Irbid, August 5 (Petra) – The Irbid Chamber of Industry met with
representatives of the leather and garment industries sector to
review recent sector developments, export opportunities in the United
States market, and key challenges facing factories.

Chamber Chairman Hani Abu Hassan, speaking in the presence of Al
Hassan Industrial Estate Investors Association Chairman Imad Naddaf,
described the sector as a major contributor to national exports and
employment.

Abu Hassan highlighted the chamber’s regular meetings with industrial
sectors to identify their needs and follow up on their concerns with
government agencies, with the aim of addressing obstacles and
improving the competitiveness of Jordanian industries.

He stressed the need to use opportunities provided by international
trade agreements and expand access to new markets for Jordanian
products, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision and national
export objectives.

Jordan Chamber of Industry Leather and Garment Industries Sector
representative Ehab Qadri reviewed developments related to the United
States market.

Qadri stated that the latest trade agreement between Jordan and the
United States provided the sector with a competitive advantage by
allowing Jordanian garment exports to enter the United States market
at a zero percent tariff.

He indicated that the measure could increase export orders and
contracts, providing factories with opportunities to expand
production and exports.

Qadri urged companies to meet quality standards and international
market requirements to strengthen Jordan’s position as a regional
garment manufacturing and export center.

Participants also discussed challenges related to labor, recruitment
procedures, and the need to streamline processes to maintain
production and factory competitiveness, particularly for companies
with international export contracts.

They underscored the importance of continued public-private sector
coordination to address challenges, increase the use of trade
agreements, expand exports, attract investment, and create jobs.

Participants also called for continued consultations between the
Irbid Chamber of Industry and sector representatives to communicate
manufacturers’ concerns to relevant authorities and develop practical
measures supporting sector growth.

Irbid Chamber of Industry Director-General Nidal Sadr told the Jordan
News Agency (Petra) that the United States ranked as the leading
destination for Irbid’s industrial exports during the first seven
months of 2026, with exports exceeding $676 million.

Sadr detailed that leather and garment industries ranked first in
their contribution to the governorate’s exports to the United States.
The sector’s exports exceeded $630 million during the first seven
months, with a substantial share directed to the United States
market.

//Petra// AO