Statistical data issued by the Jordanian Department of Statistics indicate a rise in the value of national exports by 37.7 % and the re-exports by 29.4 % during 2008 compared to 2007. In contrast, the value of imports has risen by 23.2 % during 2008.

The deficit in the trade balance has risen by 14 % during 2008 as compared to 2007, therefore the imports coverage by the exports stood at 46.1 % during 2008. Meanwhile, the imports coverage by the exports was 45.3 % during the first eleven months which means an increase by 0.8%.

As for commodities, the main exported items were pharmaceutical products, crude phosphates, crude potash, fertilizers and vegetables while there was a retreat in the apparel and related accessories. In addition, there was a rise in Jordan’s imports of crude oil, iron and its products, machinery and electrical appliances, vehicles, motorcycles and cereals.

Regarding trade with the main partners, there was a rise in the national exports to Asian countries, particularly India and the Greater Arab Trade Zone part of which is Iraq and the European Union countries part of which is Holland. On the other hand, there was a retreat in the national exports to North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries that resulted from the retreat in exports to the United States of America (USA).

There was a notable increase in the imports from the Greater Arab Trade Zone countries especially Saudi Arabia which is the main source of crude oil imports in addition to the European Union countries, the non-Arab Asian countries and the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries.

© 2009 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)