AGP Executive Report

Fuel Market Shake-up: Vivo Energy has officially completed its acquisition of 100% of TotalEnergies Marketing Jordan, bringing roughly 180 service stations and TotalEnergies’ commercial fuels and lubricants operations under Vivo’s control; the deal also paves the way for the Engen brand to replace TotalEnergies on Jordanian forecourts over the coming months. Macroeconomic Outlook: The IMF says Jordan’s reform program remains “on track” despite regional conflict, with 2025 activity resilient and inflation low; it revised 2026 growth expectations to 2.7% (from 2.9%) while projecting a rebound to 3.1% in 2027. Trade & Industry: Irbid’s industrial exports hit $590.1m in the first half of 2026, up 8.9% year-on-year, with June exports especially strong and the US leading as a destination. Digital Security for Banks: BIO-key will take part in an Amman workshop hosted by the Association of Banks in Jordan on July 6, focusing on passwordless and biometric identity solutions for financial institutions. Regional Humanitarian Support: Jordan sent a five-truck aid convoy to the Nablus/11 field hospital to support medical operations and logistics.

World Bank Financing: The World Bank approved a $700m loan for Jordan’s Growth and Competitiveness Development Policy Financing II, aimed at boosting private investment, expanding access to finance, creating jobs, and accelerating the green and digital transition. Economic Growth: Jordan’s GDP grew 2.9% in Q1 2026 (up from 2.7% in 2025), with agriculture (+6.8%) and manufacturing (+5.3%) leading, while the government pointed to measures supporting liquidity and business continuity. Industrial Momentum: Jordan’s industrial sector rose 4.8% in Q1 2026 and drove nearly 40% of overall growth, with manufacturing the main engine. Amman Smart-City Governance: Greater Amman Municipality launched the second Voluntary Local Review for a “Smart, Resilient and Livable City,” aligning local planning with national reform and SDG targets. Trade & Investment Links: Jordan’s Chamber of Commerce met Brazil’s Arab-Brazilian Chamber to deepen ties ahead of a São Paulo economic forum and a Jordan exhibition of Brazilian products in October. Banking Spotlight: Arab Bank was named as the only Jordanian firm on the Forbes Global 2000 list for 2026. ASE Market Update: Amman Stock Exchange trading hit about JD11m volume, with the index slightly down. Regional Support: JAF sent a five-truck aid convoy to the Jordanian Field Hospital in Nablus to support medical and humanitarian operations.

World Bank Financing: The World Bank approved a $700m loan for Jordan’s “Growth and Competitiveness Development Policy Financing II,” aiming to turn macro stability into stronger private investment, wider access to finance (including for women entrepreneurs), and more jobs while accelerating the green and digital transition. IFC Leadership: IFC named Jordanian Imad N. Fakhoury as Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Central Asia, effective July 1, tasking him with mobilizing private capital and supporting job creation across 21 countries. Jordanian Economy Watch: Jordan’s GDP grew 2.9% in Q1 2026 (up from 2.7% in Q1 2025), with agriculture and manufacturing leading, according to the Department of Statistics. ASE Snapshot: The Amman Stock Exchange rose 0.5% on Monday, with trading volume figures also reported during the week. Humanitarian & Business Links: Jordanian civil defense teams helped in Venezuela’s earthquake response, including pulling a 3-year-old boy alive from rubble six days after the shocks, as survivors face food and shelter shortages. Culture & Tourism Economy: Jerash artisans are reviving heritage furniture, positioning traditional craft as both a cultural identity project and a tourism-linked economic opportunity.

Jordan Economy: Jordan’s GDP grew 2.9% in Q1 2026, up from 2.7% a year earlier, with agriculture (+6.8%) and manufacturing (+5.3%) leading, while the Department of Statistics said government economic, fiscal and monetary measures helped the economy stay on track despite regional escalation. Energy Security: Jordan is studying options to boost electricity interconnection with Egypt, including expanding and reinforcing the current 500MW link, as renewables play a bigger role in grid stability and the state budget. Industrial Push: The Jordan Chamber of Industry says industrial exports rose 9.1% in the first four months of 2026 to JD2.808bn, with growth across all sub-sectors, and the Chamber also launched an “Industrialist’s Compass” knowledge series to help firms prepare for trade rules like the EU’s CBAM. Finance & FX Demand: Exchange companies report exceptionally strong demand for the Jordanian dinar, linked to returning expatriates, tourism activity and seasonal spending, with the US dollar selling at 70.85 piasters and the euro at 80.5 piasters. Agriculture Resilience: FAO launched a Japanese-funded drought resilience project in northern Jordan to support climate-smart practices for smallholders and women-led cooperatives, targeting about 380 beneficiaries.

