Amman, May 12 (Petra) -- The Karak Free Zone has cut warehouse rental fees by 50 percent as part of a broader incentives package aimed at attracting industrial, commercial and service-sector investments to southern Jordan, Chairperson of the Jordan Free and Development Zones Group Sakher Ajlouni said Tuesday.
In a statement, Ajlouni said the incentives package includes a 20 percent reduction on land fees upon actual utilization, lowering warehouse rental rates to JD12.5 from JD25 during the first two years, followed by a 25 percent reduction for the remainder of the contract period.
He added that the package also features a 50 percent reduction in vehicle entry and exit fees, bringing the total fee down to JD4, alongside discounts on service fees and an additional 10 percent incentive for industrial activities.
Ajlouni said the measures are intended to enhance the investment environment and reduce operational costs for investors.
He said the Karak Free Zone, established in 2001 on an area of 143 dunams, offers an integrated investment environment supported by a regulatory and oversight framework designed to attract high-value projects. He highlighted the zone’s strategic location and proximity to the Port of Aqaba, which provides investors with logistical advantages, particularly in vehicle and goods imports.
Director General of the Free Zones Group Abdul Hamid Gharaibeh said the zone features advanced infrastructure and diversified investment spaces at competitive rates. He stated that rental fees for industrial plots start at JD1 per square meter, with the possibility of a 20 percent discount, while commercial plot fees stand at JD1 per square meter for unpaved land and JD1.32 for paved land, with similar incentives available upon investment.
Gharaibeh noted that the zone’s location within the King Hussein Bin Abdullah II Industrial City offers added value for industrial investors by enabling the storage of raw materials within the free zone and their gradual release according to production requirements.
He added that the integrated service sector, which includes customs clearance offices and a comprehensive customs center, contributes to streamlining procedures, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing logistical costs.
Gharaibeh said the Karak Free Zone is steadily positioning itself as a comprehensive investment platform in southern Jordan, leveraging its strategic location, competitive operating costs and simplified procedures to attract local and regional investments.
He noted that the zone signed 17 contracts since the beginning of the year covering land parcels and warehouse spaces totaling 760 square meters, reflecting growing investor demand and confidence in the investment climate.
//Petra// AJ
