Industries, hospitals top list of investments in Jordan

AMMAN — Industries and hospitals topped the list of sectors where investments landed last year.

According to a study prepared by the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC), JD407 million flowed to the industrial sector and JD271 million to hospitals.

"A total of JD1.15 billion was directed to projects that benefited from the Investment Law in 2014, compared to JD1.92 billion in 2013," the ACC report indicated. 

Other statistics showed that the Kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) went up by 6.6 per cent last year, reaching JD25.4 billion (JD23.8 billion in 2013). 

Consequently, GDP per capita in 2014 stood at JD3,810 (JD3,653 in 2013).

Foreign currency reserves at the Central Bank of Jordan in 2014 reached JD9.9 billion, 17.2 per cent higher than the JD8.51 billion registered in 2013,  the report said.

On trade, it added that national exports increased by 7.5 per cent reaching JD5.2 billion (JD4.81 billion) 

Imports rose by 3.1 per cent to JD16.15 billion (JD15.67 billion), taking the Kingdom's total trade bill to JD22.1 billion.

The Kingdom's internal and external debt  increased last year by 7.6 per cent to JD20.6 billion (JD19.1 billion).

The aggregate amount invested as capital of registered companies at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply reached JD196 million by the end of 2014, compared to JD338 million in 2013, the report showed, noting that these companies were spread over trade, services, construction, industry and agriculture sectors. 

Returned cheques during 2014 came at JD1.73 billion, JD997 million of which were returned for "insufficient funds", while the total value of returned cheques in 2013 stood at JD1.52 billion, according to the report.