RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/G/325  
13 October 2015  
(15-5337)  Page: 1/10  
Trade Policy Review Body  Original: English  
 
 TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
REPORT BY 
JORDAN  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Jordan 
is attached. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Trad e Policy Review Body on Jordan. WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  Contents 
 
1   INTROD UCTION  .......................................................................................................... 3  
1.1   Overview .................................................................................................................. 3  
1.2   Jordan Vision 2025 .................................................................................................... 3  
2   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................................... 4  
2.1   Economic growth and environment ............................................................................... 4  
2.2   Trade and regi onal challenges ..................................................................................... 4  
2.3   Investment and investment policy ................................................................................ 5  
3   SECTOR DE VELOPMENT ............................................................................................... 6  
3.1   Agriculture ............................................................................................................. .. 6 
3.2   Natural resources,  mining and energy .......................................................................... 6  
3.3   Industri al sect or ....................................................................................................... . 6 
3.4   Services ................................................................................................................ ... 7 
4   FOREIGN TR ADE POLICY ............................................................................................. 8  
4.1   Jordan and WTO ........................................................................................................ 8  
4.2   Doha Developm ent Agenda (DDA) ............................................................................... 9  
4.3   Regional and bilatera l trade libera lisation ...................................................................... 9  
5   TECHNICAL ASSI STANCE NEEDS ................................................................................. 9  
6   CONCLUDING  REMARKS ............................................................................................ 10  
 WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1  Overview 1.1.  The government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan continued to adopt a trade policy based 
on economic openness despite the world economic crisis and regional challenges, it strongly 
believes that such policy fosters economic development, raises its economy's competitiveness and 
supports a better business environment. The economy of Jordan has reaped
 the benefits of the 
global economic integration, and materialized in achieving an average annual real GDP growth rate 
of 5% in the last decade. 
1.2.  Jordan's economy is mainly dependent on exports, tourism, and overseas Jordanian 
employees' remittances. Jordan is blessed with a big number of academic, skilled and professional 
people. Due to its solid macroeconomic fundamentals and financial performance, Jordan's banking 
sector continue to have a positive influence on the economy and keeps the credit facilities, assets, 
capital adequacy and liquidity ratio at healthy levels. The political stability allows Jordan to serve as a regional entry point for incoming and outgoing trade and business.
 
1.3.   Since 2008, Jordan pursued its ambitious goals of macroeconomic stability, liberalize trade, enhance the performance of the private sector and reform government institutions. Thus, Jordan continues to score high on trade openness indica tors ranking 38th overall and 5th in the MENA 
region as seen at the Heritage Foundations' Index of Economic Freedom.  
1.4.  The comprehensive political, social and economic reform agenda continued to be 
implemented, despite the several adverse external shocks that hit the global economy at the end 
of 2008, which casted its light on the whole region, in addition to the instability in the Middle East 
and conflicts escalating in Syria and Iraq. 
1.5.  Jordan successfully made remarkable human  development achievements, maintained political 
and economic stability and thus offering a great opportunity for foreign and domestic investment. 
Indeed the Human Development Index ranks Jordan as 77th worldwide while classifying the 
country in the group of countries with a high human development.  
1.2  Jordan Vision 2025  
1.6.  To address the social and economic challenges facing Jordan as a result of the ongoing 
instability in the region, the Government has put forward a new approach to stimulate economic growth and social inclusiveness, the "Jordan 2025 - National Vision and Strategy". This Economic 
Blueprint, formally launched in May 2015, reaffirms the Jordan's determination to develop the 
national economy, lead the path in achieving su stainable growth and enhancing economic reforms. 
Based on 20 developmental priorities, it crafts a pa th for the future and determines the integrated 
economic and social framework that will govern  the economic and soci al policies based on 
providing opportunities for all. Its main cornerstones are: promoting the rule of law and equal 
opportunities, increasing participatory policy making, achieving fiscal sustainability and the strengthening of institutions. 
