India eyes trade worth $bn with Jordan by 2025, says Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee has said trade and economic relations constitute the bedrock of India-Jordan bilateral relations and efforts will be made to reach the trade target of USD 5 billion from the current USD 2 billion by 2025.

Replying to written questions from the Jordan Times ahead of his visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel from October 10-15, President Mukherjee said, "Business-to-business (B2B) collaboration between the business communities of the two countries will be enhanced through the India-Jordan Business Forum, while bilateral trade volume has reached USD 2.3 billion in 2013-14. New Delhi invites major businesses from Amman to avail of immense opportunities that are available in India under the Government's 'Make in India' initiative."

Though the Joint Trade and Economic Committee meeting held in March has discussed in detail how to provide further impetus to economic relations between the two countries - especially in areas such as renewable energy, IT, transport, education, health and pharmaceuticals - several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in various fields will be signed between India and Jordan during President Mukherjee's visit there, which will further strengthen the institutional framework for cooperation in specific fields.

In reply to a question that a few years ago, the Joint Jordanian-Indian commercial volume was in Jordan's favour, he said India has managed to reverse that. "Trade is not a zero sum game. India is willing to bridge the trade deficit through mutual cooperation. It is true the trade volume has shifted in favour of India since 2013. But, India remains a major importer of rock phosphates, potash and finished fertilisers. We see Jordan as an important partner. Jordan's strategic location can help Indian companies target regional markets," he added.

Education and research are two other areas of common interest, said President Mukherjee, whose delegation comprises heads of leading Indian universities and institutions, who will be signing MoUs for cooperation and collaboration with their Jordanian counterparts.

This is the first time that an Indian President is visiting Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

President Mukherjee's delegation constitutes a minister, Members of Parliament representing major political parties; an academic delegation, which includes heads of leading institutions of higher education and senior officials.