Zarqa a ‘pillar’ of Jordanian economy and industry — Shehadeh

AMMAN — State Minister for Investment Affairs Mohannad Shehadeh on Thursday said that Zarqa is one of the “main pillars” of the Jordanian economy and the “nucleus” of its industry.

During a visit to Zarqa Chamber of Industry to launch the governorate’s investment map, Shehadeh stressed the importance of the map in guiding investors and stakeholders to establish their projects.

Shehadeh, who is also the president of the Jordan Investment Commission, said that most of the Kingdom’s industries such as phosphate mining, iron factories, textile and leather and foodstuff started in Zarqa, 22km northeast of Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

He emphasised the importance of benefitting from the city’s economy, noting that 16 investment projects have been registered since the beginning of 2017, at a value of JD82 million.

He explained that Zarqa accounts for 50 per cent of the Jordanian industry in terms of invested capital, labour and production volume.

Geographically, Zarqa is located in the middle of the main Jordanian cities and on an international road that connects Jordan to other countries, Shehadeh noted.

He added that the investment map for Zarqa was drafted in a participatory approach with all the concerned parties in the various sectors of the governorate.

For his part, Zarqa Governor Mohammad Smeiran noted that “despite the existence of industrial facilities, studies show an increase in poverty and joblessness in the governorate”.

The investment map seeks to increase the number of investments in the area, with the aim of contributing to reducing poverty and unemployment.