Jordan Industry Sectors

Jordon is the freest, and one of the most robust and competitive Arab economies in the world. The nation’s industrial sector is gradually becoming knowledge intensive with the advent of the 21^st century.

Thanks to greater instability in other countries in the region such as Iraq and Lebanon, Jordan has positioned itself as a stable environment with a strong services-oriented workforce.

Jordon is the freest, and one of the most robust and competitive Arab economies in the world. The nation’s industrial sector is gradually becoming knowledge intensive with the advent of the 21^st century.

Thanks to greater instability in other countries in the region such as Iraq and Lebanon, Jordan has positioned itself as a stable environment with a strong services-oriented workforce.

It is rapidly developing its ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) sector as well as export-oriented industries. Jordan was also recognized as the Middle East’s third most industrialized economy in the Competitive Industrial Performance (CIP) Index. Some of the main industries in Jordan are fertilizers, mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism and clothing.

Jordan Industry Sectors: Major Sectors

The major industrial sectors of Jordan are as follows:

Mining: The mining sector is one of the pillars of the Jordanian economy. The major mining exports of Jordan include potash and phosphates. It is the largest producer of raw phosphates in the world. Jordan also exports gypsum, unrefined salt, manganese ore and copper ore. Mineral production includes ceramic raw material, such as feldspar, glass sand and clays. The mining and minerals sector of Jordan registered exemplary growth of 10.8% in 2008. In Feb 2010, it gave rights to Areva SA, a nuclear giant of France, to mine uranium. In Q1 2010, gold rocks were found in the Arabo-Nubian Shield. The country also hosts the Jordan International Mining Expo (JOMINEX), aimed at increasing business opportunities through networking.

Telecoms and IT: Jordan’s billion-dollar telecommunications industry contributes a significant share to the nation’s economic growth. On an average, it generates $1.18 billion annually. After the 2001 telecom liberalization, the country’s IT sector has developed to become the best in the region. The information and communication technologies sector registered growth of 40% in 2006, totaling $580 million. It must be noted, however, that the growth of employment in the telecom sector has not been promising.

Transport: Jordan features a highly developed transportation system, which is amongst the best in the Middle East. In 2008, it contributed 7.6% to the country’s GDP. A fresh transport strategy was introduced in 2008 by the government to increase privatization in the sector and to modernize the sector further. The outlook for the sector is encouraging due to Iraq’s ongoing security crises. It will continue to act as one of the primary transit points for people and products moving to Iraq.