Zarqa industry chamber's exports increase by 12% in February
In a press statement on Saturday, Hammoudeh noted that the total exports for the first two months of 2025 amounted to $223.5 million, compared to $228.9 million during the same period in 2024, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
He pointed out that exports to North American markets accounted for 46.7 per cent of total exports, amounting to $104.3 million in the first two months of 2025, showing a 3 per cent decrease compared to $107 million during the same period last year.
Exports to the US increased by 0.6 per cent to $101.2 million, compared to $100.6 million during the same period in 2024.
Hammoudeh also noted that the percentage of ZCI exports to Arab countries during the first two months of 2025 accounted for 40.3 per cent of total exports, with a value of $90.2 million, compared to $93.9 million during the same period last year.
He reported that Iraq ranked first among Arab countries importing from ZCI, despite a 6 per cent decline in exports to it, which totalled $31.6 million, compared to $33.6 million during the first two months of 2024.
Saudi Arabia ranked second, with exports to it increasing by 7 per cent, reaching $25.7 million, compared to $24.1 million, while Algeria recorded the highest percentage increase in exports, with a 72 per cent rise, reaching $14.3 million, compared to $8.3 million during the same period last year.
As for non-Arab Asia, exports to these markets during the first two months of 2025 amounted to nearly $12.4 million, making up 5.5 per cent of total exports, and showing a 43 per cent increase compared to $8.7 million last year.
Exports to EU countries declined by 34 per cent to $6.1 million, compared to $9.3 million during the same period in 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Jordan News
a day ago
- Jordan News
Jordanians Exempt as Syria Implements New Entry Fee Policy - Jordan News
A decision to revise entry and transit visa fees for Arab and foreign nationals entering Syria came into effect Sunday, as part of what the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described as a new security and economic entry policy. اضافة اعلان Under Decision No. 128, the fees are to be collected in U.S. dollars or their equivalent based on the official exchange rates set by the Central Bank of Syria. Any fractional amounts are rounded up, and the fees are paid directly at border crossings or Syrian airports. The decision classifies countries into 11 groups, with four countries fully exempt from all entry fees: Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Mauritania. Additionally, Serbian citizens are allowed to enter Syria free of charge. For other nationalities, the entry fee varies based on entry type (single or transit), length of stay (one, three, or six months), and number of entries. The highest visa fee was set for Iranian citizens, amounting to $400 for a single-entry visa valid for one month. The United States follows with a fee of $200, while citizens of most European countries are subject to a $75 fee. A standard $50 fee applies to any country not specifically listed in the groupings, for a single-entry visa valid for one month. The move comes amid increasing travel to Syria for tourism, investment, and family visits, and reflects the government's aim to regulate border entries and boost state revenue in the post-war recovery phase. Previously, the Syrian Ministry of Interior issued a separate decision grouping countries into ten categories based on bilateral relations and geopolitical importance, with special consideration given to Arab nations and countries with global influence. Key Groups and Entry Fee Details: Group 1 – Visa-Exempt Countries Citizens of these four countries are exempt from entry visas and may stay up to six months: Jordan Lebanon Mauritania Malaysia This exemption is part of Syria's effort to ease travel for citizens of neighboring or strategically aligned countries. Group 2 – Multiple-Entry Visa (3 Months) – $150 Applies to countries with strong bilateral ties with Syria: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey Despite political fluctuations, Turkey is considered an important economic partner. Group 3 – Single-Entry Visa (15 Days) – $40 or Transit (3 Days) – $25 Includes nations with moderate diplomatic ties to Syria, primarily from: Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba Asia: Nepal, Bangladesh Caribbean/Pacific: Samoa, Fiji Arab world: Yemen (only Arab state in this group) Group 4 – Single-Entry Visa (15 Days) – $75 or Transit – $25 Includes: Eastern Europe/Central Asia: Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Ukraine Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia Asia-Pacific: South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand Group 5 – Single-Entry Visa (15 Days) – $125 or Transit – $30 Includes a large number of Arab and European countries: Arab countries: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, Libya, Bahrain Western Europe: Spain, France, Germany, Italy The Syrian government says these adjustments reflect a balanced visa policy based on economic, geopolitical, and diplomatic considerations, while also targeting new revenue streams as Syria seeks to reengage with the region and the world.
