Amman, June 28 (Petra) – The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply on Sunday launched the "Leadership in Industry" programme, implemented through the Industrial Development and Support Fund with €35 million in German government funding.

The programme is aimed to support 370 micro, small and medium-sized industrial enterprises, enhance competitiveness, boost exports and create jobs. It offers non-refundable grants of up to JD25,000 for micro-enterprises, JD50,000 for small enterprises and JD100,000 for medium-sized enterprises.

It allocates €10 million to support women-led businesses and promote women's economic participation through technical and logistical assistance.

The Fund will cover up to 70 per cent of eligible project costs, rising to 80 per cent for businesses owned or managed by women or those that create employment opportunities for women.

Speaking at the launch, Ministry Secretary-General Dana Zoubi said the programme supports the Economic Modernisation Vision and the Industrial Policy 2024-2028, aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Jordanian industry and increasing its contribution to economic growth.

Zoubi said the industrial sector accounts for about one-quarter of the national economy and contributed nearly 45 per cent of Jordan's economic growth last year.

She added that the Industrial Development and Support Fund has received more than 2,500 applications, benefiting 635 companies whose sales increased by more than 30 per cent and exports by around 40 per cent, while helping create more than 4,100 jobs.

Zoubi revealed preliminary understandings with the World Bank to secure around JD60 million in additional funding for the period 2027-2029 to expand industrial support programmes.

Jordan Chamber of Industry Vice President Mohammad Jitan said more than 90 per cent of the Kingdom's industrial establishments are small and medium-sized enterprises that require continued financial support to expand and improve competitiveness.

He said Fund programmes have helped companies overcome financing and operating cost challenges while increasing productivity and exports.

World Bank representative Mohammad Abdel-Qader said the initiative is the result of nearly three years of cooperation between Jordan, Germany and the World Bank, with a focus on supporting small businesses, promoting development in the governorates and increasing women's participation in the industrial workforce.

German Development Bank office director Matthias Schmidt-Rosen said support for Jordan's industrial sector remains a cornerstone of cooperation with the government, with continued efforts to develop financing programmes that promote competitiveness, economic growth and job creation. //Petra// AK