Jordan PM lauds industrial sector's performance, ability to meet demand during virus crisis

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Monday stressed the importance of the industrial sector, which contributes to a quarter of the Kingdom’s GDP, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported

During a visit to the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC), Khasawneh lauded the sector’s ability to meet the “heavy” demand for food commodities, masks, sanitisers and medicines, adding that the Kingdom managed to export these products to 70 global markets during the COVID-19 crisis.

According to government’s statistics, the daily production of masks amounted to 5.5 million in the Kingdom, 94 million of which were exported, Khasawneh noted.

In regard to medical gowns, production lines managed to manufacture more than 600,000 protective pieces while 850,000 bottles of sanitisers and disinfectants were produced daily.

The government will provide stimulus packages to encourage investment, he added, stressing the importance of increasing and assisting exports and targeting additional global markets.

The prime minister also said the surmounting obstacles facing the private sector is key, as it is considered the government’s “strategic partner”, adding that Royal directives always urge both sectors to communicate and collaborate in a multitude of areas.

Head of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry Fathi Jaghbir noted the significance of devising a comprehensive strategy to attain a state of self-reliance and preserve food and health security, Petra reported.

Providing 250,000 jobs, the industrial sector accounts to 93 per cent of Jordanian exports, which are ultimately distributed to 142 countries around the world, Jaghbir said, adding that reducing production costs is the driving force behind a fast-economic recovery.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hala Zawati also said that the government reduced electricity costs for the industrial sector by 20 per cent, expressing hopes in creating more job opportunities and increasing competition among investors.

Transport Minister Marwan Khitan noted that the ministry is currently seeking to facilitate transportation for industrial workers by conducting surveys, which would expose commuting problems.

The prime minister’s visit is an indicator of the government’s support to the industrial sector, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Al Ali said.