Economic experts have affirmed that the increase in the ratio of Jordanian exports covering imports to 51% during the first seven months of this year reflects a positive qualitative improvement in the national economy’s performance. It also indicates the strong competitiveness of Jordanian products and their ability to expand in global markets.
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Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), the experts noted that this indicator strengthens the trade balance and reduces pressure on foreign currency reserves. They explained that the improvement in the coverage ratio is linked to government efforts to open new markets, develop domestic products, encourage investment, and rationalize non-essential imports.
They emphasized that sustaining this positive trend requires product diversification, enhancing value-added content, and supporting long-term trade partnerships with foreign markets, particularly traditional and emerging markets such as India, Syria, and European Union countries.
According to the Department of Statistics, the overall export coverage ratio of imports reached 51% during the first seven months of 2025, compared to 50% during the same period in 2024, marking the highest coverage level achieved by the Jordanian economy. The coverage ratio for July alone reached 55%, up from 50% in July 2024, a five-percentage-point increase.
Dr. Mohammad Abu Hammour, former Minister of Finance and economic expert, noted that this ratio reflects the ability of export revenues to finance imports, positively impacting the trade balance and indicating the country’s production and export capacity, as well as its ability to provide an investment-friendly environment.
He added that this development underscores the competitiveness of Jordanian products in global markets and stressed that it must be capitalized on scientifically and systematically by analyzing the types of exported goods and the nature of foreign markets to strengthen these trends, while ensuring producers continuously improve their products to maintain and enhance consumer confidence.
Abu Hammour highlighted that Jordanian products currently reach about 144 countries worldwide, with around 1,400 different products, demonstrating their global competitiveness. He emphasized that sustaining and boosting exports requires closer cooperation between the public and private sectors, overcoming bureaucratic obstacles, reducing production costs—particularly energy, transport, and financing costs—and supporting promotional efforts and export incentive programs.
He also pointed to the importance of granting preferential treatment to investment opportunities and initiatives that enhance export capacity, especially those contributing to product diversification and opening new markets. Exports, he noted, are a key contributor to national economic growth and job creation.
Similarly, Dr. Khair Abu Sa’leik, former Minister of Public Sector Development and economic expert, stated that the rise in the export coverage ratio reflects improvements in internal factors related to the investment environment and the Jordanian economy’s ability to enhance export value, supported by relatively low inflation compared to competing markets.
He explained that although the increase is modest, it is a positive indicator of improved coverage of Jordan’s foreign trade, reflecting a relative improvement in the trade balance. The slight increase indicates enhanced competitiveness of Jordanian exports, either due to rising demand for Jordanian products abroad or a relative slowdown in import growth, thereby strengthening economic resilience.
Abu Sa’leik noted that continuing to improve the export-to-import ratio helps reduce pressures on foreign currency reserves. He added that the upward trend is expected to continue if government efforts persist in opening new export markets, developing local products, promoting investment in productive sectors, and rationalizing non-essential imports. He cautioned, however, that performance remains dependent on factors such as energy prices, foreign market demand, and geopolitical developments, though current indicators suggest slight increases that boost optimism about maintaining high coverage levels and investor confidence.
Economic researcher Dr. Ahmad Al-Majali said that the rise in the export coverage ratio represents a qualitative indicator of the strong performance of national exports and their ability to expand into new markets.
He added that almost half of Jordan’s import bill is now covered by export revenues, sending a positive signal about the economy’s ability to sustain improvements amid regional disruptions, and directly relieving pressures on the balance of payments while strengthening foreign reserves.
Al-Majali emphasized that the trend reflects improvements in the competitiveness of Jordanian products, particularly in fertilizers, phosphates, and pharmaceutical products, alongside the recovery of exports to traditional markets and the opening of new ones, including India, Syria, and EU countries.
Regarding future expectations, he noted that the upward trend is likely to continue, especially with the expansion of export markets, relative stability in imports, and government policies aimed at supporting domestic production, reducing costs, and enhancing competitiveness. He stressed, however, that sustaining this improvement requires diversifying products, increasing value-added content, and converting current gains into long-term trade partnerships, particularly with emerging markets such as Syria.
–(Petra)
