Jordan: Hybrid vehicle imports surge by 31% in H1 2025
Despite this increase, overall vehicle clearance activity from the Zarqa Free Zone to the domestic market declined by 9 per cent in the same period, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
A total of 30,782 vehicles were cleared this year until June, down from 33,954 vehicles in the first half of 2024, recoding a decrease of 3,172 vehicles.
Representative of the of the automobile sector at the JFZIC Jihad Abu Nasser attributed the drop to shifts in consumer demand and the impact of recent regulatory and tax measures, particularly those affecting electric vehicles.
He noted that several vehicle categories saw a downturn, including electric and diesel models.
Clearance of electric vehicles fell by 17 per cent, with 18,816 units processed compared with 22,604 in the same period last year, marking a decrease of 3,788 vehicles.
Diesel vehicle clearances dropped sharply by 31 per cent to 2,379 units, compared with 3,470 vehicles in the first half of 2024.
Gasoline vehicle clearances remained "relatively" stable, recording a "slight" increase of 3 per cent. The number of gasoline-powered cars cleared rose from 2,683 to 2,753, with an increase of 70 vehicles.
Re-export activity from the free zones posted strong growth, with vehicle exports increasing by 67 per cent.
A total of 39,641 vehicles were re-exported in the January-June of 2025, up from 23,796 in the same period of 2024, marking an increase of 15,846 vehicles.
Abu Nasser said that the robust re-export growth underscores the responsiveness of Jordan's free zones to regional market demands, particularly from Syria and Iraq.
He stressed that the decline in local market clearances, combined with changes in consumer preferences and new policies, highlights the need for regulatory clarity and a stable investment environment.
Abu Nasser added that the commission continues to monitor these developments 'closely' due to their significant impact on the vehicle sector and investment activity in the free zones, Petra reported.
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The National
2 days ago
- The National
Egyptian village remains tied to tradition of carpet weaving as industry frays
In the small village of Saqiyat Abu Sharah, in the Menoufia province of Egypt, the rhythmic clatter of looms once defined daily life. Known for its intricate handmade carpets, the village was a hub of artistry, its rugs coveted around the world. But today that work has slowed, replaced by the hum of machines and the whispers of an uncertain future. Atef Salah Abdel Razek, 42, owns one of the few remaining factories for handmade-carpet in Saqiyat Abu Sharah. The village, he recalls, was once synonymous with exquisite silk carpets. 'Ten or 15 years ago, every carpet produced here was made of pure silk,' Mr Abdel Razek says. 'Now, due to economic changes, particularly the currency devaluations, we've had to turn to alternative materials like cotton and synthetic blends.' Egypt, alongside Iran and Turkey, has long been a major player in the global handmade carpet market. But a series of economic upheavals, including the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, has profoundly altered the industry. Since 2016, when Egypt floated its currency as part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund, the pound has plummeted through five separate devaluations, the latest in 2024. The cost of raw materials has rocketed, pricing out many craftsmen and buyers. Pure silk, once the hallmark of carpets from Saqiyat Abu Sharah, is now a rare luxury, Mr Abdel Razek explains. 'A square metre of pure animal-fibre carpet today can cost up to 30,000 Egyptian pounds [$600],' he says. In contrast, synthetic alternatives cost as little as 180 pounds a metre. In 2010, a square metre of a high-quality handmade rug was sold for 2,000 Egyptian pounds. That was about $500 given the exchange rate at the time. 'The kind of customer we need is someone who values things in US dollars,' he says. 'For them, 5,000 Egyptian pounds is $100, so it doesn't feel as expensive.' 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'When I was growing up, there was a palpable sense of community,' he recalls. 'Workshops were everywhere and the craft was our main source of income.' But today rising costs and dwindling demand have driven many craftsmen out of the industry. 'In order to make money, you have to be taught as a child,' Mr Abdel Razek says. 'When you're young and dependent on your parents, you learn. Then, as an adult, you are proficient enough to earn.' But with the craft no longer considered a viable career, many young people in the village are turning to other jobs, moving to cities to work as security guards, cleaners and labourers. Mr Abdel Razek has cut his factory's operations in half because of a lack of skilled workers. For those who remain, it is not a lucrative job. 'Day workers' wages haven't increased nearly enough to offset their rising cost of living,' he admits. But the village's carpets remain highly regarded abroad, a testament to their quality and craftsmanship. 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Abu Dhabi's AD Ports Group establishes its first international office in China
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