Amman, Jan. 25 (Petra) – Jordan is doubling down on its industrial sector as a primary engine for recovery, with the government unveiling a JOD 112m ($158m) support package aimed at transforming the country’s manufacturing base from a defensive posture to an export-led growth model.
The allocation, which spans the 2026–2029 period, targets approximately 1,000 industrial facilities. It forms the centerpiece of the second executive program of the Economic Modernization Vision, a long-term roadmap intended to decouple the kingdom’s growth from regional instability by investing in high-value-added sectors.
Industry leaders and economists told Petra that the fresh capital represents a shift in policy toward "active investment" in competitive advantages. By focusing on export capacity and supply chain resilience, Amman hopes to address chronic unemployment and stimulate a sustainable expansion in the private sector.
The program includes the launch of a new phase for the Industry Support and Development Fund, the implementation of a national export strategy, and the digital automation of pharmaceutical and agricultural tracking systems. These moves are designed to align Jordanian products with the stringent technical standards of the European Union and North American markets.
Tamim Qasrawi, vice-president of the Amman Chamber of Industry, noted that the government appears "serious" about translating the Modernization Vision into tangible fiscal support. "Increasing exports and investing in companies that serve foreign markets are essential tools for mitigating unemployment," Mr. Qasrawi said, adding that while exact disbursement criteria are still being finalized, the general trajectory matches the industrial policies of the region’s most successful economies.
The first round of the Industry Support Fund, which deployed JOD 100m over the previous three years, has already begun to filter through the economy. Iyad Abu Haltam, chairman of the East Amman Industrial Investors Association, cited improvements in production line automation and the "green transition" as key early successes. He argued that while the full macroeconomic impact may take time to materialize, the steady growth in industrial exports suggests the strategy is gaining traction.
However, the plan’s success will hinge on execution. Dr. Raad Al-Tal, an economics professor at the University of Jordan, cautioned that the efficacy of the support should be measured by productivity gains rather than total spending. He called for a focus on industries capable of import substitution and warned that governance – ensuring support reaches small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rather than just established players – will be the ultimate litmus test for the program.
//Petra// AA
