Jordan celebrates launch of National Export Strategy

Amman, 27 May – The Government of Jordan today launched its National Export Strategy (NES) aimed at strengthening the foundations of its private sector and ensuring that the country stays on track to becoming a leading exporter of services and goods in the Middle East and beyond. The launch in Amman comes after several rounds of multi-stakeholder consultations led by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC).


The NES will function as a compass for the government, the private sector and Jordan's development partners in their joint efforts to help the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lift their competitiveness and value addition to a higher level. It will guide Jordan's efforts to generate employment opportunities, improve the business environment and explore means of sustainable growth.

'Jordan is among the region's most open economies and it is committed to maximizing the benefits that come with greater international trade,' said Dr Hatem Al-Halawani, Jordan's Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply. ‘The National Export Strategy that we are launching today will serve as a blueprint for Jordan to accomplish that.'

ITC Executive Director Arancha González said: ' This Export Strategy provides Jordan with a national vision for exports, allowing the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, to take full advantage of trade. The potential is tremendous, but the gains will only be achieved when the Strategy is put into practice.'


‘The Strategy offers Jordan a unique opportunity to help its enterprises grow, sustain their export relationships and climb up the technology ladder, thereby driving Jordan’s competitiveness,’ she added.

The NES targets the development of six priority sectors: fresh fruit and vegetables; prepared and preserved meat; paints; electrical wires and cables; management consulting services; and architecture and engineering services. The Strategy also targets four priority cross-sector functions: trade facilitation and logistics; quality management; employment (technical vocational education and training); and trade information and promotion. As such, the NES aims to ensure that all sectors, not just those identified as priority sectors, benefit from a boost in competitiveness.

'The efficient implementation of the NES will be crucial, and will require the persistence and the will of all involved to truly resolve the issues that affect exports,' said Dr. Al-Halawani. 'This can only be achieved through the co-operation between the private and public sectors, which will provide greater benefits for the whole of the Jordanian society.' By promoting a balanced relationship between trade integration, sustainable development and social inclusion, the NES aims to boost employment generation, improve livelihoods and reduce poverty among Jordanians.

Read a fact sheet about Jordan's National Export Strategy.

ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid for Trade agenda and the Millennium Development Goals.

Please click here to download the PDF version.