Digitization

A delegation from the Daraa Chamber of Industry and Commerce, during a visit to Irbid Governorate, today, discussed ways to enhance industrial and commercial cooperation, develop trade exchange, and encourage investment partnerships between the two sides, in the presence of official and economic events from both sides.
The Acting Governor of Irbid, Dr. Raed Al-Jaafrah, confirmed that the governorate pays great attention to strengthening economic cooperation with the Syrian side, as this has a positive impact on economic development and social stability in the northern regions of the Kingdom.
He pointed out the keenness of the official authorities in Irbid Governorate to support efforts aimed at facilitating commercial movement and coordination with various relevant institutions, in a way that contributes to removing obstacles facing investors and merchants and strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors.
For his part, Chairman of the Irbid Chamber of Industry, Hani Abu Hassan, stressed the importance of strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Jordan and Syria, pointing to the role of the private sector and the chambers of industry and commerce in building sustainable partnerships that serve the interests of the two countries.

He said that the relationship between Jordan and Syria is a deep-rooted historical relationship based on neighborhood, common interests, and the deep economic and social ties that bring the two peoples together.
He added that trade exchange between the two countries, despite the challenges it has faced over the past years, still maintains strategic importance, pointing out that the volume of trade exchange before 2011 exceeded 500 million dollars annually.
He indicated that trade exchange declined due to regional conditions to reach about $182 million in 2023, before it began to recover in recent years, noting that the volume of trade exchange amounted to about $448 million during the first 11 months of 2025, a noticeable increase compared to the same period in 2024, while Jordanian exports amounted to approximately $335 million.
Abu Hassan pointed out that Irbid Governorate includes a diverse industrial base, a promising investment environment, and qualified human resources, which makes it a suitable partner for cooperation with brothers in Syria, stressing the chamber’s readiness to harness its capabilities to support joint initiatives.
In turn, the head of the Daraa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nashat Al-Rifai, said that the Syrian economy has begun to gradually recover, stressing that the next stage requires rebuilding based on the legitimate economy and regional cooperation, most notably cooperation with Jordan.
He pointed out the importance of activating border crossings, as this has a direct impact on facilitating the flow of goods, stimulating commercial movement, and creating job opportunities on both sides of the border, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors in the two countries.
He highlighted the importance of the depth of bilateral trade with Jordan because it represents an important economic and commercial gateway and the ability to contribute to revitalizing the trade exchange movement and supporting productive sectors, especially in southern Syria.
Al-Rifai appreciated the Jordanian positions towards the Syrian people, on the humanitarian and economic levels, after it opened its doors to the Syrians in the most difficult circumstances.
For his part, the head of the Irbid Chamber of Commerce, Muhammad Al-Shouha, stressed the importance of the meeting in enhancing direct communication between economic activities in Irbid and Daraa, considering that such meetings constitute a real platform for discussing the challenges facing merchants and opening new horizons for joint cooperation.
He stressed the keenness of the Irbid Chamber of Commerce to support any initiatives that contribute to facilitating the movement of trade, and to encourage partnerships between merchants and businessmen on both sides, which will reflect positively on the national economy and contribute to enhancing economic stability in the region.
In turn, the head of the Ramtha Chamber of Commerce, Mukhles Al-Daya, said that the city of Ramtha, by virtue of its geographical location, constitutes an important commercial link between Jordan and Syria, indicating that revitalizing the trade movement with Daraa will reflect positively on the economy of the border areas, calling for facilitating customs procedures and intensifying coordination between the concerned authorities in the two countries.
The head of the Greater Irbid Municipal Committee, Imad Al-Azzam, in turn, affirmed the municipality’s support for efforts aimed at strengthening economic cooperation with the Syrian side, noting the importance of the role of municipalities in creating an investment and service environment that supports economic activity.
The Daraa Chamber of Industry signed memorandums of understanding and twinning with the Irbid Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the Ramtha Chamber of Commerce, aiming to enhance joint cooperation. The delegation also visited the Irbid Chamber of Commerce and was briefed on the services it provides to its members and the commercial sector, where it was confirmed that there are promising investment opportunities between the two brotherly countries.

(Petra)