Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian construction companies have the opportunity to participate in postwar reconstruction of infrastructures in Iraq and Syria through Jordan as an entrance, an official has said.

Deputy Chair of the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Nafez Alayyan made the statement while meeting with the delegation of the Indonesian Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) on December 19, 2018.

Alayyan said the reconstruction of Iraq and Syria would be carried out in the near future as the conflicts is getting eased and the stability in the two countries is increasing, according to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Jordan received by ANTARA here on Sunday.

Therefore, Alayyan suggested Indonesian contractors to firstly invest and partner with businesses in Jordan. Therefore, once the reconstruction projects in Iraq and Syria begins, the Indonesian contractors can immediately work.

Regarding this opportunity, the Indonesian Ambassador to Jordan, Andy Rachmianto, who accompanied the Indonesian Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency at the meeting, confirmed that Indonesia had construction companies which are experienced in construction projects in several countries with satisfactory results.

The leader of the Indonesian Delegation, Juliari Batubara, stated that Indonesia and Jordan need to collaborate more closely to increase trade value which is still relatively low.

"Jordan can be an entry point for Indonesian products to the Middle East market, including the European Union and the United States because Indonesia has a free trade agreement with Jordan. Indonesia also can be used as a gateway for Jordanian products to enter the Southeast Asian region whose population reaches 700 million people," Juliari noted.

Alayyan aksed Indonesia and Jordan to encourage each other in increasing tourist visits, especially from Indonesia to Jordan, given Jordan`s economy is very dependent on the tourism sector due to limited natural resources.

Earlier, the delegation of the Indonesian Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency also visited the Jordanian Parliament or so-called "Nuwab Majlis".

The Indonesian delegation was received by Deputy Chairperson of the Nuwab Majlis, Dr. Nassar Al-Qaisi, as well as Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Commission and Chair of the Jordan-Indonesia Friendship Commission Yahya Al-Soud.

During the meeting, the Indonesians consisting of Nurhayati Asegaf, Hasrul Azwar, Ono Surono, and Jerry Sambuaga stated that Indonesia considered Jordan as a strategic partner in the Middle East, especially because of its efforts to support Palestinian independence.

Alayyan stated that the government and people of Indonesia greatly appreciated the efforts and supports of the Jordanian government and parliament for the Palestinian independence.

The parliaments of the two countries also agreed to increase inter-agency cooperation in addressing issues of concern in the region, one of which, raising support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In addition to the Palestinian and regional issues, the parliaments of the two state also agreed to improve the image of Muslims and stop any campaign that associate Islam with terrorism.

Reporting Azizah Fitriyanti
Editing by Libertina, Bustanuddin

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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