Jordan urges allowing Arab businessmen to travel visa-free to Arab states

Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) President Hamdi Tabaa urged allowing Arab businessmen to travel visa-free for various Arab states to boost inter-Arab trade which does not exceed 10 percent of the total Arab trade with world countries.

In an interview with MENA on Saturday on the fringe of the Arab investment forum which wrapped up work on Thursday, Tabaa welcomed a twinship agreement signed between Aqaba and Sharm el Sheikh cities.

He noted that the Egypt-Jordan Business Council is one of the most active Arab business councils, adding that there is a political harmony between Egypt and Jordan vis-à-vis various Arab issues.

He added that the Egyptian Businessmen Association has invited Jordanian investors to visit Egypt soon to get acquainted with new projects being implemented by the Egyptian government, especially the Suez Canal development project that would offer a good investment opportunity for Jordanian businessmen.

Meanwhile, he urged all Arabs to contribute to the comprehensive housing project offered by the Palestinians during the forum to reinforce their position on their occupied lands.

Tabaa said the forum was "successful", adding that the Arab world needs to generate about 80 million jobs within the coming five years.

The Federation of Arab Businessmen – which organized the forum – has prepared a study on Arab investment and means of realizing Arab economic integration and will refer it to the Arab League and the coming Arab summit.

He called for a genuine partnership between the private and public sectors, considering the governmental economic administration in the Arab world as "unqualified" to manage businesses.

He said governments should realize that businessmen are partners and legislation should be written down from this perspective.