Jordan bans imports of 194 Syrian goods

Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Tariq Al-Hammouri, banned the import of some 194 Syrian goods on Wednesday, Addustour local newspaper has reported.

The move came in response to a recent decision by the Syrian government, under which it had blocked the entry of a number of Jordanian goods under the pretext of being “self-sufficient.”

The minister pointed out that the ban was based on “a decision issued on 12 December 2018 by the country’s Council of Ministers, under which the kingdom’s trade minister would take the necessary measures in regards to trading with Syria.”

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The list of banned imports comprised a variety of products, including a number of fizzy drinks, mineral water, animal and vegetable oils, poultry, meat and fish, coffee and tea, cucumber and tomatoes, and other types of vegetables and fruits.

The decision is planned to come into effect on 1 May, according to the ministry statement.

On Tuesday, Al-Hammouri said that his country’s economy was “progressing in the right track.” Citing official data, he pointed to Jordan’s “increasing exports and inward foreign direct investment, and developing the tourism sector.”