Latest news with #AhmadKhudari
Jordan Times
13-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Manufacturers eye untapped export potential amid global headwinds
The industry sector comprises 18,000 establishments, produces 1,500 product lines valued at JD17 billion annually, with exports reaching 150 countries (JT file) AMMAN — Industrialists, confronting a 'complex' global trade landscape, are advocating for a "strategic" pivot towards untapped markets and enhanced domestic competitiveness to bolster export performance. The call comes as manufacturers grapple with rising costs and evolving international demand, seeking to leverage existing trade agreements and forge new alliances. Industry leaders, speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Sunday, emphasised the imperative for a comprehensive export strategy, one that aligns with Jordan's Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) and the National Export Strategy. This strategy, they argue, must encompass targeted market penetration, tailored to the nuances of distinct economic blocs, and the attraction of foreign direct investment to stimulate domestic production. Data from the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) reveals a diversified export profile, with chemical products and cosmetics leading at 23 per cent, followed by leather and textiles 22 per cent, engineering and electrical goods 18 per cent, and mining industries 13 per cent. The sector, comprises 18,000 establishments, produces 1,500 product lines valued at JD17 billion annually, with exports reaching 150 countries. However, export growth in 2024 remained modest at 1.4 per cent, totalling JD7.8 billion. Chairman of the Jordanian Exporters Association (JEA) Ahmad Khudari identified Latin America and Africa as 'key' markets for expansion. He urged that the reactivation of the Mercosur agreement and the pursuit of "preferential" trade arrangements to mitigate market saturation. Khudari also proposed exploring trade ties with Russia and advocating for a 10 per cent reduction in customs duties to maintain competitive pricing. President of the Zarqa Chamber of Industry (ZCI) Fares Hammoudeh underscored the need for a "holistic" export strategy, aligned with national economic objectives. He advocated for targeted support for manufacturers in "niche" sectors, particularly those with established brands in food, engineering, and chemicals. Hammoudeh also called for regulatory adjustments to facilitate the production of export-oriented goods and tax incentives to reduce production costs. Board member of the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) Majdi Hashlamoun stressed the importance of market research and targeted marketing campaigns to exploit export opportunities. He also proposed incentive programmes to reward manufacturers who successfully penetrate new markets. Fawaz Shakaa, representing the handicrafts sector, highlighted the need for import substitution to protect domestic industries, citing trade imbalances with neighbouring countries. Abdul Hakim Zaza, an industrialist, identified high production costs and limited market access as 'key' challenges. He advocated for cost reduction strategies, market diversification, and enhanced export readiness through e-commerce and logistics improvements. Zaza also cited International Trade Centre data indicating $6 billion in untapped export potential, particularly in India, the US and Saudi Arabia. A recent report by the Jordan Strategy Forum highlighted export opportunities in the Middle East, South Asia, North America, Europe and East Asia, particularly in fertilisers, chemicals, apparel and minerals. The report also identified "significant" import substitution potential in sectors such as food, apparel, packaging and plastics.
Jordan Times
12-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Jordanian companies to participate in Saudi Food Manufacturing 2025
AMMAN — Jordanian companies specialising in food manufacturing are scheduled to begin their participation in the Saudi Food Manufacturing 2025, set to kick off on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Jordan Exporters Association (JEA) is organising the Kingdom's participation in the exhibition for the second time, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The three-day event features over 550 international brands, as pavilions represent several countries, including France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Turkey, India, Switzerland, Spain, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Italy. JEA Chairman Ahmad Khudari said that the goal of Jordanian industries' presence in this event is to 'diversify and increase' national exports and learn about the latest developments, technologies and innovations in the food manufacturing industry. Khudari said that the participation comes within the framework of the JEA's efforts aimed at enabling national companies to promote their products and open "new" marketing horizons in foreign markets, especially amid international presence in this specialised event. He noted that this step represents an "important" opportunity for Jordanian companies to learn about developments in the sector, exchange expertise, explore opportunities for cooperation and partnerships and possibly conclude commercial deals that enhance their international presence. The JEA chairman noted that the Saudi market is "one of the most important markets" for Jordanian industrial exports, given the two kingdoms' "strong" relations at various levels and their geographical proximity. Jordanian industry has achieved "remarkable" development in recent years in terms of quality and "competitive" pricing, enabling it to reach over 150 global markets, he pointed out. He said that the growth of industrial exports plays a "pivotal" role in driving the national economy and achieving "desired" growth rates, as well as creating more job opportunities, attracting new investments in the industrial sector, and supporting the Kingdom's foreign currency reserves. Khudari called on Jordanian companies operating in the food industry to seize the opportunity to attend the event to promote their products, especially amid the "expected large" turnout of exhibitors, brand owners, experts, and traders from across the world. Referring to JEA's "close" cooperation and coordination with Jordan and Amman chambers of industry and other stakeholders, he said that this partnership aims to support the export industries sector and promote Jordanian products by enhancing their presence in specialised international exhibitions and facilitating their access to "vital and strategic" markets.
