Yanal Al-Barmawi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply, stated that Jordanian national exports maintained solid growth during the first half of the current year despite regional and global challenges and intense competition in foreign markets.
اضافة اعلان
He told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that this growth reflects government measures to boost export capacity, support programs for the industrial sector, the quality of Jordanian products, and effective economic partnerships both regionally and internationally, which have resulted in several significant free trade agreements at bilateral and multilateral levels.
Al-Barmawi highlighted that the efforts of King Abdullah II and his strong relations with world leaders created a favorable environment for Jordan to expand its economic partnerships, particularly in boosting national exports, which have increased significantly in recent years.
He emphasized the importance of the King’s visits to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and previous visits to other countries, noting that these trips open new marketing opportunities for Jordanian products and bring additional economic benefits.
According to the ministry, national exports of local products rose by 9% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, reaching JD 4.379 billion, while re-exported goods increased by 1.2% to JD 431 million, bringing total exports to JD 4.81 billion.
Al-Barmawi noted that the increase in national exports enhances the added value of the economy, creates employment opportunities, stimulates business activity and various sectors, and contributes to achieving the targets of the Economic Modernization Vision.
The main contributors to the growth included clothing and accessories (+8.2% to JD 831 million), chemical fertilizers (+10.2%), pharmaceutical preparations (+10%), crude potash (+4.7%), and other miscellaneous goods (+16.3%).
He also pointed out a rise in imports of jewelry, machinery, mechanical tools, electrical equipment, and grains, while crude oil and derivatives declined. The increase is attributed to higher domestic demand, greater local production requiring raw materials, and rising prices in origin countries.
Regarding Jordan’s trade partners, Al-Barmawi noted that the Greater Arab Free Trade Area countries accounted for a large share, with exports totaling JD 1.851 billion (+16.9%). Exports to Saudi Arabia rose by 19.3% to JD 612 million, to Syria by 404.8% to JD 106 million (from JD 21 million last year), and to Iraq by 15.5% to JD 431 million.
Exports to non-Arab Asian countries increased by 16% to JD 901 million, and to EU countries by 14% to JD 228 million, reflecting growing export capacity and market access for Jordanian products and greater benefit from the Jordan-EU Partnership Agreement.
Al-Barmawi expects national exports to continue rising in the second half of the year, thanks to efforts to enhance competitiveness, expand market presence, support programs such as the Industrial Support Fund, and initiatives like reactivating the Bab al-Hawa crossing between Syria and Turkey to allow Jordanian products, especially vegetables, to transit to European markets.
He emphasized that the ministry is committed to increasing national exports, addressing challenges, consulting regularly with industrialists, and continuing support programs to help the industrial sector access new markets and facilitate trade agreements.
(Petra)
