Exhibition promotes Jordanian chemical, plastic, print and packaging industries

AMMAN — Chemicals and cosmetics is the second largest industrial sector in terms of exports, according to data from Jordan's chambers of industry.  

Jordan Chamber of Industry Director General Maher Mahruki said on Monday that chemical and cosmetic exports accounted for 18.4 per cent of the total industrial sales abroad in 2014 as it amounted to around JD922 million (almost $1.3 billion).

Mahruki was speaking at a press conference to launch the Fifth Jordanian International Chemical, Plastic, Print and Packaging Exhibition, in which around 80 Jordanian, Arab and foreign companies are participating.

He said the chamber was keen to participate in the event due to its importance in developing the industries of different sub-sectors in a way that meets consumers' needs in accordance with international safety and quality standards. 

"The industrial sector is among the most important economic sectors in the Kingdom, since it contributed about 90 per cent of the $7 billion worth of national exports in 2014," Mahruki added, noting that the sector employs 250,000 employees, most of whom are Jordanians. 

The chamber has recently established a technical support unit for small- and medium-sized enterprises, that offers free legal, technical, tax and customs consultations, the director general remarked.

"The unit regularly prepares marketing studies to diversify and increase the markets where Jordanian products can be sold," Mahruki said, indicating that 44 per cent of Jordanian exports go to only eight Arab countries.

The exhibition, running until Wednesday, "is a good opportunity for participants to develop cooperation and sign partnership agreements”, said Khaldoun Nuseir, director of the Afaq Group, the company organising the event.

Irbid Chamber of Industry President Hani Abu Hassan said the event will include meetings to discuss latest developments in the Arab industrial sector, establish new partnerships and develop bilateral relations with participating countries.

"Industrial development is among top pillars in the comprehensive economic development for its role in increasing the added value of the economy, securing self-sufficiency and reducing unemployment," Abu Hassan added. 

According to Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation Director General Hana Aridi, who deputised for Industry and Trade Minister Maha Ali in inaugurating the exhibition, such an event plays a significant role in promoting national products in light of an increasing international competitiveness.  

"There is an urgent need to follow policies that enhance the economic performance, especially that Jordan has free trade agreements with 80 per cent of the world countries," Aridi said, noting that Jordan is the only Arab country that has a free trade agreement with Singapore. 

The government contributes to helping the industrial sector overcome the challenges and obstacles it faces through endorsing regulatory laws, that are amended continuously to improve the local investment environment, she added.

Several industrialists view Jordan as a safe environment with  right laws that can attract investments and further boost the economic performance.

Khalid Abu Almakarim, a representative of the Egyptian council for chemical and fertiliser industries, described the exhibition as a good opportunity to increase the investment volume between Jordan and Egypt.

"There are 1,287 Jordanian companies working in Egypt with an investment volume of around $500 million," Abu Almakarim said, indicating that the investment volume of Egyptian companies working in the Kingdom stands at $307 million.

The trade exchange volume between Jordan and Egypt is approximate to $1 billion, $900 million of which are Egyptian exports to the Kingdom, he pointed out.

The industrialist also announced that the Egyptian Institute for Plastic will present 10 free scholarships to employees of Jordanian plastic companies to benefit from its educational and training services.