ammonnews.net

Ammon News - Remittances from Jordanian workers in Qatar have seen a significant increase of 7% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

This rise is attributed to the ongoing improvement in Qatar’s economic conditions and the growing job opportunities available to Jordanians, particularly in key sectors such as construction, hospitality, and financial services.

According to several officials at money transfer outlets and currency exchange companies within the Qatari market, the total value of remittances sent by the Jordanian workforce in Qatar from January to the end of September has reached approximately 380 million Qatari riyals (about $104.4 million).

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Tuesday, the officials noted that the total remittances from Jordanian workers in Qatar have shown solid growth and significant leaps, particularly considering the continuous rise in the number of the Jordanian community in the country and the workforce among its members. They pointed out that remittances during the first nine months of 2023 were approximately 355 million Qatari riyals ($97.5 million).

They also emphasized that Qatar remains one of the key Gulf destinations for Jordanian labor, with many Jordanians employed in a variety of sectors at different levels in both the public and private sectors.

The financial remittances sent by these workers to their families play a crucial role in the Jordanian economy, contributing significantly to financial stability and improving the living standards of their families. These remittances help meet various obligations such as loans, education costs, healthcare, and housing.

Most Jordanians working in the Qatari market are engaged in the government sectors of education and health, in addition to private educational and medical institutions. A wide array of other sectors also employs Jordanian workers, including finance, banking, real estate, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, food services, and information technology. Moreover, remittances from Jordanian expats in Qatar serve as a vital source of foreign currency, contributing to the Central Bank of Jordan's reserves.

Currently, the Jordanian community in Qatar is estimated to number around 75,000, the majority of whom are classified as part of the country's workforce.

A few years ago, Qatar committed to providing 20,000 job opportunities for Jordanian youth in the Qatari labor market. As of the end of 2022, half of this commitment had been fulfilled, with approximately 10,000 jobs created in the first phase, while efforts continue to complete the remaining opportunities in the second phase.

Remittances from Jordanian workers abroad represent an important part of national income and contribute to supporting the balance of payments, as well as enhancing foreign currency reserves at the Central Bank of Jordan.

It is expected that remittances from Jordanian expats in Qatar will continue to rise in the coming period, given the increasing demand for skilled Jordanian labor across various sectors.