Amman, Sept. 24 (Petra) --The electrical and electronics sector in the Kingdom has undergone significant and rapid developments over the past five years, bringing it to an advanced and modern stage that surpasses that of most countries in the region, according to Hatem Al-Zoubi, representative of the sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Al-Zoubi said the sector has made notable strides in providing the latest products in the Kingdom, particularly in renewable energy, modern and smart lighting, smart electrical appliances and technology-driven products, supported by the growing experience of traders and importers.
He said the electrical appliance market is highly competitive, driven by diverse import sources and the large number of businesses operating in the sector. More than 3,000 traders operate in Amman and other governorates, providing around 25,000 jobs. He stressed that sector players remain committed to importing the latest appliance models from multiple sources to meet a wide range of consumer needs.
Al-Zoubi described the sector as a key pillar of Jordan’s commercial sector and an important contributor to economic activity, with strong links to other commercial and service activities, particularly housing and construction.
He said demand for electrical appliances and various lighting products has remained moderate since the beginning of the year compared with previous seasons, due to declining consumer purchasing power and intense competition among sector traders.
Despite this, prices of electrical appliances in the local market have remained relatively stable due to the availability of large inventories, despite higher operating costs and expenses, including increased transportation, shipping and insurance costs, delayed shipments and higher prices in countries of origin amid regional tensions.
Al-Zoubi said importers and wholesalers are sometimes forced to sell products at cost to maintain the continuity of supply and ensure that the local market remains stocked with a variety of products. He stressed that goods are available in large quantities and that strong competition among suppliers benefits consumers.
He highlighted traders’ and importers’ efforts to ensure the continued availability and diversity of goods in the local market, stressing the need for greater facilitation of inspection procedures. He also called for consideration of certificates issued in countries of origin, provided they are duly authenticated and comply with the inspection requirements applied by the relevant authorities in Jordan, which he said would help reduce costs.
He also stressed the need to train and qualify personnel involved in import and inspection procedures in line with the continued advancement of electrical appliance technologies and modern and smart lighting solutions. Updating technical expertise, he said, would help facilitate imports, accelerate the flow of goods into the local market and contribute to ensuring the quality of products available to consumers.
Al-Zoubi affirmed that electrical appliances and lighting products entering the Kingdom and reaching the local market meet high standards of quality, efficiency and specifications and are subject to continuous inspection and oversight by the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization.
He noted that there is ongoing cooperation with the organization and the Jordan Customs Department to facilitate the flow of goods into the local market and complete procedures as quickly as possible. The Chamber also coordinates with the ministries responsible for industry and trade, and energy and mineral resources, which has helped resolve and overcome a number of challenges facing the sector.
He said monitoring the sector’s issues and addressing challenges facing traders and importers remains an ongoing priority amid the rapid developments in the sector and changes in products, trading patterns and consumer behavior.
Al-Zoubi stressed that addressing the sector’s issues requires continuous communication with the relevant government institutions, including conveying observations and proposals submitted by traders and importers and working to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing their businesses. Such efforts, he said, contribute to improving the business environment and enhancing market stability.
He also underscored the importance of continuing to develop legislation, regulations and technical standards governing the sector to keep pace with rapid technological developments and the nature of modern products, while maintaining a balance between consumer protection and facilitating commercial activity.
"The Jordan Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in following up on the concerns of commercial sectors and conveying their demands and observations to government authorities through dialogue and coordination, as well as following up on legislation, technical standards, import procedures and other issues affecting commercial activity," Al-Zoubi said.
He noted that sector businesses also play an important role in serving consumers by providing products, warranties, maintenance and after-sales services, while contributing to employment and supporting transportation, warehousing and other services linked to commercial activity. This, he said, underscores the need for a business environment that enables enterprises to remain operational and continue to develop.
Al-Zoubi stressed the importance of continued dialogue between the private sector and government authorities and building on the issues and observations already raised to create a more flexible and stable business environment that supports sector growth and safeguards the interests of traders, consumers and the national economy.
He reiterated that the Jordan Chamber of Commerce plays an important role in following up on the concerns of commercial sectors and conveying their demands and observations to government authorities through dialogue and coordination, particularly on legislation, technical standards, import procedures and other matters related to commercial activity.
//Petra//WH
