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Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: IPP index records 0.27% decline in first four months of 2025
AMMAN — The Industrial Producer Price (IPP) index for the first four months of 2025 reached 106.97 points, compared with 107.26 points for the same period in 2024, marking a decline of 0.27 per cent, the Department of Statistics' (DoS) monthly report showed on Thursday. According to the report, the decline was "primarily" attributed to a 0.23 per cent decrease in manufacturing prices and a 1.33 per cent drop in extractive industries prices, while electricity prices saw a modest increase of 0.18 per cent. On a monthly basis, the PPI for April 2025 stood at 106.60 points, compared with 107.41 points in April 2024, marking a year-on-year decrease of 0.75 per cent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. In terms of commodity breakdown, the decrease in April 2025 index compared with the same month in 2024 was mainly due to a 0.94 per cent decline in manufacturing prices. Prices in the extractive industries sector rose by 0.49 per cent, while electricity prices increased by 1.02 per cent. Compared with the previous month, the PPI for April 2025 also fell, registering 106.60 points versus 107.21 points in March 2025, reflecting a 0.57 per cent monthly decrease. This monthly drop was driven by a 0.66 per cent decrease in manufacturing prices, despite slight increases of 0.04 per cent in extractive industries and 0.24 percent in electricity prices. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Industrial exports drive 11.7% growth in Q1
AMMAN — National exports rose by 11.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, reaching JD2.093 billion, compared with JD1.873 billion during the same period last year, the Department of Statistics (DoS) said on Sunday. The growth was driven by 'strong' performance in key industrial sectors, including fertilisers, apparel, jewellery and potash, the DoS' foreign trade report, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, showed. Six major industrial commodities accounted for 57.5 per cent of total national exports during the quarter. Chemical fertilisers led the list with export revenues rising to JD243 million, up 20.9 per cent from JD201 million in the first quarter of 2024. Apparel and related products remained the Kingdom's top industrial export by value, generating JD384 million, an increase of 6.1 per cent from JD362 million a year earlier. Jewellery exports also showed 'strong' momentum, climbing 13.3 per cent to JD221 million, compared with JD195 million in the same period last year. Raw potash exports posted a modest increase of 2.6 per cent, totalling JD120 million, up from JD117 million in the corresponding period of 2024. The report also showed declines in other key sectors. Phosphate exports dropped by 8.2 per cent to JD112 million, down from JD122 million in the first quarter of the previous year. Pharmaceutical exports saw a sharper decline of 11.5 per cent, falling to JD123 million from JD139 million. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EMV's tourism initiatives enhance Jordan's status as global destination
AMMAN — The Economic Modernisation Vision's (EMV) economic engine of "Jordan, a Global Destination" includes a number of "qualitative" tourism initiatives that aim to enhance competitiveness and achieve a sustainable growth, according to an official statement. The tourism sector is considered one of the "largest" tributaries of the Kingdom's economy, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The Kingdom enjoys "unique" attractions in the religious, historical, and nature-based fields, such as Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, the Baptism Site, Machaerus, the Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Ahlu Al Kahf) and the Husseini Mosque, in addition to adventure tourism such as diving and water sports sites. Jordan enjoys a "leading" position in the fast-growing medical tourism, and it meets the needs of tourists who are looking for "special" experiences in archaeological, nature and health tourism. The top tourism initiatives under the EMV aim at developing, managing and preserving tourist sites and facilities, improving various types of tourism products, activating the tourism investment initiative, and facilitating travel to and within Jordan, as well as launching a cost competitiveness initiative and providing services at "reasonable" prices. The initiatives also include establishing a programme for skill development, launching the "digital tourist initiative", updating the sector's data to facilitate decision-making, enhance tourism marketing, linking Jordan to wider network of countries, improving tourism-related regulations and simplifying governmental procedures. The Jordan Global Destination Engine comprises two sectors encompassing 25 initiatives, according to Petra. Tourism revenue surged to $2.4 billion in the first third of 2025, marking a 15.3 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, according the data from the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ). According to the monthly report issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan welcomed about 2.1 million international tourists in the first four months of 2025, marking a 19 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. This growth is attributed to promotional campaigns that target global markets, in addition to resuming direct flights and low-cost airlines. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan News
18-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Jordan and the UAE Aim to Surpass $8 Billion in Non-Oil Trade - Jordan News