Amman Stock Exchange: Trading volume hit JD 11.1m and the ASE moved up 0.5% on Monday, with investors watching broader market direction. Sustainability Finance: Jordan Ahli Bank completed the full allocation of Jordan’s first locally issued Sustainability Bond (USD 50m), funding 582 projects across 10 governorates, including clean transport and support for women-led SMEs. Urban Development & Tourism: The Jordanian Company for Urban and Government Facilities Development awarded a tender for the design and feasibility of the Kingdom’s largest amusement park under Amra City (200 dunams, JOD 50m for phase one; operations targeted by end-2028). Environment in Amra City: JCDCF and RSCN signed to create a 1,000-dunum eco-park in Amra City, with construction starting early July and a three-year timeline. Social Protection: The Social Development Ministry launched a 2026–2030 national action plan to prevent and respond to child protection issues, family violence, and violence against women and girls, aligned with national visions and SDGs. Industry & Jobs: The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply launched an Industrial Entrepreneurship program backed by a €35m German grant, offering non-refundable grants to 370 MSMEs and extra support for women-led firms.

Amra City Mega-Projects: Jordanian Company for Urban and Facilities Development awarded a design and feasibility study tender to a British-Saudi coalition for the Kingdom’s largest amusement park, covering 200 dunams at a cost of JOD 50 million, with operations targeted by end-2028. Green Infrastructure: JCDCF and RSCN signed a partnership to create a 1,000-dunum ecological park in Amra City’s first phase, with construction starting early July and completion within three years; RSCN will design, build and operate it. Social Protection Push: The Social Development Ministry launched a national multi-sector action plan (2026–2030) to prevent and respond to child protection issues, family violence and violence against women and girls, developed with UNICEF and UNFPA. Sustainability Finance Milestone: Jordan Ahli Bank fully allocated Jordan’s first locally issued Sustainability Bond (USD 50m), funding 582 projects across 10 governorates, including clean transportation and women-led SMEs. Industrial Jobs Drive: Jordan Industrial Estates Company says Zarqa Industrial Estate aims to attract up to 530 industrial firms and create about 21,000 jobs, positioning it as a green industrial hub. Markets Watch: Amman Stock Exchange rose 0.5% on Monday, with turnover of JD13.7m.

Trade & Exports: Jordan’s exports to EU markets jumped 49.3% to JD218m (first four months of 2026), with the European Chamber of Commerce in Jordan calling it proof of local competitiveness and the payoff from export diversification efforts. Corporate & Markets: The Amman Stock Exchange saw Sunday trading volume hit JOD 11.1m across 3.6m shares and 3,926 transactions; the ASE index closed down 1.06% to 3,824 points, with industrial, financial and services sectors all slipping. Health & Business: Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy in Jordan after JFDA authorization, expanding approved options for people living with excess weight, with local partners and medical stakeholders attending the Amman announcement. Policy & Regulation: A Royal Decree summons Parliament for an extraordinary session starting July 12 to debate key draft laws, including local administration, amended universities, real estate ownership, vocational work regulation, and an accreditation/quality assurance commission. Labor: The Ministry of Labor confirmed no changes to exemptions during the status rectification period for non-Jordanian workers, including fee and penalty relief tied to legalization and renewals. Humanitarian & Regional Support: Jordan’s international search and rescue team began operations in earthquake-hit Venezuela, while aid agencies warn Gaza’s sanitation collapse is driving a widening public health crisis.

Parliament Watch: A Royal Decree summons Jordan’s Parliament for an extraordinary session starting July 12, with draft laws on local administration, amended universities, real estate ownership, repealing the Civil Consumer Corporation Law, vocational work regulation, and a new accreditation and quality assurance commission. Labor & Work Permits: The Ministry of Labor says there will be no changes to exemptions during the status rectification period for non-Jordanian workers, including 50% work-permit fee exemptions for previous periods, 100% late-renewal penalty waivers, and 100% overstay fine exemptions if status is legalized on time. Markets: The Amman Stock Exchange fell 1.06% on Sunday, with the general index closing at 3,824 points; trading volume hit JD11.1 million across 3.6 million shares. Trade & Business: The Jordan Export House and AmCham-Jordan discussed boosting Jordanian exports to the US, including export readiness and participation in trade fairs. Tourism Sector: The Amman Chamber of Commerce met the tourist car rental syndicate on sector challenges and the draft Car Rental Service Licensing Bylaw of 2026. Regional Humanitarian Aid: Jordan’s 100-member international search-and-rescue team began operations in earthquake-stricken Venezuela, working across three sites in Caracas in coordination with local authorities.

Digital Economy & Tech Push: Crown Prince Al Hussein is driving Jordan’s push to become a regional tech and innovation hub, with AI and digital government services under the National Council for Future Technology and flagship tools like Siraj and Sanad. Trade & Exports: Jordanian exports to the EU jumped 49.3% in the first four months of 2026 to JD218m, with industry, food, pharma and chemicals flagged as growth engines. E-Commerce Policy: The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply wrapped up Phase I of the National E-Commerce Strategy and set Phase II for 2026–2029. Entrepreneurship Support: Global IME Bank launched the Udyamshala program to incubate and accelerate SMEs, with applications open. Energy & Jobs: Experts say renewable energy, green hydrogen and green ammonia projects can boost energy security and create jobs, with renewables at ~27% of electricity generation and targets rising. Water & Tourism Development: Ajloun launched “Ajloun, Land of Springs” to restore historic springs, protect water resources, and build eco-tourism trails. Business Exports Abroad: 23 Jordanian food companies will take part in the US Fancy Food Show, backed by the Jordanian Exporters Association to leverage the US free trade agreement. EU Human Rights Watch: European sources warn Jordan’s death-penalty moratorium end could complicate EU relations and aid approvals.

