National exports to GAFTA, NAFTA up by over 14% by end of September - DoS

AMMAN — National exports saw significant growth by the end of September, with key trade partners and economic blocs contributing to the overall increase, according to figures released by the Department of Statistics (DoS).

The report showed that exports to the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) grew by 14.4 per cent, reaching JD2.638 billion, up from JD2.305 billion during the same period last year, driven by increased exports to Saudi Arabia, which totalled JD851 million.

National exports to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) reached JD1.774 billion at the end of September, marking a 15.5 per cent increase from JD1.536 billion last year, driven mainly by a rise in exports to the US, which totalled JD1.712 billion.

Exports to the European Union increased by 0.6 per cent, rising to JD313 million from JD311 million last year, with Belgium contributing significantly, accounting for JD66 million of the total.

Trade with non-Arab Asian countries declined by 20.5 per cent, falling to JD1.241 billion from JD1.561 billion, primarily due to reduced exports to India, which totalled JD675 million.

Exports to other economic blocs dropped by 16.1 per cent, totalling JD447 million, down from JD533 million in the same period last year, primarily due to a decline in shipments to the free zone, which amounted to JD170 million.