Amman, May 18 (Petra) — Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply
Ya’rub Qudah stressed the importance of integration and partnership
between the government and political parties in supporting Jordan’s
comprehensive modernization process and advancing sustainable
economic growth.

During a meeting with Secretary-General of the Change Party Fawzan
Abadi and party representatives, Qudah said the Economic
Modernization Vision constitutes a long-term national project built
on defined priorities and implementation programs within a clear
timeline.

He said the vision aims to increase national exports, strengthen the
competitiveness of the industrial, commercial, and service sectors,
expand their contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generate
employment opportunities, and improve service quality.

Qudah noted that Jordanian exports rose by 10 percent in 2025
compared with 2024, reaching approximately JD9.5 billion, driven by
continued growth in national industrial output.

He added that the industrial sector contributes around 24 percent of
the Kingdom’s GDP and provides nearly 260,000 jobs, making it a key
pillar of economic growth and employment generation.

The minister said the ministry is implementing a comprehensive
strategy to support the industrial sector through opening new export
markets, concluding preferential trade agreements, and maximizing the
benefits of Jordan’s free trade agreements, which enable Jordanian
products to access more than 150 countries worldwide.

He added that the Industry Support Fund has provided assistance to
around 700 industrial companies, contributing to the creation of more
than 4,000 jobs, increasing exports by 40 percent, and raising sales
by 30 percent. Qudah also highlighted the ministry’s focus on women’s
economic empowerment and support for small and medium-sized
enterprises.

He said the government is moving forward with several strategic
projects, including the National Water Carrier Project, railway
initiatives, connecting industrial cities to the natural gas network,
and upgrading transportation infrastructure, noting that these
projects are expected to strengthen the investment environment.

The minister added that the government continues to settle
outstanding dues owed to factories and suppliers to improve liquidity
and sustain production activity.

Qudah said Jordan maintains strong monetary indicators and foreign
currency reserves at the Central Bank of Jordan that exceed
international coverage standards for imports, supporting monetary
stability and investor confidence.

He noted that the ministry is currently prioritizing high-value
industries, including mining, pharmaceuticals, and apparel
manufacturing.

On food security, Qudah said Jordan has become a regional model for
market stability, affirming that strategic wheat and barley reserves
remain secure and sufficient for extended periods. He also reviewed
government measures aimed at mitigating the impact of global price
increases and maintaining supply chain continuity.

For his part, Abadi stressed the importance of cooperation between
program-based political parties and government institutions in
supporting political and economic modernization efforts.

He praised the ministry’s role in supporting productive sectors and
enhancing economic competitiveness, affirming the party’s support for
national programs aimed at stimulating investment and creating
employment opportunities for youth.

//Petra// AJ