1.7.  The Jordan 2025 vision is an outcome of major consultative and collaborative efforts among 
all stakeholders. Citizens, civil society organization, political parties and business associations were provided with the opportunity to contribute to the document. It reflects an honest and clear assessment of Jordan's current situation, outlines a vision with specific goals to be achieved and 
provides a roadmap to achieve the targets. It also incorporated the previous efforts and initiatives 
under one umbrella; the National Agenda, the National Employment Strategy, the Poverty Reduction Strategy and all previous sectoral strategies. 
1.8.  Many important structural reforms and prog rammatic improvements were identified, selected 
and prioritized based on seven pillars which includes: developing human resources, social development, financial policies, trade and in dustry, business and investment environment, 
infrastructure decentralisation and community development and legislation and justice. WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  2  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  
2.1  Economic growth and environment 2.1.  Prudent macroeconomic policies allowed Jord an to achieve respectable GDP growth averaging 
3.74% over the past 6 years. Overall GDP grew from US$21.97 billion to US$35.83 billion at 
current market prices. However, the unprecedent ed regional volatility, continuing negative 
consequences of the global financial crisis greatly affected the Jordanian economy, in addition to the sharp increases in world oil prices during th e period 2010-14 and the decrease of the gas flow 
from Egypt. The GDP has recorded a slowdown of  economic growth rate between 2.3% and 2.8% 
in the period 2011 to 2013 at current prices; this registered growth rate is modest compared to that achieved during the period (2000-08), which amounted to an average of about 6.6% per annum. GDP per capita grew by 42.8% since th e last review from US$3,798 in 2008 to US$5,375 
in 2014. The unemployment rate decreased from 12.7% in 2008 to 11.9% in 2014. 
2.2.  Jordan has completed its national economic  reform program requirements with the IMF which 
started three years ago, and implemented seve ral macroeconomic policies that included 
undertaking financial and sectoral reforms that helped in improving Jordan's economy and 
contributed to stabilizing the economy during a series of severe external shocks. In a bid to finance its increasing expenses and budget deficit, the government adopted austerity measures in 
2011 and 2012 respectively in terms of lifting fuel subsidies and freezing public recruitment. 
Nonetheless, the deficit has increased by 15.4% in the period 2008-13 and represented 8.2 % of GDP in 2013 due to the high bill of imported energy (oil and gas). Continued efforts were taken to decrease the budget deficit, which is considered as a huge challenge to the government, by 
introducing good governance, tax reforms and lowe ring government spending, as well as energy 
and water sector reform policies. Thus, the budget deficit decreased in 2014 to reach 7.1 % of GDP and public debt is expected to stabilise this year and is anticipated to start declining in 2016.  
2.3.  Monetary policy is characterized by the Jordan Dinar being pegged to the U.S. Dollar to 
maintain monetary confidence and to enhance the competitiveness of Jordanian exports. The Central Bank of Jordan adopted an expansionary monetary policy in 2014 and early 2015. It was 
able to maintain and strengthen international reserves to an adequate level in currency and gold; 
totalling US$17.5 billion in 2014, which in turn ha s lately allowed the Central Bank to reduce 
interest rates to stimulate growth. The prudent reaction against the financial crisis in the banking sector in Jordan, and the comprehensive Legal framework and the compliance with international 
standards, helped the country to curb the crisis internally.  
2.4.  The integration between the fiscal and monetary policies have had a direct effect on lowering 
inflation from a relatively high peak of 13.9% in  2008 to 2.9% in 2014, its lowest level in over a 
decade. In 2015, the decrease in the crude oil prices would further decline inflation and thus will 
stimulate economic activities and growth.  
2.2  Trade and regional challenges 
2.5.  National exports have increased by 17% since 2008 to reach US$7.3 billion in 2014. On the 
other hand, the trade deficit has significantly increased from US$9.2 billion in 2008 to reach US$14.2 billion in 2014. This is due to the high incr ease in oil prices and food imports. In 2014, 
Jordan imported more than 2.1 million tons of wheat and barley to serve the rising domestic 
consumption demand, which is closely linked to the continuing influx of Syrian refugees. The 
divergence between imports and exports is expected to slightly narrow in 2015 as a result of the decrease in the crude oil prices. 
