Amman, Aug. 12 (Petra) – The national team for empowering women-owned enterprises to access economic opportunities held its regular meeting on Wednesday, hosted by the Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women, with the participation of businesswomen and representatives of the public and private sectors.
The meeting reviewed key achievements and initiatives implemented by the team’s working groups since the beginning of the year, as well as plans for the next phase, aimed at strengthening coordination and supporting women-owned and women-led enterprises in accessing growth opportunities and markets.
Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply Secretary-General Dana Zoubi, who chaired the meeting, stressed the importance of continued cooperation to support women entrepreneurs, noting that the meeting marked the team’s second visit conducted in cooperation with a partner organization to strengthen coordination among national stakeholders.
She reviewed the ministry’s main efforts since the beginning of the year, including the preparation of final drafts of the food, engineering, and chemical industries strategies under the 2024–2028 Industrial Policy and completion of the final draft of the 2026–2029 National Export Strategy. The 2026–2029 National E-Commerce Strategy remains under preparation.
On industrial sector support, Zoubi said 635 companies benefited from Industry Support and Development Fund programs worth approximately JD65 million, including 173 women-owned or women-led companies that received around JD21 million. The programs generated about 4,500 new jobs for Jordanians, including more than 1,700 for women.
She also referred to the €35 million "Entrepreneurship in Industry" program, which targets 370 micro, small, and medium-sized industrial enterprises. The grant rate rises to 80 percent for enterprises owned or managed by women or employing women, while €10 million has been allocated to women-owned or women-led businesses.
Zoubi also pointed to the expected impact of the reciprocal trade agreement with the United States, particularly its provision for full tariff exemptions on Jordanian exports of apparel, textiles, leather, and other products entering the U.S. market.
Regarding initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs, 25 women-owned and/or women-led companies benefited from an export capacity-building program, while 11 service companies participated in an export promotion program. Four of those companies have applied the training outcomes and are preparing to export to new markets.
A further 42 women-owned or women-led enterprises benefited from a Jordan Valley products support project, and 42 export-readiness assessments were prepared. Five women-owned companies also participated in the FHA exhibition in Singapore, generating more than 60 business contacts and over 12,000 views through the exhibition platform.
In the financial field, 18 women-owned enterprises benefited from the "Improve Your Business" financial planning and management program, while e-commerce and digital marketing solutions are being developed for nine companies across various sectors.
The meeting also reviewed programs planned for the next phase, including training for women-owned companies in innovation and sustainability, as well as financial planning and management. It also discussed implementing the "How to Export" program in cooperation with the GIZ-IPSD project and Jordan Exports, with the aim of improving the export readiness of 20 women-owned companies and expanding their access to international markets.
Zoubi said the progress made provides a basis for further support for women-owned enterprises, stressing the importance of coordination between national policies and private-sector partnerships to support sustainable economic growth.
//Petra// AO
