38% Share of Asian Countries in Imports to Jordan - Jordan News
Non-Arab Asian countries accounted for the largest share of suppliers to Jordan last year, with imports valued at 7.276 billion dinars, according to the matrix of major trade partners and economic blocs issued by the Department of Statistics. اضافة اعلان An analysis by Al-Ghad of the latest foreign trade figures showed that imports from these countries represented 38% of Jordan's total imports, which amounted to 19.110 billion dinars. It is noteworthy that the total value of Jordan's imports increased by 4.5% last year, reaching 19.110 billion dinars compared to 18.288 billion in the same period of 2023. According to official figures from the Department of Statistics, the value of imports from non-Arab Asian countries decreased by 0.4% last year, amounting to 7.276 billion dinars, compared to 7.302 billion dinars in the same period of 2023. This included imports worth 660 million dinars from India. 5.078 Billion Dinars in Imports from Arab Countries In second place, the countries of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area were the second-largest suppliers to Jordan last year, with imports valued at 5.078 billion dinars, making up 27% of total imports. The value of imports from the Arab Free Trade Area increased by 48% last year, reaching 5.078 billion dinars, compared to 4.693 billion dinars in the same period of 2023, with imports of 2.912 billion dinars from Saudi Arabia. 2.816 Billion Dinars in Imports from the European Union The European Union countries ranked third, accounting for 15% of Jordan's total imports last year. Imports from the EU decreased by 0.5% last year, amounting to 2.816 billion dinars, compared to 2.874 billion dinars in the same period of 2023. This included imports worth 267 million dinars from France. 1.423 Billion Dinars in Imports from North American Countries In fourth place, countries under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) accounted for 7% of Jordan's total imports last year. According to official figures, imports from NAFTA countries increased by 11% last year, reaching 1.423 billion dinars, compared to 1.283 billion dinars in the same period of 2023, with imports of 1.331 billion dinars from the United States. Other Economic Blocs Other economic blocs accounted for 12% of Jordan's total imports, valued at 2.472 billion dinars, including 450 million dinars from Brazil. Top Imported Goods
As for the list of imported goods last year, crude oil and its derivatives and mineral oils ranked first with a value of 2.651 billion dinars, followed by vehicles and bicycles and their parts, worth 1.844 billion dinars. Other notable imports included machinery, tools, and their parts (1.346 billion dinars), precious jewelry and gems (1.111 billion dinars), electrical machinery and parts (962 million dinars), grains (675 million dinars), and other materials (10.521 billion dinars).
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Jordan News
5 days ago
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Farewell to the Chinese Ambassador and Prospects for Jordanian-Chinese Partnership - Jordan News
Before Ambassador Chen Chuandong finished his speech in the celebration hall in central Amman, his tears preceded his words, transforming the farewell stage into a humane space pulsating with intimacy. The man spent four and a half years in the Kingdom, during which he led a path of cooperation that took the form of a growing strategic partnership, and the Chinese and Arab civilizations embodied a model of understanding based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. The following article traces the most important milestones of this period, examining the significance of the farewell moment and the prospects it opens for the next decade. اضافة اعلان First: The Farewell Scene... When Emotion Speaks in Diplomatic Tones At the end of the ceremony, the ambassador's voice trembled as he recalled the names of the Jordanian places that had sheltered him, from the alleys of Jabal Luweibdeh to the balconies of Jerash, suspended in the memory of history. The scene seemed exceptional in a world where emotions are usually controlled by the rhythm of protocol. However, the man chose to express his gratitude with Eastern frankness, not devoid of the warmth of Beijing. Those tears, as one of the attendees commented, "were not shed on the airport asphalt, but on the soil of a second homeland that its owner loved until the last day of his mission." This emotional dimension does not detract from the professional nature of the outcome; it merely confirms that relations between peoples, when formulated sincerely, transcend the language of technical interests to touch the hearts of individuals. Second: Ten Years of Strategic Partnership... A Busy Achievements Calendar A full decade ago, in 2015, Amman and Beijing announced the elevation of their relations to a strategic partnership. Since then, and particularly during Ambassador Chen's tenure, three key themes have been crystallized: Economy and Trade: The volume of trade increased from $360 million in 2020 to $537 million in 2024, with an annual growth rate of nearly 21%. These figures may seem modest compared to larger