2.6.  The main exported commodities were; apparel, fertilizers, pharmaceutical products, edible 
vegetables, potash and phosphates, inorganic chemic als, plastics and plastic articles, followed by 
electrical and electronic equipment and machinery as well as live animals. 
2.7.  Jordan imports around 90% of its food, including animal feeds. Jordan imported goods for a 
total value of US$22.8 billion in 2014, the main imported commodities were crude oil and its by-products which constitutes 30% of total imports, machinery, vehicles, motorcycles, electrical appliances, iron and iron products, and plastic.  WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  2.8.  Jordan's trade with the Arab countries consti tutes around 50% of its total external trade. On 
the import side, the EU is the first destination for imports, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia, with US$4.5 billion of imports in 2014. China, USA, India, and the UAE follow with over US$1 billion imports. Main export destinations for Jordanian products are the USA (US$1.32 
billion), Iraq (US$1.28 billion), Saudi Arabia (US$1.04 billion and India (US$650 million). 
2.9.  The instability in the region as a result of the unrest in the region had severe impacts on the 
trade performance of Jordan, and led to the loss of  many of the traditional markets for Jordanian 
exports. In the first half of 2015, the statistica l data shows that the total exports in value, 
decreased by 8.2 .% in comparison with the same period of 2014. Meanwhile, the trade deficit 
decreased by 18.6% compared with the same peri od of 2014 due to the decrease in the imports, 
as a result of the decrease of the value of the crude oil and its products imports. 
2.10.  The Jordanian-Syrian trade amounted to around 10% of Jordan's total trade with Arab 
countries. The partial followed by the 2015 comp lete closure of the border with Syria had a 
significant negative impact on the Jordanian economy by virtue of geographical location. Exports 
to Syria declined by 39.1% in the first half of 2015 compared with the same period of 2014.  
2.11.  Additionally aggravating the situation, Syri a was the privileged gateway for Jordan's exports 
to other strategic markets such as Lebanon, Turk ey and the EU. Because of the ongoing crisis in 
Syria, transportation costs drastically increased on Jordan's industry for both imports and exports 
due to longer alternative transportation modes and routes. In many cases, no more viable transportation alternatives exist beside sea- and airfreight. 
2.12.  Exports to Iraq declined by 32.1% in the first half of 2015 in comparison with the same 
period of 2014 due to the deteriorating security  conditions in the country. The most recent 
development was the closure of the borders with Ir aq in July 2015 leading to the option of more 
costly routes through Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Government also is studying the maritime 
option for Jordanian exports or transit goods throug h Aqaba Port to Iraq's Um Qasr Port. Jordanian 
exports are expected to be negatively affected by approximately US$100 million monthly. 
2.3  Investment and investment policy 
2.13.  Foreign Direct Investment continued to fl ow into Jordan, growing from US$1.47 billion in 
2011 to US$1.76 billion in 2014.The Central Bank of Jordan implemented several rate cuts aiming at fostering investment. Many lucrative sectors for investment are; healthcare services, tourism, banking, mining, information technology, clean technology and pharmaceuticals sectors. 
2.14.  Jordan enacted the revised Investment law in 2014. The new law articulates clear 
definitions of tax exemptions and investors' rights. It also introduces a one-stop shop investment window in an aim to simplify economic projects licensing procedures and stimulating the 
Development and Free zones.  
2.15.  The new law gives the Jordan Investment Commission (JIC) the power and authority 
required to centralize and expedite all investment related procedures. The JIC is able to tailor 
specific geographic areas in the Kingdom for companies interested in establishing and managing 
sector-specific special economic zones, thus co ntributing to regional economic development. 
2.16.  The law provides incentives for the following sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, 
hospitality, healthcare, entertainment cities, research centers, media production, convention 
centres and events, transport, distribution and/or extraction of water, gas and oil derivatives using 
pipelines, air transport, sea transport and railways. 
