Amman, June 28 (Petra) – The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply
on Sunday launched the “Leadership in Industry” programme,
implemented through the Industrial Development and Support Fund with
€35 million in German government funding.

The programme is aimed to support 370 micro, small and medium-sized
industrial enterprises, enhance competitiveness, boost exports and
create jobs. It offers non-refundable grants of up to JD25,000 for
micro-enterprises, JD50,000 for small enterprises and JD100,000 for
medium-sized enterprises.

It allocates €10 million to support women-led businesses and promote
women’s economic participation through technical and logistical
assistance.

The Fund will cover up to 70 per cent of eligible project costs,
rising to 80 per cent for businesses owned or managed by women or
those that create employment opportunities for women.

Speaking at the launch, Ministry Secretary-General Dana Zoubi said
the programme supports the Economic Modernisation Vision and the
Industrial Policy 2024-2028, aimed at strengthening the
competitiveness of Jordanian industry and increasing its contribution
to economic growth.

Zoubi said the industrial sector accounts for about one-quarter of
the national economy and contributed nearly 45 per cent of Jordan’s
economic growth last year.

She added that the Industrial Development and Support Fund has
received more than 2,500 applications, benefiting 635 companies whose
sales increased by more than 30 per cent and exports by around 40 per
cent, while helping create more than 4,100 jobs.

Zoubi revealed preliminary understandings with the World Bank to
secure around JD60 million in additional funding for the period
2027-2029 to expand industrial support programmes.

Jordan Chamber of Industry Vice President Mohammad Jitan said more
than 90 per cent of the Kingdom’s industrial establishments are small
and medium-sized enterprises that require continued financial support
to expand and improve competitiveness.

He said Fund programmes have helped companies overcome financing and
operating cost challenges while increasing productivity and exports.

World Bank representative Mohammad Abdel-Qader said the initiative is
the result of nearly three years of cooperation between Jordan,
Germany and the World Bank, with a focus on supporting small
businesses, promoting development in the governorates and increasing
women’s participation in the industrial workforce.

German Development Bank office director Matthias Schmidt-Rosen said
support for Jordan’s industrial sector remains a cornerstone of
cooperation with the government, with continued efforts to develop
financing programmes that promote competitiveness, economic growth
and job creation.

//Petra// AK