Foreign trade rose during the first eleven months of 2003 by 8.6 per cent but the trade deficit widened by 14 per cent compared to that of the same period last year. .
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Imports increased by 9.8 per cent, exports by 4.4 per cent and reexports by 14 per cent, the ministry figures indicated. .
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In terms of the increase in exports value, sales to the US surged by 57.6 per cent, followed by those to Syria by 37.5 per cent. .
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Exports to Iraq, Israel and India declined by 35.1, 25.5 and 12.2 per cent respectively. In terms of quantity, the US topped the list at 28.9 per cent, followed by Iraq at 12.6 per cent and India which received 8.6 per cent. .
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The trade surplus with the US rose to JD194.6 million compared to JD33 million in light of a 53.9 per cent rise in exports from the Qualified Industrial Zones and under the Free Trade Agreement signed between Jordan and the US. .
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Exports to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Syria accounted for 6.7, 4.1 and 4.0 per cent of the total respectively. .
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US markets topped the list of buyers from Al Hassan Industrial Estate near Irbid during the past year accounting for 79 per cent of the estate $321 million total exports. Israeli markets came second accounting for $52 million or 16 per cent of the estate exports. .
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Irbid Chamber of Industry Chairman Maher Nasser said ready-made garments and textiles were the main exports accounting for 93 per cent of the estate overall exports to other countries followed by engineering, agricultural and veterinary drugs, fertilisers, plastics and leather products.
Date:1/22/2004
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