Jordan working to open new markets for exports

AMMAN — The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply is currently coordinating with the Jordan Chamber of Industry to open new markets for Jordanian exports, especially to Africa, after the decline of exports to traditional markets such as Iraq and Syria, Industry Minister Maha Ali said Thursday.

During a session on Jordanian exports, held within the Jordanian Expatriates Conference, Ali noted that Jordanian products have penetrated "big" international markets thanks to the bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements the Kingdom has signed. 

National exports have developed in terms of quantity and quality since 1950s, supported by the establishment of major companies to produce phosphate, potash, electric and chemical devices, and pharmaceuticals, highlighted the minister.

Industrial institutions have increased from 2,500 in 1959 to 17,633 institutions in 2014, Ali indicated, pointed out that workers in the industrial sector have also multiplied from 10,000 to 250,000 in the same period.

She said industrial exports witnessed a "big growth" during the 2000-2014 period, with a record of JD5 billion registered in 2014, compared to less than JD1 billion in 2000, adding that the industrial sector contributed to around 89 per cent of total local exports.

The participation of local industries in government tenders has been improved, where public institutions have been obliged to grant a 15 per cent price advantage to local products, Ali said, adding that there might be a special programme to raise the participation of small- and medium-sized enterprises in government tenders.

She also said that the Kingdom's economic reforms have led to providing a competitive investment environment and supporting the national economy pillars through providing regulatory legislation to the economic activity, such as the new Investment Law.