Sharon: Jordanian businessmen willing to enter Israel are faced with mounting difficulties

Mr. Sharon warned that the fact that Jordanian businessmen were finding it difficult to obtain Israeli entry visas, was liable to affect bilateral trade
 
Shlomo Sharon, chairman of the Israeli Federation of Freight Forwarders and Customs Clearing Agents (IFFCCA), warned last week that the fact that Jordanian businessmen were finding it difficult to obtain Israeli entry visas, was liable to affect bilateral trade.
 
In a letter addressed to Mr. Ranan Dinor, director general of the Prime Minister office, Mr. Maymon, director general of the Ministry of industry trade & labor, Mr. Abramovich, director general of the Ministry of foreign affairs, and Israel-Jordan Chamber of Commerce chairman Erez Meltzer, Sharon said that bilateral trade has been rising steadily, and both sides recognize that this contributes to tighter commercial ties and, more importantly, creates jobs in both countries.
 
He noted that since the 1994 Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty, Israeli governments have viewed close ties with Jordan as an essential step towards improving the links between the two countries.
 
He added, however, that in recent months there has been an impression that, despite the government’s position, there has been a serious retreat in attitudes towards Jordanian businessmen seeking to enter Israel.
 
Sharon emphasized that the entry of these businessmen, especially those filling key logistical services to Jordanian companies, was essential for the building relations with Jordan’s logistics sector.