Khaberni - Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Al-Qudah confirmed that the government was surprised by an unprecedented rise in e-commerce figures, reaching 350 million dinars during the past year 2024.
During discussions in the parliamentary finance committee on the general budget law for the year 2026 today, Tuesday, Al-Qudah indicated that there is a governmental direction towards a Jordanian platform through which small and medium-sized enterprises can showcase and sell their products to Jordanians.
He added that the government is striving to increase Jordanian exports to ensure they reflect in reducing the trade deficit, through new agreements with new markets.
He revealed that Jordan is heading towards the African market, which is considered a promising market experiencing high growth rates, by heading to East Central Africa.
He continued: We headed again to the market in Rwanda, and a preferential trade agreement will be signed with the aim of opening new doors for Jordanian exports.
He stated that the government is working on opening markets in Central Asia through Uzbekistan, and a preferential trade agreement will be signed after the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr.
He noted that the Kingdom's exports in 2024 to the European Union amounted to 600 million dinars, and since the beginning of this year have reached 521 million dollars, and we will reach last year's figures by the end of 2025.
He emphasized that the majority of Jordanian exports to the American market consist of jewelry and clothing, and there are directions to diversify our exports in the coming period, targeting the Canadian market following its separation from the local market and activating the joint trade agreement.
He commented on inquiries from the MPs regarding the reduction of the budget for the Industry Support Fund, where we reached an agreement with the German government to fund it with 30 million euros in 2026, and there will be support provided over the next two years, 2027 and 2028, from the World Bank, ensuring the fund's support without any financial amounts being due on the government and the general budget.
He stressed that the Industry Support Fund provided to 631 companies with a non-refundable value of 63 million, which helped companies enhance their production lines and target new markets, providing 327 new job opportunities and increasing sales to 551 million dinars.
Al-Qudah revealed that he addressed the Minister of Agriculture to find out the feasibility of feeding livestock in Jordan with wheat.
He added that globally, feed prices are turbulently rising, and have exceeded the price of wheat.