Ammon
a day ago
- Ammon
Water Ministry, U.S. government sign $39 million agreements
Ammon News - The Ministry of Water and Irrigation on Sunday signed agreements for projects under the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Program, in partnership with the U.S. government, to benefit nearly four million residents in northern and central Jordan at a total value of $39 million. In a statement, Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud emphasized that efforts are focused on modernizing and upgrading water networks nationwide to reduce water losses, develop new networks, and improve the quality of services provided to citizens. He noted that these agreements mark the fourth phase of the NRW Reduction Program, funded by the U.S. government, building on years of productive cooperation to strengthen water management and boost operational efficiency at Yarmouk Water Company, which serves the governorates of Irbid, Jerash, Mafraq, and Ajloun. The $39 million agreement includes a $30 million grant from the U.S. government, with an additional $9 million contribution from the Water Authority. The projects will be implemented over four years, starting August 15 and running until December 14, 2029, benefiting more than 3.2 million residents and saving an estimated eight million cubic meters of water annually. The program will also build staff capacity, upgrade IT infrastructure, and enhance operating systems, followed by improvement plans to ensure long-term performance sustainability. A comprehensive field survey will be conducted in the four governorates, with tasks such as meter reading, billing, monitoring illegal use, providing leak detection vehicles and equipment, and forming dedicated maintenance teams. Additionally, Miyahuna Company signed a separate agreement under the U.S. grant to award a tender for rehabilitating three major pumping stations Mujib, Zarqa Ma'in, and Zara Ma'in to improve water supply efficiency for Amman and Zarqa. Valued at JD4 million, this project will enhance water services for more than one million citizens through advanced civil, mechanical, and electrical upgrades. The works will include building flood protection walls, rehabilitating Mujib Dam's main pumping line, installing high-efficiency pumps and automated valves, improving drainage, cleaning and upgrading internal systems, installing fully automated control systems, and connecting all three stations to the SCADA control center in Dabouq for better monitoring and rapid response. These upgrades will help minimize Zara Ma'in shutdowns during winter turbidity events, ensure continuous operation, increase annual supply by at least one million cubic meters, and reduce maintenance costs by 15 percent. This initiative is part of a series of NRW Reduction projects in their third phase, also funded by the U.S. government, including the Wadi Al-Seer Water Treatment Plant upgrade, awarded to Nasr Arshidat Company under Arabtech Jardaneh's supervision at a cost of JD 2.5 million. This upgrade will raise the plant's annual production capacity by 18 percent, equivalent to an extra one million cubic meters of water. During the signing ceremony, representatives from the U.S. Embassy reaffirmed the strength of the Jordan-U.S. partnership in tackling water challenges through sustainable, long-term development projects.
Jordan News
2 days ago
- Jordan News
Jordan Records Trade Surplus with 10 Arab Countries - Jordan News
Jordan Records Trade Surplus with 10 Arab Countries Jordan recorded a trade surplus with 10 countries within the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) during the first third of this year, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in Arab markets. اضافة اعلان This positive outcome reflects the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision and serves as an indicator of the growth and competitiveness of Jordanian exports in Arab markets, along with the expansion of the Kingdom's network of trade partners in the region. According to figures compiled by the Jordan News Agency (Petra), based on foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics, Jordanian national exports to GAFTA countries grew by 19.6% during the first third of this year, reaching a value of JD 1.117 billion, compared to JD 934 million during the same period last year. Meanwhile, Jordan's imports from GAFTA countries amounted to JD 1.822 billion in the first third of this year, up 15.7% from JD 1.575 billion in the same period of the previous year. Based on statistical data, GAFTA countries ranked first among Jordan's trade partners during the first third of the year, accounting for 40.6% of the total value of national exports. However, the trade balance between Jordan and GAFTA countries recorded a deficit of JD 705 million during the same period, compared to JD 641 million in the same period last year. The total trade volume between Jordan and GAFTA countries reached JD 2.94 billion in the first third of this year, compared to JD 2.5 billion in the same period last year. Jordan recorded a trade surplus with the following GAFTA countries during the first third of 2024: Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Palestine, Algeria, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, and Morocco. On the other hand, the Kingdom registered a trade deficit with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, and Sudan. Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share of Jordanian exports to GAFTA countries, reaching approximately JD 338 million, an increase of 23.4%, followed by Iraq with JD 273 million, up 17.7%. Exports to Syria witnessed a significant rise, reaching JD 72 million—a remarkable 453.8% increase. At the same time, Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries from which Jordan imports, with imports valued at JD 993 million. As a result, Jordan's trade deficit with Saudi Arabia alone amounted to around JD 655 million during the first third of this year. Jordan's exports to GAFTA countries primarily include fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products such as fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, salts, skincare products, processed foods, furniture, textiles, garments, and paints. Jordan's imports from GAFTA countries include crude oil and its derivatives, jewelry, food products, plastic sheets and panels, titanium oxide, polyethylene and polystyrene, iron and its products, among other goods. The Greater Arab Free Trade Area is an economic alliance among Arab countries aimed at enhancing economic integration and facilitating low-tariff trade. It officially came into effect in January 2005 and currently includes 18 member states. — (Petra)
