JUSBP Helps Establish the Jordanian
Olive Products Exporters Association

With the assistance of the JUSBP, Jordanian olive product companies have come together to form the Jordanian Olive Products Exporters Association (JOPEA) which will create opportunities for Jordanians while supporting culture and economics.
AMMAN, October 7 2004 - With the assistance of the Jordan US Business Partnership (JUSBP), a project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Jordanian olive product companies have come together to form the Jordanian Olive Products Exporters Association (JOPEA).

The seven JOPEA founding members represent oil mills, bottlers and table olive producers.

JOPEA hopes, however, to gain a wider member base that covers all aspects of olive production — both in food and non-food products such as soaps and coal. The ability to export will be the only shared denominator and “must-have” criteria for current and future membership admission to JOPEA.

“While Jordanian olive production is considered to be relatively small (when compared to giant producers such as Spain or Tunisia), the growing of olive trees has always been of great importance to Jordan, both culturally and economically.

Most recently, however, olive oil processors have shifted into high gear and have begun producing exportable high quality olive products with in improved packaging,” said JOPEA board member, Obada Kayyali, general manager of chains, for table olives.

Kayyali continued: “Knowing that our production level is small and the agricultural area and water resources limited, Jordan needs to maximize its return as much as it can. This means massive resources must be directed towards branding, quality awareness, and implementing the latest technological trends in all related aspects of the olive product sector.”

Nayef Stetieh, JUSBP vice president and director of business development, said: “In response to the needs of our client companies and BSOs, JUSBP offers a broad range of services and financial assistance geared towards helping Jordanian small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) develop, and advance. The olive oil sector provides employment opportunities for many Jordanians and will, therefore, be given the necessary prepping and support to boost its competitiveness.”

In addition to helping to organize the industry in Jordan, one of the sector's biggest challenges is access to international markets. “JUSBP has already begun to assist several olive sector companies market their products in the US. JUSBP's cooperation with a leading US marketing company has already led to exports of olive oil to the US. JUSBP will continue to help olive oil companies identify opportunities to ratchet up their export sales,” said Raed Haddadin, JUSBP project manager for the food and olive oil sector.

Contact at JUSBP
Mr. Nayef Stetieh
Vice President
Tel:  962-6-566-9134
Fax: 962-6-568-4266
Email: nstetieh@jusbp.org
P.O. Box 941865
Amman-11194
Jordan





 

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