JABA announces AJEX 2004

'AJEX 2004 is a significant event for Jordan', stated Azzam Shweihat, the Chairman of JABA, the organizer of the event. 'AJEX 2003 held in October last year attracted more than 400 delegates, 62 exhibitors, and more than 20 influential speakers from the U.S. government and private sector to explore enhanced trade ties.'

JABA intends that this year, AJEX will be a catalyst for developing increased trade and investment between Jordanian, U.S. and international companies through partnership opportunities. AJEX 2004 aims to adopt a sector-focused approach, concentrating mainly on engineering and construction, manufacturing, IT, services, and tourism sectors; where Jordanian companies can benefit most from U.S. trade and investment.

'Rather than discuss general trade issues, we want to be result oriented and to focus on the details that will bring the partners together from the U.S. and from Jordan to learn about each other's industry and reap maximum benefits; to find common areas of cooperation and produce tangible results. We believe we are able to do this in partnership with Jordanian associations and our partners in the TJIARA coalition'.

JABA sees serious interest from the U.S. private sector to develop business with Jordanian companies, and to attend AJEX 2004. This is a result of the commendable efforts under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian government that have the vision to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S., and to develop relationships between the Jordanian and U.S. private sectors.

Last July witnessed the signing of 'twin city' agreement signed between Chicago and Amman; and the formation of the U.S. - Jordanian business council a board of more than twenty leading U.S. companies interested in developing business relations with Jordan who will also participate in AJEX 2004. Also attending will be members of the Arab American business community as well as U.S. prime contractors and regional AmCham representatives.

As JABA's main annual event, AJEX 2004 will highlight partnership opportunities in sub-contracting, project development and investment, technology transfer and marketing collaboration under the slogan 'Partnering for Success in Regional and International Market Penetration'. As a non-for-profit member-based association, JABA's mandate is to promote trade and investment between Jordan and the U.S. through business development, public policy advocacy, and training.