Mr. El Zaben met with Israeli officials to discuss increasing traffic of Jordan's foreign trade through Israel, particularly trade with the US and Europe which moves via Haifa Port
Jordan Customs Department director general Meitab Al-Zaben was in Israel for a secret three day visit last week. The guest was accompanied by two senior customs officials.
Al-Zaben met the head of Israel Customs directorate Mr. Ami Segal and Mr. Shlomo Sharon, Chairman of the Israeli Federation of International freight Forwarders and Customs Clearing Agents (IFFCCA), to discuss increasing traffic of Jordan's foreign trade through Israel, particularly trade with the US and Europe which moves via Haifa Port.
Jordan, on the other hand, serves as a transit point for Israel commodities sold to other Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq and the Persian Gulf states, with which Israel has no diplomatic relations.
According to the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, Israel’s exports to Jordan in 2006 totaled $136.6 million, 17% more than in 2005. Imports totaled $38.3 million, down 37% compared with 2005.
Al-Zaben, a former Jordanian Army general, is understood to be close to the royal family.
His visit was not only in the capacity of head of the Jordanian Customs Authority but also on behalf of the World Customs Organization in which he is responsible for the Middle East portfolio.
Sharon said, “In addition to the lively trade with Jordan, IFFCCA helps handle Jordanian goods through Israel’s seaports and Ben Gurion Airport, especially to the US, because shipment through Israel is faster and cheaper for the Jordanians. In addition, Israeli freight forwarders, through offices in Jordan and at the Alenby border crossing and Jordan River bridges, have good commercial relations with Jordanian international freight forwarders and customs clearing agents.”
