‘Made in Jordan’ festival opens August 20

AMMAN — Seeking to encourage citizens to use local products, industrialists and traders will come together towards the end of this month to showcase “the best” from Jordanian industries and raise awareness about the country’s “vibrant” industrial sector.

They will demonstrate products from a variety of sectors and display unique handicrafts at the “Made in Jordan” festival between August 20 and 28 at Expo Land on the airport road.

Organisers voiced hope Sunday that the festival — which will feature 400 companies in the fields of industry, commerce and services — will help revive the country’s industrial sector, which suffered losses and is facing several challenges due to the closure of borders with Syria and Iraq.

“The event comes at a very important time when industries in Jordan are facing serious challenges… it is a platform to showcase the success of local industries, whose products are sold in more than 120 countries,” Fathi Al Jaghbir, member of the board of directors of the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI), said at a press conference.

“It provides an opportunity for Jordanians to see how distinguished their industries and products are and start using them to support the sector,” added Jaghbir. 

The industrial sector’s annual contribution to the gross domestic product is estimated at 25 per cent.

Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) President Issa Murad stressed the significance of the event, saying this is the time when Jordanians need to support their local industries, expressing hope that the event will be held annually.

According to Tourism Ministry Secretary General Issa Gammoh, the event will feature the participation of several NGOs and individuals in the handicrafts industry, where about 20,000 Jordanians have businesses.

“This industry suffered a major setback as a result of the decline in the number of tourists coming to Jordan due to the regional conditions. We hope the event will help promote this industry among Jordanians,” said Gammoh.

The event is scheduled to include several activities ranging from the “Made in Jordan” exhibition to a book fair, the “Governorates village”, the “Arts street”, “Jordan Theatre”, a “Restaurants’ Zone” and a “Kids’ Zone”, as well as a musical show every night by Jordanian singers.

The festival, to open from 5pm until midnight, is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors daily, according to organisers, which include the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Jordan Chamber of Commerce, the ACI and the ACC.