São Paulo – The director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Roberto Azevêdo, visited Jordan in the last two days and complimented the country’s approach to tackling adversities such as instability in neighboring Syria and Iraq and the heavy refugee influx that ensues.
“This situation has put pressure on the economy, affecting levels of trade and investment,” a WTO press release this Thursday (3rd) quotes Azevêdo as saying. (03) “Confronted with these challenges the government is taking a very positive approach,” he went on.
The WTO chief recalled that last month, Jordan’s king Abdullah that the country is “aiming to turn this situation into a ‘development opportunity,’” creating jobs for Jordanians and refugees alike. Azevêdo also said Jordan has stayed the course of trade and economic reforms in the face of real adversity.
“The WTO can be a partner in this journey to help support growth, jobs and development,” he stated.
Like he did in Qatar early this week, the Brazilian-born diplomat called on Jordan to join WTO-sponsored agreements designed to spur growth, including the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the newly-expanded version of the Information Technologies Agreement. Both are intended to liberalize international trade.
He also mentioned that the Environmental Goods Agreement, currently under negotiation, “could help with plans to diversify the energy sector, and boost clean energy in the country.”
Azevêdo met with Jordan’s Industry, Trade and Supply minister Maha Ali, Finance minister Omar Malhas, private sector executives and other government officials.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
