The Middle East

Holding the potential to become a major economic growth driver, Jordan’s ICT sector has seen decades of robust telecoms expansion and a liberalisation agenda launched in the early 2000s, supporting rapid growth in mobile penetration and internet usage. Jordan’s ICT sector has been the focus of a series of recent government reforms aimed at supporting macroeconomic growth, with new lending...

With sweeping desert landscapes alongside natural and man-made wonders, tourism is an important facet of Jordan’s economy. Visitors flock to the country to see the fabled ancient city of Petra, take in important holy sites for Christians, Jews and Muslims, and bathe in the Dead Sea. While continued tension in the region has dented tourist numbers over the last few years, there are signs that...

The manufacturing, mining, quarrying and construction sectors continue to be pillars of Jordan’s economy, collectively accounting for around one-fifth of GDP in 2016. In recent years stable figures have been achieved despite adverse regional events, including war, border closures, population displacement and global market softening. As the relaxed rules of origin agreement with the EU began to...

While 2016 saw an overall slowdown in growth in Jordan’s construction sector, there is reason to expect more activity in the near future. A number of factors, including the country’s sizable refugee population and the government’s new focus on transport and infra¬structure development, point to a stimulated sector and increased growth. In addition, any easing of geopolitical tensions in the...

While most business activity in Jordan is still concentrated in and around Amman, as the only sea¬port city in Jordan, Aqaba plays an important role in the country’s economy. Since the decision to turn the coastal port city and its surroundings into a special economic zone was announced in 2001, it has grown in significance as an economic base and a tourist destination. Aqaba borders both...

Greater investment of both time and money into Jordan’s local, regional and international transport networks is expected, with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein...