Jordan and Iraq on Thursday signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) in the social affairs and vocational training fields.

The agreements were signed by Minister of Labour Yousef Al Shamali, Minister of Social Development Ayman Mufleh and Iraqi Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Adel Rikabi, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Shamali said that the vocational training memo comes within the framework of further enhancing the "close" Jordanian-Iraqi cooperation.

Shamali stressed that the MoU also aims to raise the level of the vocational training sector and align its outcomes with the labour market's needs in both countries by developing training curricula and raising trainers’ efficiency.

Regarding the MoU concerning social affairs, Mufleh said it covers cooperation areas and expertise exchange in the fields of social affairs, laws and legislation, and launching policies and strategies that govern action on care and rehabilitation of people with disabilities.

Rikabi said that the two memos aim to enhance cooperation between Jordan and Iraq and exchange expertise to serve joint interests.

On the MoU regarding vocational training, the Iraqi minister said that it covers cooperation in designing and developing vocational training curricula and programmes, raising trainers’ efficiency, exchanging related expertise, and holding joint seminars on relevant issues.

As for the agreement on social affairs, he noted that it aims to exchange expertise and technical consultation in handicrafts, in addition to programmes for home-based businesses in both countries.

Under the memo, the two countries will cooperate in holding exhibitions to showcase "distinguished" household products , in addition to participating in women-related seminars, conferences and workshops held in both countries, Rikabi added.