A general view of the skyline in Amman, Jordan. File/Reuters
According to recent trade statistics reported by Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) website on Saturday, and carried by Jordan News Agency (Petra), the volume of the two countries’ trade balance reached about 448 million riyals ($123 million) during the first half of the current year, compared to 430 million riyals ($118.1 million) against the corresponding period of last year.
Jordan exports to Qatar several diverse goods, especially consumer items, primarily fresh and processed food materials and products, vegetables, fruits, meat, dates, dairy products, poultry, grains, desserts, and a wide range of consumer products.
Meanwhile, Qatari exports to Jordan include various chemical materials, primarily automobile oils, sulfonic acid, lutein, aluminium molds, polyethylene, iron rods, chemical fertilizers of various types and uses, plastic bags, automobile engine oils, organic fertilizer, and medical solutions.
The mutual trade balance has been witnessing “significant” growth for several years, supported by the continued rise in Qatar’s imports of Jordanian food and consumer materials and products, which recorded a particularly “large” jump during the past two years.
Meanwhile, exports of Jordan’s pharmaceutical industries and medical supplies sector increased by 3.8% during the January-June period of this year, compared to the same period last year, despite the region’s “exceptional” circumstances and their impact on the flow of goods.
In a statement to Jordan News Agency (Petra), the sector’s representative in Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), Dr. Fadi Atrash, said its exports, with its three sub-sectors (human drugs or veterinary medicines, pesticides, and medical supplies), surged to about JD370 million during the first half of this year, compared to JD356 million for the same period in 2023.