His Majesty King Abdullah II attended the opening session of the Jordan-United Kingdom Business Forum in London on Thursday, July 23, 2026. This significant event aims to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation across various commercial, industrial, and service sectors, fostering deeper economic ties between the two nations. Organizers stated the event specifically seeks to boost the volume of trade and establish long-term strategic commercial and industrial partnerships between Jordanian and British companies, laying the groundwork for sustained economic collaboration. The forum is designed to serve as a key platform for dialogue and deal-making, connecting key players from both economies.
Forum Participants and Goals
The forum has attracted substantial participation from the private sector, bringing together more than 40 Jordanian companies and 60 British companies. This diverse representation shows the mutual interest in strengthening bilateral economic relations. The primary objective of the event is to highlight Jordan’s investment opportunities and advantages to the attending businesses, showcasing the Kingdom's potential as a regional hub for trade and investment. Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the opening session, along with Jordan’s Ambassador to the UK Manar Dabbas. Their presence emphasized the high-level support for the forum's objectives. Representatives from both Jordanian and British companies were also present at the session, engaging directly in discussions designed to identify and pursue new ventures. The forum seeks to foster direct engagement between these companies, facilitating discussions on potential collaborations and ventures that can lead to tangible outcomes. Participants are actively exploring avenues for growth in trade and industrial partnerships, with a focus on creating mutually beneficial agreements. The gathering provides a key platform for showcasing Jordan's economic landscape and its appeal to international investors, offering insights into its strategic location and burgeoning sectors.
Jordan's Investment Landscape
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah addressed the opening session of the Jordan-United Kingdom Business Forum, providing a full overview of the Kingdom's economic environment. Qudah detailed Jordan's potential for foreign direct investment, emphasizing the strategic advantages it offers to international partners. He outlined the government's steadfast commitment to creating an attractive and stable investment climate, ensuring a supportive regulatory framework and a conducive business environment for international partners looking to expand into the region.
Cumulative investments in development and industrial zones within Jordan have reached an impressive 9.1 billion dollars, according to figures presented at the forum. This substantial sum reflects significant prior engagement in various sectors across the country, demonstrating a track record of successful investment. Discussions at the forum noted Jordan's ongoing efforts to enhance its economic infrastructure and attract further capital, positioning the country for continued growth and development. These efforts are part of a broader national strategy to diversify the economy and create new opportunities.
The forum specifically noted investment opportunities across several key sectors, identified as priority areas for economic development and international collaboration. These included infrastructure and transport, emphasizing the critical need for modernizing and expanding vital networks to support economic activity and regional connectivity. Sustainable energy was also a significant focus, showcasing Jordan's considerable potential in renewable power generation and its commitment to green initiatives. Further opportunities were presented in food processing, a sector vital for national and regional food security, as well as in fertilizers and chemicals, leveraging Jordan's natural resources. The mining sector was also identified as an area ripe for investment. Telecommunications and information technology were presented as additional areas with high growth potential, reflecting Jordan's strategic push for digital transformation and technological advancement across its economy. These areas collectively represent the spearhead of Jordan's economic growth strategy and its appeal for international partnerships.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry Fathi Jaghbir showed the pressing need to upgrade Jordan-UK economic relations to a full economic partnership. Jaghbir emphasized the significant potential for deeper collaboration between the two nations, extending far beyond current trade agreements to encompass broader industrial and technological cooperation. This full approach aims to unlock new opportunities and foster greater economic integration. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Michael Mainelli acknowledged the strong competitiveness of Jordanian industries, recognizing their capacity for innovation and growth. Mainelli stated, "the forum serves as an important platform for UK and Jordanian private sector representatives to pursue new trade collaborations and build partnerships that maximise the advantages of Jordan’s industrial sector." His remarks noted the forum's key role in creating direct opportunities for businesses from both countries to connect, negotiate, and forge lasting alliances, ultimately contributing to shared prosperity.
Official Statements and Commitments
Minister of Investment Tareq Abu Ghazaleh showcased Jordan’s strong economic indicators and favourable business environment at the event, providing data and insights into the country's stability and growth prospects. His presentation reinforced Jordan's appeal as a destination for foreign investment. Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Stephen Doughty affirmed that both governments are deeply committed to removing obstacles for private-sector companies, recognizing the importance of a streamlined and supportive business environment. Doughty stated, "the governments of both countries are committed to eliminating hurdles facing Jordanian and British private-sector companies and organisations to enable them to build successful, multi-sector partnerships, emphasizing the importance of strengthening UK-Jordan cooperation." This commitment signals a clear intention from both sides to facilitate trade and investment, ensuring that the partnerships forged at the forum can flourish and contribute to the economic development of both the United Kingdom and Jordan.
