AMMAN — The British Ambassador to Amman, Philip Hall, affirmed that Jordanian-British relations are distinguished by a close and enduring partnership spanning security, education, business, trade, and foreign policy. He noted that this partnership is poised for further strengthening in the coming period.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking on the occasion of King Charles III's birthday celebrations, the Ambassador stated that Jordan and the United Kingdom are exceptionally close partners whose joint efforts serve mutual interests. He expressed his anticipation of deepening cooperation in defense and education, while maintaining close coordination on foreign policy issues.
Ambassador Hall added that the trade sector presents the greatest opportunity for growth, urging businesses in both nations to engage in more joint ventures. He described the bilateral partnership as "excellent," emphasizing that the depth of historical ties remains consistently present.
Economic and Trade Cooperation
Regarding economic and investment cooperation, the Ambassador explained that the annual bilateral trade volume in goods and services exceeds 1 billion JOD (approximately £1 billion), expressing his hope to increase this figure.
He highlighted key milestones in commercial cooperation:
Industrial Exports: Jordanian companies have successfully penetrated the British market, highlighted by the Arab Potash Company and the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company exporting their first shipments of potash and phosphate to a fertilizer manufacturer in the UK.
Food Products: Jordanian food products are seeing increased distribution across the British market.
SMEs and Services: The UK is working alongside Jordanian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to boost their export capacities. Jordan has also excelled in exporting services, notably through the Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Limited (JORAMCO), which services an increasing number of European and British aircraft, ranking as the eighth largest aircraft maintenance corporation globally.
Global Accounting Hub: Three of the world's largest accounting firms—Deloitte, PwC, and EY—are expanding their operations in Jordan due to the abundance of local talent and skills.
Tech and FinTech: Recognizing the UK as a leading tech hub in Europe, Hall emphasized strengthening ties between tech and FinTech entrepreneurs in both countries, recalling the "Tech Connect" event hosted by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II in London last year.
Infrastructure and Development Projects
Ambassador Hall noted that Jordan is pressing ahead with major projects in the railway and water sectors, alongside plans to establish a new city named "Amra City." These projects coincide with improved regional trade connectivity through Syria and expanding trade volumes with Iraq.
He highlighted that these developments align with the reopening of the northern route:
"I always think of Mafraq as a meeting point for trade routes and hubs," Hall stated, noting that this enhances the opportunities to transform the Jordanian economy and achieve a qualitative leap in development.
To support these priorities, the Ambassador expressed hope for British corporate participation in defense, railways, water, strategic minerals, and healthcare. This is backed by a financing program from UK Export Finance (UKEF) valued between £3 billion and £4 billion allocated to support Jordan’s strategic priorities. He also cited Hikma Pharmaceuticals as a prominent Jordanian success story, whose listing on the London Stock Exchange catalyzed its growth into one of Jordan's largest and most successful corporations.
Cultural and Educational Cooperation
The British Council leads cultural cooperation by organizing arts, music, and theater events, fostering collaboration between Jordanian and British talents. The Council supports innovation in digital arts, the creative economy, and electronic gaming, alongside promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in the cultural sector.
The Ambassador also praised the efforts of:
The UK Cultural Protection Fund: Supporting the preservation of Jordan's tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Turquoise Mountain Foundation: Founded by King Charles III, the foundation supports artisans in Jordan, Syria, and Palestine, helping them develop their skills and access international markets.
The Council for British Research in the Levant (CBRL): Operating through the Amman Institute in Jabal Al-Lweibdeh.
Education Initiatives
In the education sector, the British Council, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, is on track to train approximately 10,000 English language teachers in Jordanian public schools by next year. Additionally, it provides education to around 4,000 individuals annually, trains over 300 academics in Jordanian universities, and empowers more than 1,000 young men and women through leadership programs.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education is collaborating with Pearson to develop technical education through BTEC qualifications. British curricula from Cambridge, Pearson, and Oxford AQA have been widely adopted, while British universities collaborate with Jordanian counterparts on joint programs up to the PhD level within Jordan. The IELTS exam is now administered across 12 centers nationwide.
Refugee Support and Regional Role
The UK remains the third largest donor to UNRWA and continues to provide educational support to Syrian refugees and host communities to ensure children are not deprived of education. Under youth empowerment, the British Council and Jordanian civil society organizations run the "Youth Connect" program to enable youth to drive positive change.
On Jordan's regional role, the Ambassador reiterated Jordan's continuous support for the two-state solution, confirming both nations' commitment to a just and lasting peace. He commended Jordan's humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza by land and air, noting the critical importance of these efforts given the challenging conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
He stressed that the Jordanian and British armed forces cooperate closely, and that Jordan performs a vital role in maintaining internal stability and combating cross-border threats. He emphasized that Jordan's role in the region far exceeds its geographical and political size, noting that the UK is immensely proud of its partnership with the Kingdom.
Environmental Awareness and Sports
Ambassador Hall noted that the national day celebrations also honor the legacy of Sir David Attenborough for his global contributions to environmental awareness, adding that Jordan possesses beautiful nature that must be preserved.
Concluding on a celebratory note, the Ambassador expressed his delight at Jordan's historic first-time participation in the World Cup, adding: "Jordan is a wonderful country with generous, welcoming people, and its team truly reflects these values."
(Petra)
