Amman, June 1 (Petra) — Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply
Yarub Qudah said on Monday that foreign trade figures for the first
quarter of the year reflect a resilient national economy with the
ability of productive sectors to maintain their presence in external
markets despite economic and regional challenges.

National exports rose by 1.6% in the first quarter, reaching JD 2.129
billion, an indicator of growing competitiveness of Jordanian
products and a wider access to global markets, he said.

The minister noted that export performance was concentrated in
value-added industrial sectors, led by garments, crude potash, and
pharmaceuticals, reflecting the diversity of Jordan’s productive base
and its ability to meet the requirements of different markets.

Qudah said a notable rise in national exports to key markets,
including Syria, 45.3%, China, 74.1%, and European Union countries,
69.9%, underscores successful government and private-sector efforts
to open new markets and enhance trade relations with economic
partners.

These positive indicators, he said, are the result of government
policies to boost the competitiveness of the national industry,
improve the business environment, and facilitate trade exchange, in
addition to efforts under the Economic Modernization Vision to
increase the contribution of the industrial and export sectors to
growth.

The minister said the ministry continues to work in partnership with
the private sector to address challenges facing exporters and
capitalize on free trade agreements Jordan signed with global blocs
and markets. He said these efforts strengthen Jordan’s standing as a
regional hub for production and export, and create broader
opportunities for national products to reach new and promising
markets.

Qudah said imports declined by 2.9% during the same period, helping
narrow the trade deficit by 6.3% to JD 1.907 billion. He added that
the improvement in the total export-to-import coverage ratio to 59%
is a positive indicator of stronger trade performance.

He pledged the ministry will continue implementing programs to
support exports, develop external markets, and increase the added
value of national industries, in line with the Economic Modernization
Vision’s targets to raise national exports, stimulate industrial
investment, and create quality jobs for Jordanians across the
governorates.

//Petra// AO