Canada Day celebration in Amman highlights strong Jordan-Canada relations

Leaders of government, business, culture, diplomacy, education and development sectors attended the celebration, including Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission H.E. Dr Khalid Touqan; Culture Minister H.E.Mrs.Nancy Bakir; Education Minister H.E.Mr.Tayseer Nueimi; Chairman of the Board of Royal Jordanian H.E.Mr.Nasser Lozi ; Zain's CEO Dr. Ahmad Al Shatti; and internationally-celebrated architect Jafar Toukan.

The Canadian Ambassador to Jordan and Iraq Margaret Huber, who arrived in Amman last summer, welcomed the guests. She expressed appreciation for all the support to Canada being demonstrated in this Canada Day celebration, a gathering to "re-affirm our partnerships and shared values of tolerance, respect for diversity, and opportunities for all."

In her welcoming speech, Ambassador Huber also noted that following the meeting in Canada of His Majesty King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Stephen Harper last July, the already positive relations between Jordan and Canada are rapidly being strengthened in many areas. Increasing numbers of high level public and private sector visitors have been traveling to and from Jordan and Canada on initiatives including a Free Trade Agreement. The most recent was the visit of executives from the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and SNC Lavalin for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The reception, a major event in this year's active Jordanian Canadian Business Association calendar, enjoyed a lively atmosphere characterized by background music from Canada's top artists. Also much appreciated were raffle tickets for renowned Canadian singer Diana Krall who is giving a concert at the Amman Citadel on 8th July, and Amman-Montreal-Amman air tickets from Royal Jordanian. Photo blow-ups were displayed showing artists drawings and plans of the new Canadian Embassy offices that will be built in Amman, starting later this year.

This year's Canada Day celebration attracted numerous corporate sponsors. From Jordan, RJ was joined by the Arab Potash Company, Zain, Darkom Housing Loan Insurance Company, the Khoury Group, Bulos Zumot, Waves and Java U.

Canadian sponsors included Central Mortgage and Housing Canada and SNC Lavalin. This demonstrates the strength of cooperation between the two countries as well as the potential for growth in future years.

"The celebrations show JOCABA as increasingly serving a conduit to bring business and companies together between Jordan and from across the Atlantic, in Canada,"

JOCABA President Mazen Kawar emphasized.