Amman, Aug. 3 (Petra) -- The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) said the government's continued adoption of investment incentives and supportive policies for the industrial sector will strengthen investor confidence and further position Jordan as an attractive destination for industrial investment.

JCI President Fathi Al-Jaghbir told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the package of decisions approved by the Council of Ministers on Sunday builds on a series of government measures introduced in recent years to support industrial growth and improve the sector's competitiveness.

The Cabinet approved granting Al Rawda Industrial City, located within the Ma'an Development Area, the same investment incentives available to the industrial cities of Karak and Tafilah. It also extended, for three additional years, reduced industrial land prices in the industrial cities of Madaba, Tafilah and Salt to enable existing companies to complete production projects, sustain investments and support economic growth.

In addition, the Cabinet approved exempting imported and locally purchased inputs and materials used in semiconductor manufacturing from sales tax, customs duties and other fees.

Al-Jaghbir said the decisions would enhance the competitiveness of Jordan's industrial sector while encouraging investment in the governorates, reflecting the government's commitment to implementing the Economic Modernization Vision, which identifies industry as a key driver of economic growth, exports, investment and job creation.

He said the expanded incentives demonstrate growing government commitment to creating a more attractive industrial investment environment by reducing investment and production costs and extending incentives to additional industrial cities, helping direct investments toward the governorates and promote more balanced economic development.

According to Al-Jaghbir, granting Al Rawda Industrial City the same incentives as Karak and Tafilah, together with extending reduced land prices in Madaba, Salt and Tafilah, sends a positive signal that Jordan remains committed to enhancing its investment climate and improving the competitiveness of its governorates.

He said the measures are expected to encourage new industrial projects, support the expansion of existing investments, increase production capacity and create additional employment opportunities.

Al-Jaghbir added that reducing capital and operating costs would directly improve the competitiveness of Jordanian products in local and international markets while strengthening manufacturers' ability to expand exports amid increasing regional and global competition.

He described the exemption of semiconductor manufacturing inputs from taxes and duties as a strategic measure that aligns with the Economic Modernization Vision's objective of attracting high-value, technology-based industries and promoting innovation-driven manufacturing.

The decision, he said, would also strengthen Jordan's integration into regional and global value chains, particularly in engineering, electronics, electrical industries, medical devices and other sectors that depend on semiconductor technologies.

Al-Jaghbir said the incentives are expected to encourage international manufacturers and suppliers to establish production facilities in Jordan, facilitate technology transfer, increase local value added and support the development of more advanced and globally competitive industries.

He expressed hope that the latest decisions would represent another step in a broader reform agenda aimed at further improving the business environment, strengthening industrial competitiveness, increasing exports and deepening industrial value chains across key sectors.

//Petra// RZ