Al-Bashir points out importance of religious tourism in Jordan

Al-Bashir stated that this sector has been growing significantly in Jordan and pointed out the importance of religious tourism to the country.
By: iStockAnalyst Thursday, July 17, 2008 3:53 PM
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews+articleid_2408779~title_'Brazil-Has-a-Story-of.html

According to anba: The good moment for the economies of Brazil and Jordan was one of the matters discussed yesterday (16) at a meeting between the minister of Foreign Relations of the Arab country, Salaheddine Al-Bashir, and members of the board at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, at the organisation's offices, in S?o Paulo. Yesterday, Al-Bashir concluded an official tour of Brazil for preparation of the official visit to the country of the king of Jordan, Abdullah II, in October. The minister praised the good performance of the economy of Brazil."Brazil has a story of success," said the Arab minister, mentioning the political and economic performance of the country as an example of the fight against inflation. "The success of Brazilian industry is a global reference," said the minister. Al-Bashir stated that Jordan and the Arab world as a whole admire Brazil and added that he knows of the Arab participation in the Brazilian economy and industry. At the meeting with Arab Brazilian Chamber directors, the minister also received further information about the size of the Brazilian economy. "Brazil is an international creditor. We are a country with strong agricultural talent. With the global food crisis, we may be the largest supplier in the sector," stated Arab Brazilian Chamber president Antonio Sarkis Jr. He told Al-Bashir that the country has the third largest aeronautics industry in the world and factories of over 15 carmakers. For this reason, Sarkis said he believes that Brazil and the Arab world are at an appropriate moment for investment and partnerships. Jordan, according to minister Al- Bashir, is also living a good phase. He said that the country is proud of its low levels of illiteracy and infant mortality, in comparison to the first world. "We have an economy of US$ 14 billion, six million inhabitants and per capita income of US$ 2,400," said the Foreign Minister. The foreign debt of the country, which was as high as 200% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the late 80s, is now at 35% of GDP.Al-Bashir stated that the stock markets of the country have grown and that levels of poverty and unemployment have dropped. The country has inflation, but, according to him, it is fuelled by the greater oil and food prices. "We are living a good to excellent situation in terms of transparency," stated the minister. Al-Bashir spoke about the trade agreements that the country has with Arab countries, the European Union and the United States. "Jordan is an economically open country and guarantees the rights of foreign investors," he finished off.Both Sarkis and Al-Bashir showed interest in greater bilateral investment between Brazil and Jordan. The Foreign Trade vice president at the Chamber, Salim Schahin, said that Brazil needs investment in infrastructure, in ports, for example, and that the Arabs have been seeking investment opportunities. He also recalled that Brazil has a strong energy sector, which may operate in the region.Other matters discussed at the meeting also included tourism, an area in which the Jordanians and Brazilians want to provide incentives to reciprocal visits. Al-Bashir stated that this sector has been growing significantly in Jordan and pointed out the importance of religious tourism to the country. "Jordan is proud of its Christian and Islamic heritage," he said. Schahin presented to the minister the Abraham Path Initiative, a tourist route that includes the sites crossed by Abraham in the Middle East. The objective is to show the common origin of monotheistic religions.
Originally published by Info-Prod Strategic Business Information.