Jordan and the UAE Aim to Surpass $8 Billion in Non-Oil Trade Economic stakeholders have affirmed that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Jordan and the United Arab Emirates represents a pivotal milestone in strengthening bilateral economic ties. It marks a qualitative leap towards a long-term strategic partnership that will stimulate investment, boost trade volume, and support key sectors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the national economy. اضافة اعلان They told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the provisions of the agreement related to knowledge transfer, digital transformation, and infrastructure development will directly enhance the competitiveness of the national economy and create sustainable job opportunities. The CEPA officially came into force last Thursday. The agreement aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in various economic fields, maximizing the use of available opportunities and fostering integration across several sectors. His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, witnessed the signing of the CEPA between the two governments in October last year. Through this partnership, both Jordan and the UAE aim to increase non-oil bilateral trade to more than $8 billion by 2032, up from $5.6 billion in 2023. Under the agreement, tariffs will be eliminated or reduced, and trade barriers will be removed, thereby improving market access and strengthening regional and global supply chains. Dr. Ahmad Al-Hindawi, Chairman of the Jordan Business Council in Dubai, told Petra that the agreement is significant as it is the first of its kind between the UAE and an Arab country. It is also the first comprehensive economic partnership agreement the UAE has signed that has entered into force, giving it strategic importance. He noted that non-oil trade between the two countries grew by over 34% in 2023 to reach $5.6 billion—an increase of more than 120% compared to the base year 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth reflects the strength of the economic relationship and the public and private sectors' commitment to enhancing it. The agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on most goods and services and remove technical and non-technical trade barriers, making market access easier and enhancing bilateral and regional supply chains. Al-Hindawi emphasized that the partnership demonstrates a high level of economic integration between the two countries and their shared commitment to elevating trade and investment relations. The UAE is Jordan's fifth-largest global trading partner and the largest foreign investor in the Kingdom. He added that UAE investments in Jordan are valued at around $17 billion, out of a total of $22.5 billion in mutual investments. These span key sectors such as real estate, industry, healthcare, education, and services. More than 300,000 Jordanians reside in the UAE, including approximately 15,000 entrepreneurs, reflecting the strong human and economic ties between the two nations. Al-Hindawi expressed hope that the agreement would serve as a new platform for economic integration and cooperation, further solidifying both countries' positions as strategic partners pursuing mutual growth and sustainable development. Meanwhile, Hamdi Tabbaa, President of the Jordanian Businessmen Association, stressed that the UAE is one of Jordan's key economic partners and one of the largest investors in many vital sectors that contribute to national economic growth, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, logistics, and energy. He stated that UAE investments in Jordan are estimated at around $22.5 billion, and non-oil bilateral trade grew by 118% between 2019 and 2023. Jordan's share of the UAE's total non-oil trade with Arab countries reached 8%, making the UAE Jordan's fifth-largest trading partner. Tabbaa described the CEPA as a strategic step to enhance mutual investments and bilateral trade, including the implementation of a $5.5 billion package of investment projects. These projects support Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision and include service, development, and infrastructure initiatives that aim to capitalize on available opportunities and foster sectoral integration—especially in areas impacted by regional geopolitical challenges. He added that the agreement will open new avenues for long-term partnerships between business communities and the private sectors of both countries, fostering joint economic growth and job creation, particularly for Jordanian youth and SMEs. It will also reduce trade restrictions and create effective collaboration platforms that empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators, ensuring inclusive benefits from economic gains. Tabbaa stressed the importance of active public-private sector cooperation to effectively implement the agreement, particularly in energy, mining, potash and phosphate production, and pharmaceuticals. He underscored the importance of offering customs and tax exemptions to the UAE side to facilitate smooth implementation, in addition to enhancing information exchange to ease the import and entry of goods. Fahd Al-Tawileh, President of the Al-Rakhwaa Businessmen Association, described the agreement as a qualitative step to strengthen public-private sector cooperation and streamline trade exchange. He noted that such agreements directly support market access and help remove export-import obstacles. He praised the UAE's pivotal role as a regional trade hub and expressed Jordan's aspiration to achieve a similar status. Al-Tawileh emphasized that both countries need to expand their commercial relations to access new markets that were previously hard to reach, and the agreement paves the way for this. It also reflects the depth of the political and economic ties between Jordan and the UAE. He commended the establishment of a joint ministerial committee between the two countries' Ministries