Total investments at the development and free zones amounted to JD3.3 billion ($4.65 billion) at the end of 2012, according to Amer Majali who heads the Development and Free Zones Commission (DFZC).
He indicated that the zones provide jobs for 80,000 workers.
Speaking at a press conference, Majali ranked industrial development zones at the top with a JD1.9 billion investment.
Currently, there are four public industrial zones and there are plans to start two others, Majali said at the conference, noting that the plans were still under study.
Investments in the 37 private free zones ranked second at JD313 million, Majali added, indicating that these zones are specialized in storage, industrial and agricultural services.
Public free zones’ investment volume amounted to JD243 million at the end of last year, the DFZC chief said.
Regarding development areas, investments reached JD506 million with the Dead Sea Development Zone accounting for more than half the figure at JD391.35 million. The Dead Sea Development Zone focuses on tourism investments.
The King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area in Mafraq received JD42 million in investments while the share of Maan’s Development Area was JD54.6 million, according to Majali. The investments at the Business Development Park reached JD17.42 million, he noted.
“Recent amendments to the Development Zones Law brought all the existing industrial estates and free zones in the country under the DFZC regulatory regime in a bid to promote their investment environment,” Majali said.
Established in 2008, DFZC aims at increasing Jordan’s foreign direct investment and promoting economic growth to strengthen the country’s economy.
Jordan Times
4 February
