Amman, Sept. 15 (Petra) -- The Kingdom is seeking to strengthen economic development across its governorates by expanding the role of industrial, development and free zones in attracting investment, supporting productive activity and creating jobs.

Economic officials told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that these zones have developed beyond serving as locations for investment projects and now provide a range of infrastructure, services and incentives aimed at supporting industrial activity, increasing exports and contributing to local economic development.

They stressed the need to raise occupancy levels in some of the newer zones, attract investments with higher added value and export potential, and strengthen links with the national economy by increasing the use of locally produced inputs and domestic supply chains.

During a visit to the Ministry of Investment and a meeting of the Investment Council, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said developmental, industrial and free zones should be viewed as development tools that support the national economy, contribute to development in the governorates and create employment opportunities for local communities.

Sakhr Al-Ajlouni, Chairman of the Board of the Jordan Free and Development Zones Group, said free and development zones have become an important part of Jordan’s investment and economic activity through their contribution to trade, investment and employment.

He said trade through the free zones reached approximately JD6.5 billion in 2025, comprising JD3.4 billion in exports and JD3.1 billion in imports. The number of investment agreements reached about 2,800.

According to Al-Ajlouni, public free zones provide around 15,000 direct jobs, while private free zones provide approximately 10,000. They also support indirect employment in activities including transportation, customs clearance, banking, insurance, foreign exchange, trade and other services.

He said investment in the Dead Sea Development Zone reached about JD995.7 million, while investment in the Al-Souan Development Zone stood at approximately JD16.3 million. More than 220 investment opportunities have been developed in the two areas.

Existing projects and investments in the development zones have generated around 3,678 direct jobs and supported activity in tourism, hospitality, services, transportation and trade. Al-Ajlouni also noted that the Ajloun Cable Car has received more than 1.5 million visitors since it began operating, contributing to economic activity in the governorate and surrounding areas.

He said the group is continuing to develop the development zones through infrastructure and public-facility projects, as well as tourism and investment sites in the Dead Sea and Ajloun, with the aim of attracting further investment.

The group is also planning to expand geographically, including through the establishment of a new free zone at the dry port in the Mafraq Development Zone and the expansion of the Al-Muwaqqar Free Zone. Work is also continuing on digital transformation, electronic services and operational efficiency.

Al-Ajlouni said reconstruction needs in Syria and Iraq, together with changes in regional supply chains, could provide opportunities for Jordan to strengthen its position in logistics and industry, particularly through free zones connected to transit and cross-border trade.

He also identified the free zone at Queen Alia International Airport as an investment opportunity for specialized industries, including semiconductor-related activities, as well as transit, re-export and regional logistics services.

Al-Ajlouni said the Al-Karamah Free Zone also has potential to attract fertilizer-related industries because of its proximity to the Risha field. He added that a proposed ammonia and urea production project, in cooperation with Nitrogen Jordan Fertilizers, could provide at least 2,000 jobs if implemented.

Meanwhile, Oday Obeidat, Director General of the Jordan Industrial Estates Company, said the expansion of industrial estates across the Kingdom has contributed to investment and economic activity in the governorates.

He said the industrial estates provide investors with industrial facilities, land and infrastructure, in addition to services and incentives intended to support the establishment, expansion and continued operation of industrial projects.

Obeidat said the company’s nine industrial estates now host 1,000 industrial companies, with total investments exceeding JD3 billion and around 62,000 jobs.

He said the company’s next phase will involve a change in the way industrial estates operate, as it moves from a real estate development approach toward developing integrated industrial systems.

The company will focus on attracting investments with higher added value, particularly in technology, food, pharmaceutical and engineering industries, while also supporting export-oriented industries and their access to regional and international markets.

Obeidat said the industrial estates face challenges including regional competition for investment, higher energy, transportation and financing costs, and the need for further improvements in infrastructure and logistics services.

At the same time, he pointed to opportunities arising from Jordan’s strategic location, trade agreements, investment incentives and Jordanian human resources.

He said the company’s focus in the coming period would extend beyond attracting investors to ensuring the sustainability and expansion of their investments, increasing exports and creating additional jobs. The aim is for Jordan’s industrial, development and free zones to become modern, effective engines of economic growth and development and key drivers of the national economy.

//Petra//WH