markets, but they reflect a new structure in the trade basket, with fertilizers, solar panels, and textiles emerging as key components. Most importantly, Chinese companies now own the largest stake in the Arab Potash Company, increasing fertilizer production and contributing to Chinese food security, while providing revenues and job opportunities to the Jordanian treasury. Energy and Green Transformation: Chinese institutions have invested in wind farms in the Tafilah region and photovoltaic projects in several areas, helping Jordan double the contribution of renewable energy to its electricity mix. This cooperation aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to reduce emissions and ensure security of supply. Belt and Road Initiative: Signing a Memorandum of Understanding and opening the door to the establishment of logistics corridors linking Aqaba to Chinese Red Sea ports, in addition to projects to digitize ports and railways. This is how the Chinese philosophy is translated: seamless trade intersects with Jordan's ambition to become a regional hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. Third: Culture and Education... The Bridge That Politics Cannot Destroy The strength of relations between countries is not measured by trade balance indicators alone, but rather by the depth of cultural exchange and human interaction they reflect. The Jerash Festival has become a model for this cultural convergence, hosting Chinese troupes for successive years, presenting performances of traditional music and contemporary dance. 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Training programs: Last year alone, 600 Jordanians took short courses in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Suzhou, covering artificial intelligence, urban policy, and heritage management. They return with new ideas and personal friendships. Fourth: Political Harmony and Common Positions At the diplomatic level, observers can almost detect a remarkable harmony between Amman and Beijing on key issues. The Palestinian issue—which tops Jordan's foreign policy agenda—enjoys unwavering Chinese support for a two-state solution. The two countries translated this discourse by sending humanitarian aid to Gaza in late 2023, carried out by a joint airlift. Jordan, for its part, affirms at every forum its commitment to the "One China" principle as a pillar of international stability. Fifth: The Compass of Domestic Development... What Does Jordan Mean to Beijing? Chinese experts describe Jordan as a "laboratory of stability" in a turbulent region. The Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, has weathered the storms of the "Arab Spring" without institutional collapse and has gradually modernized its political system. From Beijing's perspective, this promising climate of sustainability is an ideal environment for long-term investments, free from the sovereign risks threatening mega-projects in some neighboring countries. The Chinese side also benefits from Jordan's geopolitical location; the Kingdom is a transit gateway to the markets of Iraq and Syria, and linking the port of Aqaba to the Belt and Road Initiative will provide China with an alternative artery to the Suez Canal in emergencies. Sixth: Challenges and Opportunities in the Next Five Years Diversifying Partnerships: Despite China's momentum, Jordan is keen not to limit its economic options to a single entity. The balance between East and West will remain the motto of the next phase, requiring Beijing to offer more competitive offers while respecting the unique characteristics of the Jordanian market. Deepening Local Manufacturing: The current model focuses on importing Chinese components and assembling them in Jordan. Jordanian decision-makers aspire to transfer deeper technologies, enabling the establishment of real industries that attract Jordanian engineers. Soft diplomacy and deepening success narratives: Jordanian citizens see the Chinese presence as an added value to their daily lives, not just numbers in the news. Here, cultural grant programs and popular media play a pivotal role. Seventh: Chen's Tears... A Farewell Message or a Promise of a Reunion? When the ambassador was asked after his speech about the reason for his tears, he responded with a brief statement: "I loved Jordan more than I expected." Between the lines lies the understanding that international relations are not built solely on agreements signed behind closed doors; rather, they are built on simple human rhythms: a friend who becomes familiar with a street, masters a new language, says "good morning" in the Ammani dialect, and the neighbors respond with "你好" at the door. This intimacy may seem like a marginal detail on the Foreign Ministry's agenda, but it is a spirit capable of moving the wheels of the economy, culture, and politics in directions that are difficult to measure with numbers. And then: Where do Where do we go from here? As Jordan and China mark the tenth anniversary of their strategic partnership, they close a chapter enriched by Ambassador Chen Chuandong's efforts and open a new one poised to tackle shared challenges—post-pandemic recovery, energy security, and climate change. 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