Amman, Sept. 24 (Petra) –The electrical and electronics sector in
the Kingdom has undergone significant and rapid developments over the
past five years, bringing it to an advanced and modern stage that
surpasses that of most countries in the region, according to Hatem
Al-Zoubi, representative of the sector at the Jordan Chamber of
Commerce.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Al-Zoubi said the sector
has made notable strides in providing the latest products in the
Kingdom, particularly in renewable energy, modern and smart lighting,
smart electrical appliances and technology-driven products, supported
by the growing experience of traders and importers.

He said the electrical appliance market is highly competitive, driven
by diverse import sources and the large number of businesses
operating in the sector. More than 3,000 traders operate in Amman and
other governorates, providing around 25,000 jobs. He stressed that
sector players remain committed to importing the latest appliance
models from multiple sources to meet a wide range of consumer needs.

Al-Zoubi described the sector as a key pillar of Jordan’s commercial
sector and an important contributor to economic activity, with strong
links to other commercial and service activities, particularly
housing and construction.

He said demand for electrical appliances and various lighting
products has remained moderate since the beginning of the year
compared with previous seasons, due to declining consumer purchasing
power and intense competition among sector traders.

Despite this, prices of electrical appliances in the local market
have remained relatively stable due to the availability of large
inventories, despite higher operating costs and expenses, including
increased transportation, shipping and insurance costs, delayed
shipments and higher prices in countries of origin amid regional
tensions.

Al-Zoubi said importers and wholesalers are sometimes forced to sell
products at cost to maintain the continuity of supply and ensure that
the local market remains stocked with a variety of products. He
stressed that goods are available in large quantities and that strong
competition among suppliers benefits consumers.

He highlighted traders’ and importers’ efforts to ensure the
continued availability and diversity of goods in the local market,
stressing the need for greater facilitation of inspection procedures.
He also called for consideration of certificates issued in countries
of origin, provided they are duly authenticated and comply with the
inspection requirements applied by the relevant authorities in
Jordan, which he said would help reduce costs.

He also stressed the need to train and qualify personnel involved in
import and inspection procedures in line with the continued
advancement of electrical appliance technologies and modern and smart
lighting solutions. Updating technical expertise, he said, would help
facilitate imports, accelerate the flow of goods into the local
market and contribute to ensuring the quality of products available
to consumers.

Al-Zoubi affirmed that electrical appliances and lighting products
entering the Kingdom and reaching the local market meet high
standards of quality, efficiency and specifications and are subject
to continuous inspection and oversight by the Jordan Standards and
Metrology Organization.

He noted that there is ongoing cooperation with the organization and
the Jordan Customs Department to facilitate the flow of goods into
the local market and complete procedures as quickly as possible. The
Chamber also coordinates with the ministries responsible for industry
and trade, and energy and mineral resources, which has helped resolve
and overcome a number of challenges facing the sector.

He said monitoring the sector’s issues and addressing challenges
facing traders and importers remains an ongoing priority amid the
rapid developments in the sector and changes in products, trading
patterns and consumer behavior.

Al-Zoubi stressed that addressing the sector’s issues requires
continuous communication with the relevant government institutions,
including conveying observations and proposals submitted by traders
and importers and working to develop practical solutions to the
challenges facing their businesses. Such efforts, he said, contribute
to improving the business environment and enhancing market stability.

He also underscored the importance of continuing to develop
legislation, regulations and technical standards governing the sector
to keep pace with rapid technological developments and the nature of
modern products, while maintaining a balance between consumer
protection and facilitating commercial activity.

“The Jordan Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in following
up on the concerns of commercial sectors and conveying their demands
and observations to government authorities through dialogue and
coordination, as well as following up on legislation, technical
standards, import procedures and other issues affecting commercial
activity,” Al-Zoubi said.

He noted that sector businesses also play an important role in
serving consumers by providing products, warranties, maintenance and
after-sales services, while contributing to employment and supporting
transportation, warehousing and other services linked to commercial
activity. This, he said, underscores the need for a business
environment that enables enterprises to remain operational and
continue to develop.

Al-Zoubi stressed the importance of continued dialogue between the
private sector and government authorities and building on the issues
and observations already raised to create a more flexible and stable
business environment that supports sector growth and safeguards the
interests of traders, consumers and the national economy.

He reiterated that the Jordan Chamber of Commerce plays an important
role in following up on the concerns of commercial sectors and
conveying their demands and observations to government authorities
through dialogue and coordination, particularly on legislation,
technical standards, import procedures and other matters related to
commercial activity.

//Petra//WH