Industry & Retail

Jordan’s industrial sector remains a central pillar of the kingdom’s economy with manufacturing contributing $6bn to the country’s estimated nominal GDP of $35.7bn in 2014. Meanwhile the country’s large mining industry – particularly of potash and phosphate – have fueled the rise of major chemicals and fertiliser industries in the kingdom while the country’s robust building materials sector has benefitted from the GCC construction boom, with worked monumental and building stone exports growing from $21m in 2013 to $50m in 2014. The kingdom’s organised retail segment has witnessed steady expansion over the last few years, with retail sales overall averaging 7.8% growth during the 2011-14 period. Meanwhile the e-retail segment is also on the rise, with Jordan-based online retailers taking advantage of the country’s central location to ship goods to customers in the region, as well as domestic clients.

This chapter contains an interview with Brent Heimann, CEO, Arab Potash Company.