Clothing sector pins hope on reopening of other sectors to stimulate commercial activity

AMMAN — The situation in the Kingdom’s apparel sector is “relatively calm”, said Jordan’s Textile and Readymade Clothes Syndicate President Muneer Deyeh on Monday.

“We hope that the situation would improve after the reopening of certain sectors in the coming period,” Deyeh told The Jordan Times over the phone.

He added that the current period, between the two eids, typically does not witness much shopping activity.

Furthermore, he noted that the return of social events and expatriates would also positively affect the sector.

“A cost surge is expected due to the ongoing ocean freight crisis,” according to Deyeh who added that freight cost surge will for sure raise retail prices of merchandise that will be shipped in July, August and September.

The prices of merchandise that is already in the Kingdom will remain stable, Deyeh highlighted.

“Freight rates have increased significantly, especially for shipments from Asian ports,” he said, noting that Jordan imports from China are worth about a quarter of imports entering the Kingdom annually.

Hala Abdullah, owner of a clothing store in Amman, told The Jordan Times that the current situation is “okay”, adding that she looks forward to seeing “better days”.