Amman, 30^th September 2018 (cp). In his dedicated speech on the occasion of the joint EU-ACI event celebrating “15^th Anniversary of EJABI” at Amman Chamber of Industry premises, H.E. Andrea Matteo Fontana, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Jordan, emphasized that support of the development of the private sector in Jordan has always been and will remain at the heart of the EU’s partnership with Jordan. The private sector is considered to be the engine for job creation and growth, which, ultimately, significantly contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic growth and Jordan’s long-term prosperity.

As for the Euro-Jordanian Advanced Business Institute “EJABI”, it still provides business services to the Jordanian SMEs and has continued to expand since its opening in 2004. Furthermore, EJABI, as initiated and jointly executed project between the EU and the ACI, remains a great example on how small businesses are at the forefront of support. Currently, the EU supports Jordan with a program, worth 55 million EUR. This program assists the government in improving the business environment in Jordan and attracting new investors. It also helps Jordan to meet its commitments under the Jordan Compact, agreed upon in 2016 – notably the creation of work opportunities for both Jordanian and Syrian refugees in disadvantaged regions. H.E. Fontana underlined: “We hope the program will be a stepping stone for companies to create more jobs, and to export more products to Europe, under our relaxed rules of origin regime. Building on local dynamism, our support will help companies to meet European standards and increase their trade competitiveness.”

In his concluding remarks, H.E. Ambassador Fontana expressed his happiness and pride of what has been achieved so far, considering it with gladness that the seed “EJABI” planted by the EU 15 years ago has continued to grow and to expand over the years until today, and will hopefully do so in the future too.

On the picture (from right to left): H.E. Senator Ziad Homsi (Chairman of the ACI, H.E. EU Ambassador Andrea Matteo Fontana, H.E. Faisal El-Fayez (President of the Jordanian Senate), Dr. Nael Al-Husami (CEO ACI)).