2.17.  The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Law was also recently enacted reflecting the continuous 
efforts to introduce the concept of competitive dialogue between the Public and the Private 
sectors. To ensure that investment environment is sustainable and thus increasing Jordan's participation in the international market, the PPP law aims at attracting the private sector to 
partner with the government in implementing infrastructure and development projects and 
promoting development of the private sector in the country. It will also enhance the introduction of 
technology and innovation by private sector an d will provide better public services through 
improved operational efficiency.  WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  2.18.  Jordan offers many attractive investment opportunities and present an ideal gateway to 
access major international markets. Several investment opportunities and incentives packages have been granted in the last few years in the special economic zones, which provide lucrative incentives for foreign investment, including income tax rates of only 5%, free repatriation of 
capital, profits and salaries.  
3  SECTOR DEVELOPMENT 3.1  Agriculture 
3.1.  Despite chronic shortage of water, agricultur e is of great importance for Jordan, granting jobs 
for many farmers and workforce, and amounts to about 3% of the GDP Water is a big challenge 
for the agriculture sector and to the whole economy in general. Jordan depends on the scarce rainfalls, which aliment dams that provide a certain water security, and on the ground water for 
the remaining needs. 
3.2.  The Jordan valley is characterized by its uni que climate. It is considered as the food basket 
for Jordan due to the year-round agricultural clim ate, fertile soils, higher winter rainfall and 
extensive summer irrigation. Vegetables, cut flowers,  herbs are the main products in the Valley for 
the off season. Olive trees are grown in the highla nds which receive the highest rainfall in Jordan. 
3.3.  Agricultural exports grew from US$849 million in 2008 reaching US$1,495 million in 2014. 
The main agricultural products exported to the region include tomatoes and cucumbers. Jordan is 
among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of producing and exporting tomatoes. It is also 
the 7
th producer worldwide of excellent olive oil. 
3.2  Natural resources, mining and energy 
3.4.  Jordan possesses important natural resour ces that contribute 2.3% of the GDP. Main 
exploited minerals are potashes and phosphates. Other available minerals are; copper, iron and 
non-metallic minerals as clay and its different derivatives, such as kaolin, pure limestone and 
silica. Gypsum and construction materials are prod uced by various quarries in various regions of 
the Kingdom. Quarries also produce building stone,  travertine, marble and granite slabs. The Dead 
Sea is rich in many minerals and natural resources such as salts and mud, which are used in the 
production of medical and cosmetic products. 
3.5.  Jordan is also rich in oil shale and renewa ble energy resources that have not been exploited 
on a commercial scale yet. It has the 4th largest oil shale resources in the world with an estimated 30 billion barrels of oil in its oil shale deposits . Moreover, the government encourages the private 
sector investment in the development of the energy  sector, as part of the energy master plan for 
the year 2020, that includes electricity, natural ga s, oil shale, and renewable energy industries. In 
the same context, the government issued the "Ren ewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Law" in 
2010, which aims at laying the foundation and fostering investments in this vital sector.  
3.6.  Recognizing the far reaching needs of ener gy for carrying out an ambitious economic growth 
and sustainable development and to ensure energy  security, Jordan successfully launched liquefied 
natural gas terminal in Aqaba Port in line with international standards. 
3.3  Industrial sector 3.7.  The industrial sector is a main pillar of  the Jordanian economy contributing to almost a 
quarter of the GDP, it also employs more than 250 thousand direct jobs accounting for over 18% 
of the total labor force in Jordan in more than 17 thousand industrial establishments and 
accounting for over 65% of foreign direct investments in the last decade. The largest industrial sectors are
 pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments manufacturing, chemicals, cosmetics, 
fertilizers, and processed agro-food. The industrial  sector exports amount to around 90% of the 
total exported goods. 
3.8.  The pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest–growing among country's manufacturing 
industries, it is mainly producing generics, working under the country's strict IPR rules and 
providing a high share of domestic value added. It is also particularly export intensive, exporting WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  70-80% of its production, making Jordan the larg est exporter of pharmaceuticals in the Arab 
World. 
