Jordan’s exports to GAFTA surpasses JD2.82 billion — DoS

AMMAN— The Value of national exports to the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) by the end of November of 2023 experienced a significant increase reaching JD2.82 billion compared with JD2.508 billion the previous year, according to foreign trade data released by the Department of Statistics (DoS). 

In 2023, Saudi Arabia dominated the Kingdom's exports to GAFTA countries, accounting for about JD911 million. DoS also highlighted a 0.6 per cent increase in exports associated with the North American Free Trade Agreement by November, driven by the larger export volumes to the Canadian market. 

DoS report also noted that the value of national exports to GAFTA countries increased during the first eight months of this year to JD 2.030 billion, compared with JD1.708 billion in the same period of 2022. 

DoS also reported a 7.7 per cent decline in Jordanian exports to the European Union during the same period, primarily attributed to decreased exports to The Netherlands. According to the European Union, Jordan is the EU’s 63rd biggest trade partner, representing 0.1 per cent of the EU’s total trade in goods with the world in 2022. 

Speaking with The Jordan Times on Sunday, President of the Aqaba Chamber of Commerce Nael Kabariti affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to growing exports and driving growth and prosperity, citing key agreements like the Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement, Jordanian-European partnerships, in addition to the Kingdom’s relations with countries in the GAFTA. 

Kabariti also said that “Jordan’s primary exports are potash and phosphates, chemical products, vegetables and various agriculture products”.