The Middle East

The argument for Jordan as an investment destination is certainly a compelling one. The nation occupies a strategic position near the convergence of Europe, Asia and Africa, and, despite its politically turbulent neighbours, it is a relatively stable monarchy supported by a democratically elected parliament. The government has established an open economy, adopted a...

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...