Amman, Jordan – October 28, 2025 – In a significant step toward deepening bilateral ties, Türkiye and Jordan signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the inaugural Türkiye-Jordan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held here in the Jordanian capital. The agreement, inked in the presence of Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and his Jordanian counterpart, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub al-Qudah, signals a new era of collaboration across diverse sectors including trade, investments, infrastructure, contracting, agriculture, health, culture, tourism, and beyond.
The JEC meeting, which convened high-level delegations from both nations, represents a watershed moment in the two countries' economic relations. Speaking at the event, Minister Bolat emphasized that this first-ever joint commission lays the groundwork for sustained partnership. "This memorandum marks a pivotal shift, fostering mutual growth and innovation in key areas that will benefit our peoples for years to come," Bolat stated, as reported by Anadolu Agency. The signing ceremony, attended by business leaders, diplomats, and policymakers, underscored the shared commitment to a "win-win" approach in economic engagement.
During the bilateral discussions, representatives from Ankara and Amman agreed to spearhead new projects and programs tailored to high-priority domains. These initiatives are designed to address mutual challenges and capitalize on complementary strengths. For instance, in infrastructure and contracting, the two sides explored joint ventures to enhance connectivity projects, drawing on Türkiye's expertise in large-scale construction and Jordan's strategic position as a regional hub. Agriculture emerged as another focal point, with plans to exchange best practices in sustainable farming and water management—critical issues in the arid Middle East. Health cooperation, meanwhile, could involve collaborative research on public health systems, while cultural and tourism exchanges aim to promote heritage sites and boost visitor numbers between the two destinations.
Complementing the official proceedings, Turkish and Jordanian business communities, facilitated by Türkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), participated in a dedicated roundtable discussion. This forum allowed entrepreneurs to identify synergies and address barriers to market access. Looking ahead, officials announced that a broader business forum will convene in the near future, providing a platform for private sector leaders to forge direct partnerships. "Our businesspeople are the engines of this relationship," Bolat remarked, highlighting the role of DEIK in bridging gaps between SMEs and larger corporations.
Bolat further elaborated on the pipeline of forthcoming agreements, which are expected to materialize in the coming months. These include pacts on cooperation in free zones to streamline cross-border trade, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through capacity-building programs, and the establishment of organized industrial zones. Standardization efforts will harmonize regulations, easing compliance for exporters, while collaborations in education, health, scientific research, and agriculture promise to yield innovative outcomes. In education, for example, joint scholarships and exchange programs could enhance skills in STEM fields; in health, telemedicine initiatives might improve access in remote areas.
Underpinning these ambitions is the robust trajectory of bilateral trade. Between January and September 2025, Türkiye-Jordan commerce surged to nearly $1.5 billion, reflecting a dynamic expansion driven by diversified exports and imports. Türkiye's shipments to Jordan—dominated by machinery, vehicles, and iron-steel products—have grown steadily, while Jordan supplies chemicals, fertilizers, and apparel to Turkish markets. This volume, up significantly from previous years, exemplifies the "win-win" philosophy Bolat championed, where both economies leverage their respective advantages: Türkiye's industrial prowess and Jordan's logistical gateways to Arab markets.
The geopolitical context adds further layers to this partnership. Both nations, as regional stabilizers, expressed strong support for cooperating on the reconstruction of war-torn areas, including Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. Private sectors from Türkiye and Jordan stand ready to contribute expertise in rebuilding infrastructure, housing, and essential services. "Our companies have the technical know-how and the will to participate in these vital efforts, ensuring stability and prosperity for our neighbors," Bolat affirmed. This commitment aligns with broader international calls for coordinated aid, as seen in recent joint statements by foreign ministers from multiple countries, including Türkiye and Jordan, urging inclusive reconstruction in Syria.
A highlight of Bolat's address was the emphasis on a nascent historic transportation corridor linking Syria and Jordan. This ambitious route, envisioned as a linchpin in regional logistics, would facilitate seamless trade flows from Europe through Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan to the Gulf—and vice versa. By integrating rail, road, and port networks, the corridor could slash transit times and costs, positioning the bloc as a competitive alternative to existing maritime paths. Analysts project that full operationalization could add billions to combined GDP through increased exports of goods like Turkish textiles and Jordanian phosphates. This initiative also holds promise for energy security, potentially incorporating pipelines for natural gas and renewables, amid global shifts toward diversified supply chains.
The Amman meeting builds on a foundation of longstanding diplomatic rapport. Türkiye and Jordan, both members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and sharing Mediterranean cultural affinities, have intensified ties since the early 2020s. Previous engagements, such as the reactivation of the Jordanian-Turkish Business Council in March 2025 and extensive talks ahead of Syria-focused summits, paved the way for today's breakthroughs. Jordan's King Abdullah II has long advocated for economic diplomacy to counter regional volatility, while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye has prioritized "strategic depth" in Middle Eastern relations.
From a broader perspective, this MoU arrives at a opportune moment. Global supply chain disruptions and energy transitions demand resilient partnerships, and the Türkiye-Jordan axis offers a model for South-South cooperation. For Jordan, grappling with fiscal pressures and refugee inflows, Turkish investments could inject much-needed capital into sectors like tourism—where sites like Petra could pair with Cappadocia for themed circuits. For Türkiye, post-earthquake recovery efforts benefit from Jordan's stability and access to Levantine markets.
Stakeholders hailed the development as transformative. Hamdi Tabbaa, President of the Jordanian Businessmen Association, noted in a statement that "this commission will unlock untapped potential, creating jobs and fostering innovation." Similarly, DEIK representatives underscored the private sector's pivotal role, with over 200 Turkish firms already active in Jordan.
As the ink dries on this MoU, expectations run high for implementation. Follow-up mechanisms, including quarterly reviews under the JEC, will monitor progress and adapt to emerging opportunities. In an era of uncertainty, the Türkiye-Jordan pact stands as a beacon of pragmatic collaboration, promising not just economic gains but a more interconnected, prosperous region.
