Amman, January 6 (Petra) – The Jordan Investor Confidence Index, published by the Jordan Strategy Forum, increased by 1.7% in the third quarter of 2024, reaching 173.6 points, up from 170.7 points in the second quarter.

However, confidence in economic activity fell to 161.8 points in Q3 2024 from 167.3 points in the previous quarter, reflecting mixed sentiment.

Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.6% during Q3 2024, slightly lower than the 2.7% recorded in Q3 2023 but higher than the 2.4% growth in Q2 2024.

The general budget deficit after grants widened to JOD 695.2 million in Q3 2024, from JOD 647.6 million in the same quarter of 2023 and JOD 342.8 million in Q2 2024.

Foreign direct investment inflows into Jordan reached JOD 301 million in the third quarter of 2024, while the industrial production index rose to 90.6 points, up from 87.1 points in the preceding quarter.

The monetary system remained stable, with the confidence index standing at 200 points for the third consecutive quarter. Additionally, the Central Bank’s foreign exchange reserves expanded significantly, reaching JOD 14.35 billion in Q3 2024, up from JOD 13.28 billion in Q2 2024.

The interest rate differential between the dinar and the dollar narrowed to 2.07% in Q3 2024 compared to 2.17% in Q2 2024. Meanwhile, the value of returned checks increased by 7.3%, amounting to JOD 389.3 million, compared to JOD 362.6 million in the previous quarter.

Confidence in the financial system improved, with the index rising to 159.1 points from 148.3 points in Q2 2024. Bank credit to the private sector grew by 2.2% during Q3, reaching JOD 31.42 billion.

Conversely, the Amman Stock Exchange index declined by 18.2 points to 4,316.5 points in Q3 2024. The share trading ratio by foreign investors on the exchange dropped to 75.1%, compared to 105% in Q2 2024, signaling reduced foreign interest in the local equity market.

//Petra// AJ
06/01/2025 15:24:54