3.9.  The processed agro-food sector is vital to the national food security and is directly integrated 
with other economic sectors especially agriculture sector which increases the added value. This 
sector has a vast spectrum of products including olive oil, processed meat, pasta, juices, spices, 
salt, chocolate, dairy products, sweets, cereals, biscuits and tobacco, and contributes to 10% of 
industrial products exports'. 
3.10.  The textiles and garments sector is an ex port oriented sector and contributes more than 
US$1 billion a year in exports amounting to over 20%  of total exports. This sector benefited most 
from the free trade agreements between Jordan and its trading partners. 
3.11.  The chemicals and cosmetics sector has a variety of products which are used in other 
industries and sectors (i.e. construction sector) both as a raw material and intermediate products. 
It is one of the leading exporting sectors, reaching major international markets, these products include paints, fertilizers, pesticides, and organic, non-organic chemicals, dead sea products and 
personal care products.  
3.12.  The furniture and wood products sector is a promising sector that has the biggest ratio of 
small and micro enterprises, which is capable to match up international designs and ideas to 
satisfy a wide range of tastes of customers especially in GCC courtiers. 
3.13.   The industrial sector capitalizes on a natural resources base (principally in the form of 
phosphate reserves and minerals extracted from  the dead sea), as well as and the Kingdom's 
location at the crossroads of the Middle East and Europe, and the recent implementation of several 
free trade agreements, all factor into boosting exports to these new markets. Jordan also has a 
well-educated work force., The Kingdom's only port is on its southern Red Sea coastline. It provides a good shipping access for key global export markets. 
3.14.  The persistence of oil price fluctuations an d the rising of world commodity prices, especially 
raw materials, have had consequential impact on the production cost of Jordan's industry and depressingly affected Jordan's exports competitiv eness. This also impacted the small and medium 
size enterprises that suffered from the fierce comp etition due to trade liberalization and due to the 
financial crisis. 
3.15.  These implications of persisting severe challenges, in addition to the instability of the region 
and the closure of the borders, led the government  to submit a written request to WTO in 2014 to 
for a waiver of extending the phase-out period of the export subsidy program beyond the year 
2015. The requested waiver is limited in scope, it aims at providing the SMEs in Jordan the opportunity to deal with the unprecedented diffi cult situation, and the regional political and 
economic challenges. 
3.4  Services  3.16.  The Jordanian economy is service-oriented in terms of value added and employment. The 
services sector contributes around 67% of GD P and employs two thirds of the labor force. 
3.17.  Transportation and travel are major contributors to the economy. Queen Alia International 
Airport (QAIA) received over 7 million passengers during 2014, a 9% increase over 2013. Tourism is a vital resource of income for the economy. Jordan is considered as one of the top in MENA 
countries with the unspoiled natural locations. Despite the regional development, Jordan witnessed 
a slight decline in the number of foreign incomers  by 4.5%. The tourism sector is still attracting 
huge investments, big projects are underway. 
3.18.  Given its relative political stability and its diverse range of tourism offerings, it is likely that 
the Kingdom will again become an established tourist destination in the Middle East, especially offering high quality and adequate medical serv ices and treatment. Medical tourism generated 
more than US$1.41 billion in 2014. These revenue s include patients' expenditure on medical 
procedures, accommodations, transportation and other expenses. WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  3.19.  The medical and health care sector in Jordan is well-known, both regionally and 
internationally, for its quality and the modernization of hospitals and medical centres, and the availability of some of the most important spec ialists in the world in the treatment of various 
diseases. Jordan enjoys a competitive cost structure, which offers medical services companies a 
low-risk platform to serve the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market, as well as providing 
them with significant research and laboratory capabilities. 
3.20.  The Government has continued revising polices to execute its commitment to the ICT 
sector. As a provider of talent and skilled professi onals, Jordan is witnessing significant growth in 
ICT in its liberal market. The sector generates income representing approximately 14% of the 
country's GDP. Amman is considered as the 10th best place to start a technology company in the world. Moreover the country also enjoys on-t he-ground presence of global companies.  
