Jordanian industrial products need ‘boost’ in US market, says AmCham-Jordan president

AMMAN — Jordanian exports to the US accounted for 20 per cent of the Kingdom's total exports in 2022, American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan) President Samer Judeh said on Monday.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Judeh noted that the Jordan-US trade balance achieved a surplus of JD625 million favouring the Kingdom in 2022.

According to foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics, the volume of trade between Jordan and the US in 2022 stood at JD2.75 billion, with national exports increasing by 6.2 per cent to some JD1.685 billion compared with JD1.586 billion in 2021.

Imports from the US also increased by 7.3 per cent last year, exceeding JD1.060 billion compared with JD988 million in 2021, the figures indicated.

Jordan and the US signed an agreement in 2000 establishing a free trade zone to enhance economic cooperation, which went into force in 2001, covering goods and services, and intellectual property protection.

After 10 years, trade in industrial and agricultural products between the two countries was tax-free.

Jordanian industrial products are of "high quality" and are demanded in the US market, Judeh said. However, they need further support to boost their presence and spread on a larger scale, he added.

AmCham is mulling over an "untraditional" campaign to promote investment privileges in Jordan under the recently endorsed Investment Environment Law, Judeh noted.

Investors in the US are interested in the garment, fertiliser, potash, phosphate and chemicals industries, he indicated.

He said that the US is considered Jordan’s biggest trading partner, with economic ties dating back to the 1950s.