Latest news with #Khudari
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.
Arab News
12-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Jordanian food manufacturers to showcase products at Saudi Food Manufacturing expo in Riyadh
AMMAN: Jordanian food manufacturing companies will take part in the Saudi Food Manufacturing 2025 exhibition, which opens on Sunday in Riyadh, Jordan News Agency reported. Organized for the second time by the Jordan Exporters Association, the kingdom's participation highlights efforts to boost national exports and explore new opportunities in one of the region's most dynamic sectors, JNA added. The three-day event will feature more than 550 international brands, with national pavilions representing countries such as France, the Netherlands, the UK, Turkiye, India, Switzerland, Spain, Pakistan, Egypt, China and Italy. JEA Chairman Ahmed Khudari said that Jordan's involvement in the exhibition is part of broader efforts to diversify export markets and keep pace with global advancements in food manufacturing technologies and innovations. 'This is a key opportunity for Jordanian companies to promote their products, forge international partnerships and explore new marketing avenues,' Khudari said in a statement on Saturday. 'The Saudi market is one of the most important destinations for Jordanian industrial exports, thanks to the strong bilateral relations and geographic proximity between the two kingdoms,' he added. Khudari highlighted the significant progress made by the Jordanian industry in recent years, citing improvements in product quality and competitive pricing that have enabled exports to reach more than 150 markets globally. He added that growing industrial exports play a pivotal role in driving economic development, attracting investment, generating employment and boosting the kingdom's foreign currency reserves. Khudari also urged Jordanian food manufacturers to capitalize on the exhibition's expected high turnout of international exhibitors, brand owners, experts and traders. The JEA's participation is supported through collaboration with the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, as well as Export House, as part of a joint effort to strengthen Jordan's presence in strategic international markets and expand the global footprint of its food manufacturing sector.
Arab News
15-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Jordanian food companies have ‘remarkable opportunity' at London's IFE 2025 exhibition
LONDON: Jordanian companies in the food sector will have a 'remarkable opportunity' when they take part for the first time in the International Food and Drink Event, which begins on Monday at the ExCeL International Exhibition Centre in London, an official said Saturday. The three-day exhibition will feature 1,500 exhibitors from around the world and is expected to attract about 30,000 global buyers and distributors from more than 105 countries. Ahmed Khudari, chairman of the Jordan Exporters Association, highlighted the significance of the kingdom's debut at the show, calling it a key step in promoting Jordanian food exports and expanding their presence in international markets. 'This first participation comes within the association's strategy to promote Jordanian exports of food products and expand their presence in global markets,' he said. Khudari added that IFE 2025 offered a major opportunity for Jordanian companies to showcase their products and increase their global visibility, particularly in the UK. 'The IFE 2025 is a remarkable opportunity for Jordanian companies to showcase the quality of their products to the world and contribute to promoting Jordanian exports globally, particularly in Britain, which is witnessing a growing demand for international foods, especially from Arab countries,' he said. The exhibition will serve as a platform for Jordanian businesses to display a variety of products, including desserts, baked goods, spices, nuts and other food items. Khudari highlighted the advantages of the British market — particularly the presence of a large Arab community — which he described as a 'great opportunity for Jordanian companies to expand their businesses and strengthen their presence in this vital destination,' taking advantage of the free trade agreement signed between Jordan and the United Kingdom in 2021. The show also offers networking opportunities, he said, highlighting the broader economic impact of increasing Jordanian exports, particularly in addressing economic challenges. 'Jordanian exports represent a solution to multiple economic challenges, as creating new markets for local products boosts production, supports industrial expansion and attracts new investments,' he said. Khudari added that such efforts would also generate job opportunities for Jordanians, strengthen foreign currency reserves and improve the trade balance. According to official data, Jordan-UK trade exchange amounted to approximately 303 million Jordanian dinars ($427.3 million) last year, with 62 million Jordanian dinars attributed to exports from the country.
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