3.21.  The construction and engineering in Jordan is  one of the most active sectors, and a catalyst 
for several other sectors. It grew considerably in 2013 and 2014 and accounts for 4.5% of GDP in 2014. Jordan is one of the world's top countries in  terms of skilled engineering graduates, It has 
120,000 engineers in Jordan and 40,000 working abroad.  
4  FOREIGN TRADE POLICY 4.1  Jordan and WTO  
4.1.  Jordan joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 11 April 2000, becoming the 
136
th member of the organization. Jordan agreed to a broad range of obligations in areas such as 
tariff reductions, non-tariff barriers to trade, services liberalisation, agriculture, and transparency. 
4.2.  It conducted its first trade policy review in 2008. Since then, Jordan continued to maintain its 
commitments and actively participate in the Doha Development agenda negotiations. Jordan has 
low average tariffs, with single- or two-digit rates, ad valorem –only duties with some exceptions 
where specific duties apply, and nearly 100% tariff bindings. Jordan was granted staging and 
product-exclusion rights. Thus, Jordan obtained a te n-year transition period for implementing tariff 
reduction commitments which is fully achieved. On imports of tobacco and alcohol, Jordan opted to impose higher tariffs between 150% and 200%. Thus, tobacco and alcohol maintained high tariff 
peaks. As Jordan joined also the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA), those products 
enjoy zero tariffs upon importation in Jordan. Those commitments were already contained in the accession protocol and implemented upon accession. 
4.3.  The Customs Law and the related agency, Jo rdan Customs Department, are the main pivotal 
point concerned with goods trading, import and export. The Customs Department upgraded its 
customs facilities and automated some of the paper-based customs system. It also adopted many concepts and practices of trade facilitation fo r a speedier flow of goods across borders. For 
example, the department provides green-lan e treatment to companies through expedited 
shipments free of or with de-minimis  inspections upon arrival at ports of entry (Golden List 
program). Jordan's Customs leads in the Middle East in the single window implementation. 
Customs related laws, regulations, administrative rules, information on customs processes, 
conditions for importation, charges applicable under customs law, tariff rates, tariff classification opinions, and bilateral and regional trade agreements are all available in a transparent manner to operators. Furthermore, The Customs Department  provides advance rulings based on requests 
from traders who seek clarification on specific matters, such as classification and applicable tariff 
rates. 
4.4.  Jordan also made extensive liberalization undertakings under the General Agreement on 
Trade in Services (GATS); these undertakings would open some sectors that were previously 
closed or were restricted with regard to fo reign investment and participation. Jordan has 
undertaken horizontal commitments with respect to the cross-border movement of individuals and 
commercial presence covering all types of services. Jordan has made specific commitments in 11 
major service sectors and 128 subsectors and activities in all four modes of supply.  WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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  4.2  Doha Development Agenda (DDA) 
4.5.  Jordan is a strong believer in the multilateral trading system and is committed to contribute 
towards the strengthening of a free and fair global trade in close cooperation with WTO members.  
4.6.  Since its accession to the World Trade Organization in the year 2000, Jordan has taken 
significant steps in fulfilling its commitments. During the DDA, Jordan joined the group of 
Recently-Acceded Member (RAM). In this contex t, Jordan supports the RAMs Group position 
referring to the exceptionally significant and ex tensive commitments made by the group members 
upon accession as compared to those made by members that joined the WTO during previous 
rounds of negotiations and reflecting the group's concerns on the current workflow of the negotiations within the DDA.  
4.7.  On a parallel track, Jordan falls under th e small and vulnerable economies (SVEs) and as a 
Net Food Importer Developing Country calls for additional flexibilities within the agriculture 
negotiations to assure food security elements for SVEs. As previously stated, Jordan has to import approximately 90% of its needs in food including animal feeds. 
4.8.  Moreover, the successful implementation of  the Trade Facilitation Agreements is one of 
Jordan's priorities to ensure the harmonization of legislation and improve the efficiency of supply chain logistics as well as the development and technical adjustment requirements. On the other 
hand, Jordan already implemented several parts of the Bali Agreement. Steady increase in trade, 
greater export diversification, enhanced foreign investment and improved national competitiveness are a few of the many expected gains of this agreement.  
