The representative of the food sector in the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, Raed Hamadeh, confirmed that the sector has begun to recover from the consequences of the Corona virus pandemic, in conjunction with the measures taken by the government to open the sectors and reach a safe summer.
Hamada indicated during a press interview today, Wednesday, that the rate of improvement in the sector’s work amounted to about 40 percent after reducing the ban hours and the plan to open the sectors approved by the government, which confirms the existence of a clear government vision regarding the economic situation.
He said that the Kingdom’s stock of food commodities is comfortable despite the global economic fluctuations and the consequent rise in freight wages and prices of raw materials, explaining that traders and importers have a good reserve of foodstuffs, which contributed to the stability of the prices of many commodities.
He pointed out that the strong competition between workers in the sector was also reflected in the levels of prices in the local market, despite their increase in global markets and countries of origin.
He demanded the abolition of taxes and customs duties on goods and foodstuffs without exception, and the strengthening of partnership between the public and private sectors to develop a clear strategy for the foodstuff sector to enhance the Kingdom’s stock of basic commodities and deal with any fluctuations in global markets.
He explained that the commercial and industrial sectors maintained the Kingdom’s stock of food and basic commodities, and worked to stabilize prices locally despite the global rise in shipping costs and wages globally, which calls for the development of a strategy for the food sector in Jordan in partnership between the public and private sectors to address obstacles and challenges and overcome volatility international markets.
He also called for pumping cash into the markets and providing loans on concessional terms for business owners to enable them to overcome the consequences and effects of the Corona pandemic, and revitalize the wheel of the commercial sector, as well as take advantage of the trade agreements signed by Jordan with various economic blocs to promote trade, facilitate the flow of goods to the local market, and reduce shipping and import costs.
He pointed out that the issuance of a defense order regarding setting ceilings for the costs of sea freight came at the right time to reduce the repercussions of high wages on the prices of goods in the local market, and that this would help merchants to import and enhance the Kingdom’s stock of goods.
Hamadeh called for facilitating trade between Jordan and Syria as it is an important source for importing a number of food commodities, especially legumes and grains of high quality and appropriate price, calling for food to be exempted from customs duties and taxes paid by it.
Jordan imports food worth nearly $4 billion annually, part of which is raw materials for industry and the rest is ready for consumption.
It is noteworthy that the food sector constitutes about 30% of the volume of the commercial sector, with more than 70,000 establishments across the Kingdom employing 250,000 workers.

(Petra)