Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordanian exports last year increased by 7.5% to JD5.2 billion ($7.3 billion) compared to JD4.8 billion ($6.7 billion) in 2013, official figures showed today.

In total, the foreign trade index rose %3.8 last year reaching JD23 billion ($32 billion), compared to JD21.3 billion ($30 billion) in 2013, said report issued by Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC).

The figures also showed that the kingdom imported goods worth of JD16.1 billion ($22 billion) or %3.1 higher than 2013 when it stood at JD15.7 billion ($22.1 billion).

The survey also revealed that the biggest partner was the Grand Arab Free Trade Zone, topping the list of commercial and economic bloc partners in 2014 with 35.1% share foreign trade, standing at JD7.8 billion ($11 billion). The study also showed that Iraq was the biggest partner followed by Saudi Arabia, while the EU block stands as the second strongest partner.

Trade in Jordan has been hit by the conflicts in the region, but an influx of refugees from Syria meant the kingdom was in need of more imports to cover soaring demands on fuel and other basic goods.

The survey also revealed that national exports accounted for %33.3 of the overall foreign trade in 2014, compared to 22.5 per cent in 2013, which noted that re-exports declined last year by %2.8 to JD790 million ($1.1 billion) from JD813 million in 2013 ($1.21 billion).

*ANSAmed