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordanian food manufacturers expand into UK market at IFE 2025
AMMAN: A delegation of Jordanian food manufacturers has launched a focused effort to enter the UK market by participating in the International Food & Drink Event 2025 (IFE) in London, which began Monday evening. The three-day exhibition serves as a key platform for Jordanian companies to present a wide range of products, including confectionery, baked goods, spices, nuts, and specialty foods, to a global audience of buyers and distributors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. President of the Jordan Exporters Association Ahmad Khudari stressed the importance of the event in fostering new trade relationships and expanding market access. He highlighted the goal of creating direct connections with international buyers and distributors to showcase the high quality and competitive edge of Jordanian food products, referring to the event's role in business development, especially in the growing halal food sector. He highlighted that expanding export markets is "crucial" for boosting domestic production, industrial growth, attracting foreign investment, and improving the country's trade balance. General Manager of the Jordan Exporters Association Halim Abu Rahma revealed "strong interest" from buyers, pointing out that the event is providing Jordanian companies with an "excellent" opportunity to demonstrate their product innovation and high standards. He also emphasised the association's commitment to helping Jordanian exporters reach key international trade shows, diversifying markets, and exploring new trade avenues. The UK market, with its large Arab and Muslim consumer base, was described as strategically important, particularly following Brexit. Abu Rahma encouraged companies to leverage the Jordan-UK free trade agreement to establish a "solid" presence in this market. The exhibition features 1,500 exhibitors and is expected to attract 30,000 buyers and distributors from over 105 countries. The Jordan-UK Partnership Agreement, which began in 2021, aims to enhance bilateral trade by offering tariff-free access for Jordanian products. Last year, trade between the two nations reached JD303 million, with Jordanian exports contributing JD62 million, indicating "substantial" potential for growth. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
18-03-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Jordanian food manufacturers expand into UK market at IFE 2025
The three-day exhibition serves as a key platform for Jordanian companies to present a wide range of products (Petra photo) AMMAN — A delegation of Jordanian food manufacturers has launched a focused effort to enter the UK market by participating in the International Food & Drink Event 2025 (IFE) in London, which began Monday evening. The three-day exhibition serves as a key platform for Jordanian companies to present a wide range of products, including confectionery, baked goods, spices, nuts, and specialty foods, to a global audience of buyers and distributors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. President of the Jordan Exporters Association Ahmad Khudari stressed the importance of the event in fostering new trade relationships and expanding market access. He highlighted the goal of creating direct connections with international buyers and distributors to showcase the high quality and competitive edge of Jordanian food products, referring to the event's role in business development, especially in the growing halal food sector. He highlighted that expanding export markets is "crucial" for boosting domestic production, industrial growth, attracting foreign investment, and improving the country's trade balance. General Manager of the Jordan Exporters Association Halim Abu Rahma revealed "strong interest" from buyers, pointing out that the event is providing Jordanian companies with an "excellent" opportunity to demonstrate their product innovation and high standards. He also emphasised the association's commitment to helping Jordanian exporters reach key international trade shows, diversifying markets, and exploring new trade avenues. The UK market, with its large Arab and Muslim consumer base, was described as strategically important, particularly following Brexit. Abu Rahma encouraged companies to leverage the Jordan-UK free trade agreement to establish a "solid" presence in this market. The exhibition features 1,500 exhibitors and is expected to attract 30,000 buyers and distributors from over 105 countries. The Jordan-UK Partnership Agreement, which began in 2021, aims to enhance bilateral trade by offering tariff-free access for Jordanian products. Last year, trade between the two nations reached JD303 million, with Jordanian exports contributing JD62 million, indicating "substantial" potential for growth.
Jordan Times
15-02-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
36 local industrial companies to attend Gulfood 2025 Dubai
AMMAN — A total of 36 Jordanian companies specialised in the food sector are set to take part in Gulfood 2025 Dubai, an international food and beverage trade fair, next Monday, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Jordan's participation in the five-day exhibition is organised by the Jordan Exporters Association (JEA), with the attendance of 5,500 exhibitors from 129 countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. JEA Chairman Senator Ahmad Khudari said that the Kingdom's 20th participation comes within the association's ongoing strategy to enhance national exports of food products and expand its presence in global markets. He said that the event will be an "important" platform for displaying and promoting various Jordanian products from local food sectors, mainly meat and poultry, desserts, baked goods, dairy, cheese, spices and coffee, in addition to many other foodstuff. Khudari said: "We are proud of the participation of these distinguished national companies in this important international event, which is an opportunity to introduce Jordanian products to global markets, reflecting the high quality of Jordan's food sector". Referring to Jordanian exports as a solution to multiple economic problems, he referred to new markets for products to help increase production, expansion, and attraction of fresh investments, thus providing further job opportunities for Jordanians, enhancing the Kingdom's stock of foreign currency reserves and improving the trade balance. Khudari also referred to the JEA's ongoing coordination and cooperation with Jordan and Amman chambers of industry, and Export House Company, to participate in foreign exhibitions and organise trade missions, to increase and diversify national exports to enter new markets. JEA Director Halim Abu Rahma said that the event represents a "unique" opportunity to build relationships, conclude deals, and learn about the latest developments in the food industry. Abu Rahma added that the fair represents a "remarkable" opportunity to boost trade ties between Jordan and Arab Gulf countries, stressing confidence that Jordanian products will receive "wide" attention from visitors and investors at the exhibition. He added that since its establishment in 1988, the JEA's programmes have "succeeded" in promoting Jordanian industrial exports, diversifying markets, opening new, non-traditional destinations and expanding the export base under its activities, especially in the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and France. Page 2
