IRBID, Aug. 8 (Petra) -- The northern Jordanian hub of Irbid is finalizing preparations to host the 2026 Irbid Shopping and Entertainment Carnival, scheduled to run from August 11 to 15 at the Permanent Exhibition for Rural Products in King Abdullah II Gardens.
The five-day commercial and cultural showcase will feature approximately 50 exhibition booths representing national manufacturing firms, industrial enterprises, local crafts, and productive kitchens, alongside a comprehensive program of artistic and cultural events.
Held under the patronage of Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah, the initiative is structured as a public-private partnership involving the Reconstruction Foundation of Irbid, the Irbid Directorate of Culture, the Amman and Irbid Chambers of Industry, the Irbid Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Irbid Municipality, and the Bani Obaid Municipality.
The multi-sector collaboration aims to establish a high-impact platform for commercial promotion, national product visibility, and regional tourism stimulation.
Khaldoun Nusair, General Manager of Afaq Group for Organizing Exhibitions and Conferences, stated during a press conference on Saturday that the organizing committee has finalized all operational logistics for the event, which is designed to merge retail, tourism, culture, and heritage into a unified consumer destination.
Nusair emphasized that the exhibition provides a direct-to-consumer marketplace enabling national factories and enterprises to engage prospective buyers, market industrial goods, and drive immediate sales.
Furthermore, the layout dedicates specialized display areas and tables for artisans, home-based businesses, and productive kitchens to market regional foodstuffs and heritage items characteristic of northern Jordan, offering visitors an integrated commercial and cultural experience.
Positioning the event as a strategic economic catalyst rather than a conventional trade fair, Nusair noted that the carnival is projected to invigorate Irbid's commercial activity, drive foot traffic, and deliver measurable revenue gains to local retail markets, restaurants, cafes, and the broader service sector.
Admission to the exhibition and carnival grounds will be free of charge, with doors opening daily to the public starting next Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
//Petra// AA
