Financial Services

Finance and insurance remain major drivers of Jordan’s economic growth and in 2014 contributed they contributed a combined $3.6bn, or 13.9%, to GDP. Although lending has slowed somewhat, the sector remains well capitalised with banking sector deposits expanding by a robust 9.7% in 2014 to reach $42.7bn at the end of the year, a $3.8bn increase compared to a $3.7bn rise in 2013. Meanwhile the Jordan Securities Commission is undertaking feasibility studies to examine the possibility of demutualising and eventually privatising the Amman Stock Exchange. For its part, the insurance industry recorded 30.5% growth in combined net profits in 2014, with gross profits rising to a total of $46m, up from $31.9m the previous year, while new government legislation specifying the structure and transfer framework for the issuance of sharia compliant debt represents a positive step for the kingdom’s bond markets.

This chapter contains interviews with Ziad Fariz, Governor, Central Bank of Jordan; and Nemeh Sabbagh, CEO, Arab Bank.