Tunisia, Jordan seek economic cooperation

Headed by both the Tunisian and Jordanian prime ministers, Hamid al-Qurawi and Abdul-Salam al-Majali respectively, the joint Tunisian-Jordanian High Commission on Cooperation met in the Tunisian capital yesterday.

Jordan's Majali also praised ties between Jordan and Tunisia and confirmed the need to further develop them in all aspects of mutual interest.

At the end of a two-day meeting of the joint committee the two delegations reaffirmed that a tax-free zone would be established to encourage trade exchange between the two countries. The committee recommended waiving taxation on both states' regional products within two years.

The increase of trade volume was also recommended by the committee. "The volume of trade between our countries is to be increased to reach $50 million by year 2000," the statement issued at the end of the meeting said.

Protocols of cooperation in areas of investment were also signed by officials from both countries.

Later Tunisian President Zein Abidin Bin Ali received Jordanian PM Abdul Salam al-Majali who handed the President a message from Jordan's King Hussein.

"The talks with theTunisian president dealt with regional and international issues of mutual concern," Majali told reporters. "His Majesty the King is to visit Tunisia next week," he said.