Jordanian Free Zones Corporation reveals bustling activities this year

AMMAN — The Jordanian Free Zones Corporation (JFZC) attracted 77 investment projects worth $500 million during 2014, its chairman announced Sunday.

Nasser Shraideh said the investors, whose businesses covered industrial and commercial activities, began preparing and setting up their ventures in 2014 and are scheduled to start production next year.

The industrial undertakings include manufacturing and assembling specialised cars, food and chemical factories, and packaging plants, Shraideh indicated.

The commercial businesses focus on auto showrooms and logistic services, he added, noting that those projects will provide around 1,500 job opportunities.

According to the chairman, most of the investors will be exporting their output primarily to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen and Oman.

To a lesser extent, exports will also reach Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and some European countries. 

Shraideh ranked Iraqi investors atop as they accounted for almost half of the overall investments this year.

He pointed out that the Iraqis set up eight industries valued at about $160 million, and ten commercial businesses at nearly $100 million.

Joint investments by Iraqi, Syrian and Jordanian investors came at $70 million and ranked second, Shraideh remarked.

He mentioned several improvements that were implemented by the JFZC, especially a solar energy project and infrastructure works such as roads, power stations and poles as well as water tanks and networks.

He highlighted the installation of 58 solar cells to provide the zone with lighting needs, noting this project is aimed at reducing electricity consumption and relying on renewable energy sources.