Jordan

Al Eqbal Investment Company, formerly known as the International Tobacco and Cigarettes Company (ITCC), was established in 1992 as a public shareholding company focusing on the production and distribution of tobacco products. In 1998 ITCC signed an agreement with Phillip Morris International to locally produce and market L&M cigarettes and...

When it comes to managing banking sector crises, the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) has a solid track record of success. Over recent decades, it has been presented with a wide assortment of financial sector dilemmas, which have compelled it to respond with various and sometimes vigorous interventions.

Global banks have played a prominent role in the Middle East for decades, particularly in areas such as project finance where their vast capital and depth of experience grant them a competitive edge. Although regional players have grown considerably in capacity – especially in the retail segment – a closer look at the structured lending being directed towards various...

Over the past year, Jordan’s local banking sector has shown a robust performance, with aggregate lending on the rise and net profits generally maintained across the board. Improvements in asset quality indicators suggest that the industry has turned a corner regarding the troublesome loans that have persisted since the global financial crisis, and a relatively upbeat...