Amman: Exports from the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) increased by 9.5% in the January-June period of this year, underscoring confidence in the Jordanian industry, its quality, and its capacity to navigate regional changes and challenges. This expansion has positioned these exports as pivotal economic activities contributing to the Kingdom's economic growth in the first quarter of this year.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ACI's statistical report highlights the diversification of products and the geographical reach of Jordanian exports, reaching non-traditional African, European, and non-Arab Asian markets. ACI's exports during the first half of this year rose to JD3.801 billion, compared to JD3.472 billion for the same period last year. All industrial sectors recorded export growth, except for the leather, textiles, engineering, and information technology sectors, which saw declines of 0.4% and 10.8%, respectively.
In contrast, the packaging, paper, cardboard, and office supplies sector experienced the highest export growth at 44.2%, while the mining industry saw the lowest growth at 4.8%. India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq emerged as the top destinations for the chamber's exports, with a total value of JD1.935 billion. Exports to India remained stable at approximately JD532 million, while exports to Saudi Arabia increased by 1.9% to about JD426 million.
The chamber's exports to Iraq rose by 19% to approximately JD537 million, whereas exports to the United States declined by 24.9% to JD440 million. Despite this decline, the United States remained the largest recipient of the chamber's exports among Arab and foreign countries. Exports to Syria and Palestine also recorded significant growth, increasing by 27.1% and 32.5%, respectively.
The geographical distribution of the chamber's exports during this period showed Arab countries leading with a value of JD1.935 billion, followed by non-Arab Asian nations at JD896 million, and North American countries at JD470 million. European Union countries received exports worth approximately JD255 million, while non-EU European nations received JD131 million. Exports to African countries stood at around JD37 million, South American states at JD36 million, and other countries at approximately JD41 million.
The chamber's exports were distributed across various sectors, with mining industries at approximately JD853 million, chemicals and cosmetics at JD808 million, and food, agricultural, and livestock industries at around JD536 million. During the same period, leather and textile industries exports reached approximately JD503 million, while engineering, electrical, and IT industries totaled JD460 million. Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies amounted to JD389 million, and other industries contributed to the remaining exports.