ISIS harms Jordan’s commercial ties in region

The control of large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria by Islamic State (ISIS) has led to a substantial decline in Jordan’s national exports, an official has said.

Omar Abu-Wishah, the chairman of Jordan Exporters’ Association, said Iraq and Syria used to be the main destination for Jordan’s agricultural and industrial exports; however after ISIS fighters gained control of the border city of Ramadi, Jordanian exports to Iraq have stopped almost completely with the exception of some exports that pass through the sea.

In remarks to Quds Press, Abu-Wishah said that, “Jordanian exporters’ conditions are worsening by the day, especially after ISIS [gained control of] the city of Ramadi”. In his comments, Abu-Wishah pointed to the fact that small and medium-sized companies will suffer most due to the suspension of export operations.

“The Jordanian national economy is going through critical times,” he added.

He noted that commercial relations with Syria and Lebanon have also came to a halt after Syrian opposition groups seized control of the Nassib border crossing between Syria and Jordan last month.

Jordan exports vegetables, fruit, vegetable oil and medicines to Iraq, mainly through Ramadi city which is now controlled by ISIS.

Abu Wishah commented that the Jordanian export sector has lost around 50 per cent of foreign trade as a result of the unrest in neighbouring countries, noting that Jordanian trade links between Yemen and Libya have also been affected.