Economy

Jordan’s agricultural sector has never recovered from the loss of the West Bank after the 1967 Middle East war, which depressed Jordan of 80 % of its fruit growing area and a proportionate amount of export revenue.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, citrus fruit, watermelons, aubergines and wheat are the principal products grown in the remaining, mostly desert area. Phosphate mining and potash extraction from the Dead Sea area are the longest recognized industries, to these, chemical manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, and the production of metals and minerals have since been added.

Other commercial enterprises include plastics, paints and cement production. The ongoing search for exploitable oil deposits, ineffective thus far, continues, and attempts have been made to develop alternative sources of power.

The service sector, which accounts for around 2 3rd's of total output, covers wholesale and retail trading, finance, transport and tourism. This sector has been especially badly hit by events in Iraq, Jordan’s eastern neighbour, which accounted for some 20 % of Jordan’s total pre-sanctions trade.

United Nation sanctions against Iraq curtailed much Iraqi transit trade that would otherwise have come through the Jordanian port of Aqaba. Cheap oil materials from Iraq have been made up, but only in part, by shipments from other Arab countries.

During the concluding years of King Hussein’s rule, some economic reforms based on the customary package of deregulation and privatisation were instituted. These brought Jordan’s rampant inflation under control but failed to dent the country’s massive unemployment problem. These reforms have, by and large, sustained under King Abdullah.

Many Jordanian workers have travelled abroad in search of employment as their payments are an essential means of support for many families. Jordan is a member of various pan Arab economic bodies, particularly the Council of Arab Economic Co-operation and the Arab Monetary Fund.

Jordan joined the World Trade Organization in 2000. Apart from other Arab states, some of which also provide financial aid, other major trading partners include India, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America (which is also an aid donor).

Business

English is largely spoken in business circles. It is advised to avoid Friday appointments. A good supply of visiting cards is vital and formality in dress is important, men should wear a suit and tie for business meetings.

General office hours are Saturday to Thursday from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm (with 1 or 2 hour lunch breaks).

Government office hours are Sunday to Thursday from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm.

During the month of Ramadan, working hours are significantly reduced.

Commercial Information

The following associations can offer advice:

Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI)

Address: 2nd Circle, Amman

Telephone: (6) 464 3001

Facsimile: (6) 464 7852

Email address: aci@aci.org.jo

Federation of Jordanian Chambers of Commerce (FJCC)

Address: PO Box 7029, Amman 11118

Telephone: (6) 566 5492 or 567 4495

Facsimile: (6) 568 5997

Email address: fjcc@go.com.jo

Website address: www.jocc.org.jo