Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yarub Al-Qudah, stated that the Jordanian-British Business Forum scheduled for Thursday aims to elevate trade and investment relations between the two countries to the level of an economic partnership reflecting their robust political and diplomatic ties, noting that the current volume of trade exchange remains below potential.
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In an interview broadcast by Al Arabiya Business, Al-Qudah added that Jordan and the UK celebrated last month more than 100 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring the depth of their partnership. However, he noted that commercial relations "have not yet reached the hoped-for level," despite the significant opportunities available to both economies.
He explained that Jordanian exports to the United Kingdom stand at approximately $75 million, compared to British exports to Jordan of nearly $300 million, describing these figures as modest given the scope of available opportunities.
He added that the forum focuses on building direct partnerships between businesspeople and companies in both countries, contributing to increased trade exchange, attracting new British investments to Jordan, and leveraging the Kingdom's strategic location alongside its network of free trade agreements.
Agreement with the U.S. Grants Jordan a Competitive Edge
Al-Qudah revealed that he recently returned from the United States after signing a reciprocal trade agreement following negotiations that began last April, triggered by additional tariffs imposed by Washington.
He explained that the agreement grants Jordan a preferential advantage, capping additional tariffs at 10% on top of the zero-tariff rate stipulated under the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. Meanwhile, tariffs will remain at zero for certain key sectors, granting Jordanian exports greater competitiveness in the U.S. market.
He emphasized that such agreements not only boost trade but also help attract high-value investments targeting global markets through Jordan.
Jordanian Economy Has Proven Resilient Despite Challenges
Al-Qudah stressed that while the region is accustomed to facing challenges, these obstacles simultaneously create new opportunities, noting that the Jordanian economy has demonstrated its ability to adapt to regional conditions.
He detailed that the Jordanian economy grew by 3% in 2025 compared to 2024, while Jordanian exports rose by nearly 10%. Furthermore, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by 25%, surpassing levels recorded in 2017 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional crises.
He added that the government is currently focusing on two main pillars: first, launching major strategic projects valued at approximately $8 billion during the current and coming year to support economic growth; and second, diversifying Jordanian exports in terms of both products and markets.
He noted that industrial investors in Jordan enjoy duty-free access to markets of nearly 1.5 billion consumers through free trade agreements with the United Kingdom, the European Union, Arab nations, the United States, and Canada.
Growth in Trade Exchange with Gulf States
Regarding economic relations with the Gulf states, Al-Qudah stated that Jordanian exports increased by over 7% during the first four months of the current year, while economic growth reached approximately 2.9%.
He added that trade exchange between Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries recorded notable growth during the first five months of the year despite regional challenges, reflecting the resilience of economic ties and a shared commitment to maximizing available opportunities.
He highlighted intensive coordination with Saudi officials—led by the Ministers of Industry and Commerce—to enhance industrial cooperation and tap into joint investment opportunities, supporting the growth of economic relations between the two countries.
