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Jordan Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Economic modernization priorities in the industrial sector
The recent Royal visit to three factories in Al-Muwaqqar Industrial City underscored the growing importance Jordan places on the industrial sector as a key engine of economic growth. This focus aligns with the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision, which serves as a national roadmap for sustainable development and job creation. The visit sent a clear economic message: it represents direct support for existing investments—both local and foreign—and reflects core priorities of the vision. These include stimulating investment, boosting exports, empowering the Jordanian workforce, and increasing value-added production within supply chains. The diversity of the factories visited—ranging from food production to packaging and garment manufacturing—demonstrates the vision's goal to diversify the production base and reduce reliance on traditional sectors. Supporting such manufacturing activities contributes to higher growth rates and the expansion of export markets. Equally important is the sector's capacity to employ Jordanians. These factories currently employ over a thousand Jordanians, with high representation in both administrative and technical roles. This highlights the commitment to human capital development and increasing private-sector employment, especially outside the capital, which helps address imbalances in the labor market. A notable feature of these factories is their strong export orientation. They rely heavily on access to regional and global markets, reinforcing the vision's strategic objective of doubling industrial exports and enhancing the competitiveness of Jordanian products. This export-driven approach is essential for increasing foreign currency earnings, reducing the trade deficit, and supporting broader macroeconomic stability. The visit also reflects a clear policy direction toward promoting industrial decentralization. By encouraging investment in industrial cities beyond Amman—such as Al-Muwaqqar, which benefits from modern infrastructure and attractive incentives—the vision seeks to distribute economic activity more equitably across the country and foster more inclusive growth. Particular attention is being paid to industries that generate high value, whether through food processing, specialized packaging, or manufacturing sports apparel for export. These sectors support the development of industrial value chains, promote integration between small and large enterprises, and encourage innovation and the use of modern technologies—critical components of the vision's competitiveness pillar. The royal visit delivered a strong message of national support for the industrial sector as a key driver of economic transformation. It emphasized the need to continue improving the business environment, streamlining procedures, and expanding investment incentives. It also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in implementing development projects that generate employment and contribute to social and economic stability. More than a ceremonial tour, the visit was a strategic signal that industry will remain central to Jordan's national policies. Supporting productive enterprises is essential to driving growth and achieving the broader goals of economic transformation. Raad Mahmoud Al-Tal is head of Economics Department – the University of Jordan – [email protected]
Jordan Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
King visits three production factories in Al Muwaqqar Industrial City
His Majesty King Abdullah visits on Thursday three factories in Al Muwaqqar Industrial City that specialise in food products, packaging, and garment manufacturing (Photo courtesy of Royal Court) AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday visited three factories in Al Muwaqqar Industrial City that specialise in food products, packaging, and garment manufacturing, and that are creating employment opportunities for Jordanians. His Majesty's first stop was at Al Kbous Group for Industrial Trading and Investment factories, which have been producing tea and coffee for local consumption as well as export since the establishment of the group's Jordan branch in 2013, according to a Royal Court statement. Chairman Hassan Al Kbous and CEO Mamoon Al Kbous gave a briefing about the group's factories, which have a production capacity of 7,200 tonnes and employ around 210 Jordanians. Founded in Yemen, Al Kbous Group has investments in seven countries in the region and globally, and has chosen to increase its industrial investments in Jordan through the establishment of an industrial potato factory and soft drinks factory. According to company officials, the group plans, as part of its expansion, to open new markets for its tea products, 95 per cent of which are exported to more than 32 countries. The King's next visit was to the Quality Carton Packaging (QPack) factory, a local company founded by ZalatimoIndustries in 2005, which employs 225 Jordanians, the statement said. The factory distributes its products to the local market, and exports approximately 7,000 tonnes annually to markets in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia. Group Chairman Marwan Zalatimo and CEO Mohammad Zalatimo gave a briefing on the manufacture of packaging for the food, trade, and shipping sectors, which the factory produces at a capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year. His Majesty also visited the Pine Tree Company for Textile Manufacturing factory, where CEO Moath Al Saaida gave a briefing about the company, whose exports exceed $100 million annually. Established in 2014, the Pine Tree Company employs around 600 Jordanians, including 60 industrial engineers, out of a total of 1,730 employees. Jordanians hold 98 per cent of management positions at the factory, which is affiliated with Singaporean sportswear manufacturer Ramatex. Jordan's industrial sector employs more than 250,000 employees, 90 per cent of whom are Jordanian, and attracts foreign investments while providing high-quality products that reach international markets, thereby contributing to economic growth.
