Ammon News - President of the Jordanian Union of Restaurants and Confectionery Proprietors Omar al-Awwad, revealed that the restaurant and confectionery sector has begun to witness significant signs of improvement this summer, following a previous season that disappointed expectations.

Al-Awwad indicated that this recovery has been buoyed by the return of expatriates, the organization of cultural festivals, and an increase in social events such as graduation parties and weddings, in addition to the completion of Tawjihi exams.

This seasonal activity restores some hope to business owners, al-Awwad said.

Despite this summer surge, al-Awwad noted that the recovery is not effectively reflected in net profits due to rising operating costs, most notably meat and poultry prices, which have seen significant increases in both local and imported, fresh and frozen products.

Electricity and water bills also saw a significant increase during the second quarter of the year, placing additional burdens on restaurant owners, particularly those offering popular meals at reasonable prices, al-Awwad added.

The sector comprises approximately 20,000 establishments spread across the Kingdom and employs approximately 400,000 workers, making it one of the largest contributors to the national economy.