jordan pulse -

President of the Irbid Chamber of Commerce, Mohammad Al-Shouha, held talks on Tuesday with Ian Montfort, Regional Market Systems Development Advisor at Mercy Corps, on mechanisms to support investments targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in trade with Syria, and the key challenges currently affecting the sector.

Al-Shouha outlined the longstanding economic and investment ties between Jordan and Syria, emphasizing the deep-rooted commercial relations that have connected the two countries for decades.

He noted that Jordan has hosted numerous Syrian entrepreneurs since the onset of the Syrian crisis, who have benefited from government incentives and a stable investment climate, enabling them to sustain and expand their business operations.

He underscored the importance of reviving bilateral trade amid improving conditions, pointing out that Syria serves as a strategic transit corridor that significantly accelerates the movement of goods. He explained that while maritime shipping from Turkey takes approximately 21 days, overland transport via Syria can take as little as four days, offering traders a clear competitive edge.

Al-Shouha added that several meetings have been held with Syrian commercial counterparts to strengthen cooperation and activate twinning agreements between the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and its Syrian equivalents. These efforts aim to overcome obstacles faced by traders in both countries. He also referenced a recent meeting with customs clearance companies to identify major bottlenecks and propose practical solutions, given their essential role in facilitating trade under the umbrella of chambers of commerce.

Montfort, in turn, expressed Mercy Corps’ interest in assessing the technical and financial constraints faced by SMEs engaged in cross-border trade with Syria. He highlighted the importance of identifying growth opportunities for these enterprises and reaffirmed the chamber’s critical role in addressing traders’ needs and reducing barriers to business activity.

Mercy Corps is a leading international non-profit organization operating in over 40 countries, focusing on economic development, livelihood support, and humanitarian response. The organization places special emphasis on empowering SMEs as a key engine of economic growth and employment generation, particularly in countries undergoing recovery and reconstruction.

The meeting is part of broader efforts to enhance regional economic cooperation and new opportunities for investors, contributing to economic stability and growth across the region.

//Petra// WH