On December 9, Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) and Jordanian Exporters and and Producers Association for Fruits and Vegetables (JEPA) launched the Business Export Coaching Project, which started with a group of 18 Jordanian exporters, whom will be supported for three to five years in producing value-added agriculture products and selling them in high-end markets around the globe.

During the kick-off days, JEPA launched its new strategy and the Ministry of Agriculture presented its plans to develop a market information system for farmers, producers and exporters. The focus of this kick-off is on developing the export capacity of the fresh fruits and vegetables sector.

On March 21, 2018, the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, JEPA and CBI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the Hague. The MOU was co-signed by the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade & Development Cooperation, H.E. Mrs. Sigrid Kaag, and the Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, H.E. Mr. Yaqub Al Qudah, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture. It serves as the framework for collaboration to further develop and increase Jordanian exports of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The program has already concluded a sector export marketing plan, resulting in creating multiple programmes to support the export of fruit and vegetables in Jordan, in which several companies participated in a short-term export coaching program leading to a long-term program, supporting 18-23 companies initially.

Building the capacity of JEPA, supporting the Ministry of Agriculture in Market System Information Unit, JEPA is organizing a Jordanian pavilion in FRUIT LOGISTICA 2019, which will be held from 6-8 February 2019 in Berlin.

Through different initiatives, the Netherlands is currently supporting the development of the horticulture sector, of which CBI is one. With this CBI project, the Netherlands aims to show its commitment to continue supporting the development of the horticulture sector.