Markets in the countries of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area remained the leading destinations for Jordan’s national exports during the first eight months of the current year, with exports reaching JD2.7 billion.
According to an analysis by Al-Ghad, based on recently released foreign trade data from the Department of Statistics, these markets accounted for 41.7% of total national exports, which reached JD6.46 billion during the same period.
National exports increased by 6% during the first eight months of the current year compared with the same period last year, when they stood at approximately JD6.09 billion.
Exports to markets within the Greater Arab Free Trade Area grew by 8% compared with the corresponding period last year, when their value stood at approximately JD2.5 billion.
The Greater Arab Free Trade Area includes 18 Arab countries under the umbrella of the League of Arab States: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Sudan.
North American Free Trade Agreement markets ranked second after Arab markets, receiving exports worth JD1.3 billion, accounting for 25.6% of total national exports.
National exports to these markets declined by 11% compared with the first eight months of last year, when they amounted to approximately JD1.5 billion.
Non-Arab Asian markets ranked third among Jordan’s major trading partners and economic blocs, with exports worth JD1.4 billion, representing 21.6% of total national exports.
National exports to these markets rose by 15.8% during the first eight months of the current year compared with the same period last year, when they stood at approximately JD1.2 billion.
European Union markets ranked fourth, receiving national exports worth JD411 million, equivalent to 6.3% of total national exports.
Exports to European Union countries also increased by 11.4% during the same period, compared with approximately JD369 million during the first eight months of last year.
Meanwhile, other economic blocs accounted for about 7.4% of total national exports during the first eight months of the current year, with a value of JD482 million, according to official figures.
In terms of the composition of exported goods, garments and related accessories topped the list of major exports during the period, with a value of JD1.1 billion, followed by nitrogenous or chemical fertilizers, valued at JD780 million.
Pharmaceutical products and precious jewelry ranked next, with exports worth JD405 million each. Raw potash exports reached JD403 million, while raw phosphate exports stood at JD324 million. Exports of other goods totaled approximately JD2.9 billion.
Jordan’s industrial sector produces around 1,500 products, while approximately 1,400 products are exported to nearly 150 markets worldwide, according to figures from the Jordan Chamber of Industry.
Source: Al-Ghad
