Khaberni - National exports to non-Arab Asian countries increased by 15.4 percent during the first seven months of the current year, reaching a value of 1.077 billion dinars, compared to 933 million dinars for the same period last year.
In contrast, the Kingdom's imports from Asian countries slightly decreased by 0.5 percent to the end of last July, recording 4.073 billion dinars, compared with 4.095 billion dinars during the same period of the previous year.
Fathi Al-Jaghbir, head of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, confirmed to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), that this growth reflects a qualitative development in export performance, and a clear indication of the growing competitiveness of the national product in global markets.
He added that this increase does not just represent a geographical expansion in the map of Jordanian exports but reflects a strategic success in reaching markets with high demand and complex technical and commercial requirements such as India, China, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.
Al-Jaghbir explained that India played the most significant role in this growth, as Jordan's exports to it accounted for 58 percent of the total Jordanian exports to non-Arab Asian markets, with a value of about 630 million dinars, and a growth rate of 24 percent, compared to the same period last year, as exports to a number of other countries including China increased, reflecting an upward trend towards major industrial markets with diverse demand and high absorption capacity.
Al-Jaghbir pointed out that chemical products, phosphates, potash, and fertilizers formed the backbone of this growth, as they are strategic products that meet the needs of Asian countries with extensive agricultural and industrial activity, and are used in food, manufacturing, and chemical industries, in addition to mineral and industrial raw materials that enter into heavy industries.
He emphasized that this reflects the development of the national industry's production base and its ability to penetrate markets with high standards and high competitiveness.
Al-Jaghbir noted that Jordanian industrial exports have great potential to multiply their export performance in Asian markets if the required support is provided, stating that rising production and shipping costs still weaken the competitiveness of the Jordanian product despite its high quality, along with limited external promotion and weak programs for small companies' qualification for export limit the investment of available opportunities.
Al-Jaghbir stressed that the next phase requires expanding trade agreements and customs understandings with East Asian and Central Asian countries, which would allow Jordanian products to enter these vital markets with better advantages, stressing the importance of organizing specialized industrial missions and exhibitions targeting promising Asian markets, as these activities play a direct role in introducing potential importers and partners to the Jordanian manufacturing capabilities, and building sustainable trade and investment partnerships that open new horizons for national products.
In the same context, Al-Jaghbir emphasized the importance of enhancing commercial and diplomatic promotion through Jordanian trade attachés and embassies in Asian countries, activating communication channels with economic entities and importers, in addition to enhancing the industrial companies' capabilities to meet the international standards and specifications required in these markets, which allows them to reach new importers and increase their capacity for sustainable commercial expansion.
Al-Jaghbir emphasized the importance of improving the shipping and logistics system by providing direct maritime and land shipping lines connecting Jordan to the ports and commercial centers in Asia, contributing to reducing logistics costs and ensuring more efficient delivery of Jordanian exports to those markets.
