Southern Ghor, April 6 (Petra) – Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday visited the Arab Potash Company (APC) and Jordan Bromine Company in the Ghor Al Safi area of the Southern Jordan Valley.

Hassan reviewed the companies' operations and said the two companies have succeeded in increasing production and meeting growing global demand by entering new markets. He praised the "efficient" supply chains despite regional challenges.

He commended the companies for their contributions to corporate social responsibility initiatives in education, healthcare, environmental protection and sustainability.

Chair of the Board of both companies, Shehadeh Abu Hdeib said that production, shipping and export operations are proceeding smoothly. He added that innovative logistical solutions have ensured uninterrupted supply chains for global clients.

Abu Hudeib said that the company recorded its highest-ever production in the first quarter of 2026, adding that the company exported 2.85 million tons of potash last year to 59 countries.

He stated that the company employs 1,514 Jordanian staff, with 48% from local communities.

Abu Hdeib said the Jordan Bromine Company ranks as the world's second-largest bromine producer, exporting 230,000 tons to more than 34 countries in 2025. The company employs 773 Jordanians.

He added that the APC has developed six new products, enabling it to expand into markets across Europe, Brazil and Asia.

Jordan Bromine Company General Manager Samer Asfour, in turn, said the company has qualified more than five local suppliers, increasing the share of local inputs from 20% to 70% over the past five years.

He said that locally sourced materials now include key inputs such as packaging and chlorine.

Asfour said the company has supported local suppliers in obtaining certifications required to meet international export standards.

Some suppliers, he added, have established two factories in Karak and the Southern Jordan Valley, creating jobs for local communities and supporting the company's logistics needs.

He said that the company’s tetrabromide plant is the only facility producing this flame-retardant material, owing to its high quality and competitive production costs.

Asfour said that strengthening local supply chains has been central to the company's sustainability efforts. He added that by the end of the first quarter of 2026, local residents made up approximately 45% of the workforce.

The Prime Minister was briefed on two strategic expansion projects valued at around $2 billion. He called for training and employing local residents to fill new job opportunities created by these projects.

The Arab Potash Company's southern expansion project is valued at $1.1 billion, while the Jordan Bromine Company's expansion is estimated at $800 million. Both projects aim to boost production capacity and expand access to global markets.

//Petra// AK