His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday said Jordan is eager to benefit from the Trade Preferential System the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) plans to implement as of 2009.

His Majesty made his remarks during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian King Mizan Zainal Abidin.

The two leaders discussed bilateral economic issues and the Middle East situation.

They encouraged private sectors in both countries to make use of the OIC agreement which aims at widening and increasing trade exchange between Islamic countries.

During its Dakar meeting earlier this year, the OIC set January 1 as the deadline to put in place a Trade Preferential System expected to be the “starting point to reach the 20 per cent ratio in trade” among the organisation's member countries.

This ratio has been set by the 10-Year Action Programme adopted by the 3rd extraordinary session of OIC in Mecca in 2005 “to promote and reinforce trade liberalisation within the OIC community”.

Meanwhile, Jordanian and Malaysian businessmen signed on Thursday agreements during the Jordan Business Forum, which was attended by representatives of finance and business sectors from both sides.

Commending the improving ties between the private sectors in the two Muslim countries, King Abdullah stressed the importance of a meeting scheduled later this year in Amman to further enhance partnership between businessmen from both sides, who are encouraged to enter into joint ventures.

Potential fields of joint investments include infrastructure, IT, natural resources, alternative sources of energy, the pharmaceutical industry and tourism.

King Abdullah also held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on issues of common interest.

As a key Islamic country, King Abdullah underlined the role Malaysia can play in garnering the Islamic world's support for the Palestinians as they are negotiating with the Israeli side for a settlement of the Middle East conflict.

In a communiqué issued following the talks, both sides condemned Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. They highlighted the significance of international support for the peace process and efforts to remove all obstacles facing the ongoing final status talks.

Jordan and Malaysia said they oppose using military force in Lebanon to settle political differences, urging rival parties to resort to dialogue and calling for electing a president as soon as possible to fill the political vacuum.

King Mizan held a lunch banquet in honour of King Abdullah and Her Majesty Queen Rania, attended by the official delegation and senior Malaysian officials.