of Industry and Trade, which will play a central role in addressing any future obstacles and facilitate harmony between the public and private sectors in achieving the agreement's goals. He also noted that Jordanian products are well-received in the UAE market due to their quality and good reputation, expressing hope for increased trade in the near future. Reem Al-Baghdadi, President of the Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women, said the CEPA is a practical embodiment of Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision, particularly in empowering SMEs, which constitute about 89% of the country's total economic institutions. She explained that the agreement aims to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers that have long hindered the flow of Jordanian exports. It will also ease trade restrictions and improve market access, which will enhance the ability of SMEs to market their products, especially in promising sectors such as food industries, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Al-Baghdadi highlighted that the agreement includes cooperation in capacity-building, knowledge transfer, digital transformation, innovation, and compliance with export standards, which will raise the competitiveness of Jordanian companies internationally and help prepare Jordanian youth for the global job market. She affirmed that the CEPA is a strategic step to support national efforts to strengthen the economy and improve the competitiveness of Jordanian products in regional and global markets. Reem Badran, President of Partners–Jordan, stated that amid rapidly changing economic and geopolitical conditions, the Jordan–UAE CEPA stands as a mature model of what Arab cooperation can achieve when built on shared vision and mutual interests rather than circumstantial support or formalities. She noted that the agreement is grounded in a long history of strong political and economic relations and elevates the relationship to a new stage based on long-term strategic planning. Badran pointed out that UAE investments in Jordan surpassed $4.6 billion as of 2024, distributed across key sectors such as real estate, energy, tourism, and transport. She projected a 20% increase in these investments over the next three years following the agreement's implementation—providing a strong boost to Jordan's economy, which aims to spur growth and create sustainable employment. She emphasized that what distinguishes the agreement is not just the volume of investment but also its quality. The agreement clearly focuses on future-oriented sectors like the digital economy, food security, renewable energy, and technology, which are top priorities in Jordan's modernization plans. These sectors not only improve macroeconomic indicators but also help build a more resilient and crisis-resistant economic environment. She concluded that the partnership represents a model of how Arab economic relations should be—founded on added value, knowledge transfer, and local capacity building. When investments are directed toward building factories, training youth, and developing infrastructure, they become true developmental tools—not merely capital flows. She also highlighted that the agreement reflects a shared understanding by Jordanian and Emirati leaderships that political stability is inseparable from economic growth. 'While the region experiences conflicts and instability, Jordan and the UAE are choosing a model based on development, integration, and mutual benefit—making this a strategic stance with both regional and global significance.' — (Petra)
Jordan News
18-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Ajloun: Projects Position the Governorate on the Map of Sustainable Tourism - Jordan News
The Ajloun Development Area is witnessing accelerated progress in developing high-quality investment and tourism projects aimed at transforming the governorate into a fully integrated eco-tourism destination. This transformation is being driven by strategic partnerships and a variety of incentives that foster a sustainable business environment. اضافة اعلان Tariq Al-Ma'aytah, Director of the Ajloun Development Area, stated that the region is experiencing a steady rise in investment activity as part of an ambitious plan to establish it as a premier environmental and tourism hub. Key projects include eco-lodges, new hotels, a national park, and a range of recreational and family-friendly facilities and events. In remarks to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Al-Ma'aytah confirmed that the coming phase will see the launch of several vital projects in partnership with investors. These include a hotel and eco-lodges currently under development, as well as a multipurpose palace featuring conference and seminar halls. He emphasized that the Ajloun Cable Car project is one of the most prominent development initiatives in the Kingdom, marking the first of its kind in Jordan. It has become a major attraction for both local and regional tourists, stimulating economic and commercial activity while boosting tourism-related investments in the governorate. Al-Ma'aytah noted that the cable car area has also seen a significant influx of visitors—particularly from the Arab world—coinciding with a series of diverse entertainment events. These included musical performances, children's programs, and traditional markets that created a vibrant and lively atmosphere. He added that the development area is steadily moving toward transforming the cable car site into a full-scale resort by expanding activities and supporting facilities. These include recreational vehicles such as off-road buggies and electric scooters. In parallel, work continues on the Ajloun National Park project, which is progressing significantly, with around 60–70% of its components expected to be completed by 2027.