4.9.  Jordan looks forward to a balanced outcome in services negotiations under the four modes of 
supply and emphasizes the needs to harmonize effe ctive disciplines on domestic regulations that 
allow better or free access to markets. Jordan looks forward to a successful conclusion of the Doha Round.  
4.3  Regional and bilateral trade liberalisation 
4.10.  In line with the WTO commitments and in complementarity to the efforts in the WTO, 
Jordan is also engaged into strengthening its bilateral ties with several countries and economic 
blocs. Jordan has free trade agreements with GAFTA U.S., EU, Canada, Turkey, Singapore, EFTA 
states. It is also part of the Agadir Agreement between Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. Furthermore, Jordan is negotiating an FTA with Mexico. 
4.11.  On 1 March 2011, the Turkey - Jordan FTA came into force and thus initiated a gradual 
reduction of tariffs for Turkish products imported into Jordan, while Turkey grants immediate 
market access to Jordanian products. On 1 October 2012, the Agreement between Canada and Jordan came into effect, thus further expanding Jordan's access towards the North American 
continent. In this context, Jordan also embarked on negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with 
Mexico. 
5  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS  
5.1.  Jordan is fully committed to further streng then the economic and trade integration and to 
maintain positive attitude towards the multilateral trading system. Jordan is seeking technical support to achieve the full compliance with WTO agreements in the following areas: 
 Strengthen technical capacity building in the fo llowing areas: government procurements, trade 
negotiation skills, customs valuation agreement, trade facilitation and customs clearance operations, SPS, TBT, effective and efficient utilization of trade remedies. 
 Development and implementation of trade policies, in the areas of; competition policy, IPR 
issues and modernization of IPRs laws and regulations, e-procurement and warehouse 
management, modern price index system, translation of WTO agreements to Arabic, regional information exchange center, development of standardization, testing and quality infrastructures. WT/TPR/G/325 • Jordan 
 
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   Most effective implementation of measures in accordance with trade facilitation agreement in 
the areas of: pre-arrival processing, automated infrastructure and automated single window in 
particular, risk management process, legal translation of customs legislation; regulation; procedures and publication of Jordan customs department website contents of the internet, 
advance rulings. 
 Strengthen the start-up of SMEs; strengthening the systematic vocational training, enhancing 
SME's competitiveness for export, enhancing the use of renewable energy by industries. 
 Improving public awareness and developing a wider culture in the areas of IPR, Trade 
Facilitation. 
 International Expertise in: preparation and adoption of standards, creation of legislative and 
institutional frameworks to better business environments and to promote investments, 
developing modern customs systems, attaining good manufacturing practices. 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS 
6.1.  Undeniably, Jordan faces unprecedented challenges with a virulent turmoil in 
two neighbouring countries, the interruption of traditional trading routes, uncertain worldwide economic prospects and massive inflow of refugees. Jordan relies heavily on the benefits of the 
multilateral trading system and urges a fast and comprehensive outcome of the Doha 
Development Agenda. Only openness to trade and reforms will allow Jordan and the world to improve. 
6.2.  The Jordan Vision 2025, the core framework for economic and social development, will lead 
the path for Jordan to overcome the regional adve rsities. The vision will underline that sound fiscal 
policy, political and economic stability, social inclusion and gender equality, enhanced legal and 
regulatory framework and institutional reforms will enable Jordan to progress.  
6.3.  However, such achievements couldn't be possible without technical assistance and capacity 
building, for the country, the government and private sector. In the past year, several programs, projects and interventions have taken place by various donors and addressed the development of 
the trade and industry in Jordan.  
6.4.  Jordan highlights the need of continued assistance, especially investment in infrastructure 
and capacity building of all stakeholders will be  huge. The Jordan Vision 2025 will contain several 
initiatives and measures and offer a well-balanced platform to integrate and coordinate technical 
assistance. 
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