that the committee’s meetings would yield agreements to strengthen cooperation, increase bilateral trade, stimulate investment, and enhance collaboration in energy and other fields.

//Petra// NQ

13/01/2026 14:58:23