In recent years, Jordan's textiles sector witnessed considerable growth and expansion. The impact of the country’s economic and foreign policy adjustments and accomplishments, particularly the QIZ and FTA agreements, played a determining role in boosting the sector's performance and facilitating the achievement of its present competitive stance in the Jordanian and international markets alike.

The expansion of the textiles sector has allowed it to play a more active and contributing role to the country's economic growth:

 A 19% increase in the employment level
 Number of Active Companies in the Sector increased by 70%
 A 78% increase in the sector’s calculated capital
 Levels of production increased by 176% due to higher exports and the trade agreements
 A 64% growth in the local market size
 A net growth of 206% in exports

Based upon His Majesty’s request, the private sector formulated an action plan to further boost the sector's growth. The prompt and adequate adoption of the plan by all stakeholders is expected to reap significant benefits to the sector in the coming years:

 The number of productive units is anticipated to rise from 2.752 units in year 2000 to 3.400 in year 2005.

 Total investment in the sector is expected to increase from JD136.2 million in 2000 to JD240 million in 2005.

The value of the sector’s total production is estimated to rise from a mere JD196.2 million in 2000 to JD 540 million in 2005.

 Exports are anticipated to rise to a value of JD630 million in 2005.

 Number of work force in the sector is anticipated to rise by 4.6%.

The textiles sector is anticipated to enjoy a continually growing and productive base with new opportunities arising throughout as a result of the sector's globally competitive merits in trade and commerce. Amongst them are: 

 The competitive labour and transportation costs.
 The sector's enhanced Human Resource Development Strategy.
The sector's deepening vertical and horizontal integration.
 Jordan's conducive legislative environment.
 The diverse QIZ, FTA, WTO, EU Trade Agreement, AFTA and EFTA agreements.

Pharmaceuticals 

Over the last decade, Jordan’s pharmaceutical industry has enjoyed a steadfast performance with an annual growth rate of 15%. 

Regarded as one of the country’s most competitive and productive industries, it continues to be Jordan’s largest exporter in the manufacturing sector and amongst the most active. Salient features encompass: 

 The sector contributes to 7% of the country's manufacturing GDP.
 It employs 3.4% of the manufacturing employment in the country.
Constitutes 9.6% of Jordan's manufacturing exports.
 Over 70% of the sector's total production is exported.
 Actual investment in the Arab pharmaceutical industry exceeds US$ 4 billion while it exceeds US$ 400 million in Jordan.

As Jordan continues to invest in R&D and health, the Pharmaceutical industry in Jordan is establishing a more active and contributing stance in the local and regional markets.

Strengths:

Productivity in the pharmaceutical sector will continue to witness higher levels of efficiency and progression as the sector further fosters and exploits its competitive strengths and opportunities. Such assets may be demonstrated through the pharmaceutical sector's:

 Established vertical and horizontal integration.
 High profit margins and local demand.
Efficient and advanced modes of production.
 Increased investment in R&D.
 Export oriented strategy.
 Intellectual property protection (TRIPS agreement).
 Its regional exclusivity in being the only Arab country to comply with data exclusivity.
 Its inherent privileges from the QIZ, FTA, WTO, EU Trade Agreement, AFTA and EFTA agreements.
 The sector's position in being the third largest exporter in Jordan.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) 

ICT has been identified as a catalyst for Jordan’s economic and social growth as it will enhance productivity, efficiency and outreach. 

National programs have been launched under the "Connecting Jordanians" initiative to drive ICT into every facet of our society and economy, which include connecting Jordanians through: 

 Jordan Information Technology Community Centers (JITCC)

 Educational Broad Band Network.

 E-government.

 PC in Schools.

 www.IT.jo.

 NetCorps.

 Others.

Opportunities:

Anticipating a significant increase in local demand in the near future as national initiatives begin to take effect, Jordan, today, is on the brink of setting itself up as leaders for export of intelligent products and services to regional and global markets. 

To date, the ICT sector has already witnessed significant progress:

	1999	2001
Domestic IT Revenues:	US$ 60 million	US$ 130 million
Export Revenue:	US$ 10 million	US$ 38 million.

Strengths:

Jordan holds great potential in becoming the ICT hub of the region, creating an inventive and active economic base for itself on the global map. The intrinsic abilities and capacity of the sector may be briefly illustrated through its:

Highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce, with one of the region’s highest computer literacy rates.
 Strong educational linkages.
 Strong regulatory framework.
 Investment friendly laws.
 Strong and enabling infrastructure.
 Various initiatives tailored to create an innovative and productive ICT base so as to facilitate the implementation of other ICT based projects.
 Strong regional ties and relations.
Free and open access to many of the Arab markets.
Solid relations with the EU and USA.
The strategic choice of adopting ICT as a catalyst for economic development.

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Jordan First  II  Political & Socio-Economic  Development  II  
  Competitiveness of Jordan  II  Engines of Growth  II  Privatization  II  
Main Economic Indicators  II  Enhance Productivity Program (EPP)  II
Economic Consultative Council (ECC)