‘Gov’t keen on boosting industrial sectors in national, export markets’

AMMAN — Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Tareq Hammouri on Friday reiterated the government’s keenness to support the industrial sector in local and export markets, highlighting that a number of official bids have been suspended for not prioritising national industries despite their meeting quality requirements.

The government "applies a policy of reciprocity with countries that impose administrative or customs-related obstacles on Jordanian exports to their markets", Hammouri said.

The minister was speaking during a virtual meeting organised by the Jordan and Amman chambers of industry for industrial companies from the furniture and lumber sector, according to an Amman Chamber of Industry statement.

During the meeting, attended by President of the Jordan and Amman chambers of industry Fathi Jaghir and General Manager of the Amman Chamber of Industry Nael Husami, Hammouri stressed that the government continues to implement its programme established to support exports and offer tax incentives for the industry sector.

He also highlighted a Jordanian Enterprise Development Corporation programme that was launched to underpin SMEs manufacturing medical supplies, equipment and safety gear to combat the coronavirus, the statement said.

Talks went over a number of issues related to furniture and lumber industries, emphasising the need to list the sector among those most affected by COVID-19 to enable companies to benefit from the government support programmes issued under the defence orders.

Around 2,500 establishments are operating in the furniture and lumber industries across the Kingdom, employing approximately 10,000 workers with a registered capital of JD65 million, according to the statement.