Ammon News - Jordan's exports to the European Union rose 20% year-on-year to $518 million in the first seven months of 2026, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Secretary-General Dana Zoubi said Wednesday.

Speaking at a ceremony honoring former board chairs and members of the European Chamber of Commerce in Jordan and launching its new committees, Zoubi said exports to the EU increased 39% in 2025 to $881 million.

She said the growth came despite rising shipping costs and supply chain disruptions, reflecting Jordanian industry’s ability to strengthen its presence in overseas markets and providing an incentive to expand exports further.

Zoubi reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to expanding economic and trade cooperation with EU countries, particularly through greater utilization of simplified rules of origin to facilitate Jordanian exports.

She emphasized the chamber's role in connecting Jordanian and European businesses, identifying investment opportunities, and developing partnerships, calling for closer coordination between the chamber, the ministry, and other stakeholders to turn opportunities into practical projects and initiatives.

Zoubi said the government is implementing the Economic Modernization Vision to improve competitiveness, attract investment, expand exports, and create jobs, with the private sector playing a central role.

She added that the ministry is implementing the second phase of the National Export Strategy to diversify export destinations and strengthen Jordanian products' presence in international markets, particularly the EU. These efforts complement other government initiatives, including the Industrial Strategy for 2024–2028, she said.

Zoubi also welcomed the chamber's newly established specialized committees, saying they would help strengthen institutional cooperation and develop trade and investment initiatives between Jordan and EU member states.

For his part, Chamber Chairman Mohammad Smadi opened his remarks by mourning the victims of the terrorist attack in Hamoud, Karak Governorate, condemning the incident and affirming unity behind His Majesty King Abdullah II in confronting terrorism and extremism and protecting Jordan’s security, stability and national unity.

He said Jordan, under His Majesty’s leadership, would remain a model of coexistence and fraternity, stressing that national unity and internal cohesion would protect the country’s security and social fabric.

Smadi emphasized the importance of cooperation between the government and private sector in supporting economic development, attracting investment, and expanding international business partnerships.

He said successive chamber boards had contributed to strengthening business ties between Jordan and Europe, while the chamber seeks to expand cooperation beyond trade to include investment, technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and job creation.

Smadi outlined plans to encourage European companies operating in Jordan or seeking to enter the local market to join the chamber, facilitate their business activities, and connect them with Jordanian partners.

He identified industry, renewable energy, technology, logistics, and value-added manufacturing as sectors offering opportunities for further Jordanian-European cooperation.

He also called for greater support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in accessing European markets and integrating into European production and supply chains.

Referring to the upcoming Jordan-EU Investment Conference, Smadi stressed the importance of translating its eventual outcomes into investment projects, business partnerships, and practical initiatives.

He said the chamber would work with government institutions, economic organizations, and European partners to identify and pursue opportunities arising from the conference.

Smadi also outlined the objectives of the chamber's newly launched committees, including strengthening corporate governance, expanding membership, and increasing women's participation in business and investment.

He said the Governance Committee would focus on transparency, accountability, and institutional performance, while the Membership Committee would seek to attract new members and improve services.

The Businesswomen's Committee would support women's participation in trade, investment, and entrepreneurship.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Jordan was launched in the second half of 2025, building on three decades of work by the Jordan Europe Business Association (JEBA).

The chamber operates as an independent organization representing European companies and Jordanian businesses with European interests. It works to facilitate trade, investment, and dialogue between businesses and policymakers under the Jordan-EU Association Agreement.