The MEA is delighted to be organising a multi-sector trade mission to Syria and Jordan from 15-21 May 2010. Highlevel roundtable meetings and networking receptions will be organised in both countries and the programme in Jordan will include a meeting with the Amman-based Iraq Business Council.

The impact of the global financial crisis on SYRIA has been relatively small, and an ongoing reform programme has initiated significant Public Private Partnership initiatives, streamlining of the tax system and new opportunities for investors. The mission will visit Damascus and Aleppo, which also has a vibrant business community. Among the contacts the missioners will meet will be the Chambers of Commerce as well as the recently formed Syrian British Business Council. UK exports to Syria in 2009 were worth £147 million, an increase of 59.1% on the figures for 2008.

JORDAN’s economy has also largely been sheltered from the worst of the global downturn, and the economy is becoming increasingly diversified. A national railway system and the port of Aqaba (with an associated Free Trade Zone) are under development. Jordan has also served as a key access point for Iraqi-bound trade and there is a significant community of Iraqi businessmen and investors in Amman. A roundtable meeting with the influential Amman -based Iraq Business Council will give members of the mission the opportunity to develop Iraqi business contacts and information on opportunities in Iraq, building on the highly successful Invest Iraq 2009 conference which the MEA organised on behalf of the Department for International Development in London in April last year. UK exports to Jordan for 2009 were worth £245 million, an increase of 16.8% on the previous year.

There will be a full business briefing for mission members prior to departure, and briefings on arrival by each British
diplomatic mission. This mission is being kindly sponsored by Europe Arab Bank.