Digital Economy & Policy: Jordan’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply has wrapped up the review of the National E-Commerce Strategy (Phase I) and set Phase II for 2026–2029, with stakeholders aligning priorities for fast-changing digital trade. Energy & Investment: Experts say expanding renewables plus green hydrogen and green ammonia can strengthen Jordan’s energy security, jobs, and water/industrial/digital sectors, with renewables at about 27% of electricity and a push toward 40% by 2035. Exports & Trade Links: Jordanian exports to the EU rose 49.3% in the first four months of 2026 to JD218m, while 23 Jordanian food firms are set to join the US Fancy Food Show to leverage the Free Trade Agreement. Tourism & Water Heritage: Ajloun launched “Ajloun, Land of Springs” to restore historic springs for eco-tourism while keeping their role in irrigation. Regional Logistics: Commentators highlight Jordan’s role as a logistics hub amid shifting trade corridors, with Aqaba preparing public infrastructure for the Jordan vs. Argentina match broadcast. EU Human Rights Watch: European sources warn Jordan’s move to end the death-penalty moratorium could complicate EU aid approvals and bilateral cooperation. Entrepreneurship Finance: Global IME Bank announced its “Udyamshala” incubation and acceleration program, opening applications to support SMEs and new entrepreneurs.

Export Push to US: 23 Jordanian food companies will join the US “Fancy Food Show” starting Sunday, with the Jordanian Exporters Association saying the Free Trade Agreement and US demand make it a key route to more foreign-currency inflows and jobs. EU Trade Momentum: Jordanian exports to EU countries jumped 49.3% in the first four months of 2026 to JD218m, driven by industrial, food, pharma and chemical sectors. Aqaba Shipping Spotlight: Aqaba Port Marine Services marked the Day of the Seafarer, stressing that seafarers carry most global trade while Jordanian maritime professionals support the Port of Aqaba’s role as a regional logistics hub. ASE Market Watch: Total trading volume on the Amman Stock Exchange hit JD12.7m, with the index down 1.19% amid JD8.1m turnover. Jordanian Economy Theme: Coverage also points to broader efforts to strengthen economic engines, including trade and investment initiatives tied to regional connectivity.

Cybersecurity & Industry: A Russian-linked ransomware attack on Jaguar Land Rover reportedly cost the UK economy about $2.5bn, with investigators pointing to social-engineering tactics that halted production for weeks—raising new questions for regional firms about cyber resilience and supply-chain risk. Jordan–EU Investment: Jordan’s ambassador says the Jordan–EU Investment Conference will proceed as scheduled on Nov. 19, keeping investor momentum on the agenda. Jordan Economy & Trade: Jordan’s exports rose 7.3% and the trade deficit narrowed 13.4% in the first four months of 2026, while local demand for the dinar stayed strong in exchange markets. Energy & Jobs: Jordan’s JLGC launched employment and green finance guarantee programmes, and renewable installations on JEPCO’s grid reportedly exceeded 40,000 systems. Transport & Connectivity: Royal Jordanian launched direct Amman–Vienna flights, adding another Europe link for business travel and tourism. Regional Business Climate: Syrian industrialists are increasingly importing finished goods over long-payback local manufacturing, citing slow capital recovery and cross-border invoice and fee restrictions—an issue that also affects the Syrian–Jordanian industrial zone.

ASE Market Pulse: The Amman Stock Exchange logged total trading volume of JD12.7 million on Thursday, with 5.1 million shares traded across 4,081 contracts, while the General Stock Price Index rose 0.54% to 3,865 points. Currency & Remittances: Jordan’s dinar is seeing strong demand at exchange companies, driven by faster economic activity, rising national exports, and remittances—with expatriate transfers up 13.3% to $1.6bn in the first third of the year and foreign reserves reaching $27.2bn by end of last May. EU-Jordan Investment Outlook: The Jordan–EU Investment Conference on Nov. 19 will go ahead as scheduled, with the EU reaffirming roughly €80m annually for refugee cooperation plus €10–15m for humanitarian support, while future funding levels post-2028 remain under discussion. Public Finance: Jordan’s government has moved to settle outstanding debts, with reporting citing JD1.76bn settled over five months.

Dinar Demand: Jordan’s exchange companies are seeing solid demand for the Jordanian dinar, driven by stronger domestic activity, rising national exports and growing remittances; the Jordan Chamber of Commerce says expatriates returning and Gulf tourism should lift exchange-market activity further, with foreign reserves reported at JD27.2bn by end-May. Public Finance: Jordan’s government raised JD2.075bn via Treasury bonds and bills in the first five months of 2026, while also settling JD1.250bn in outstanding debts, with interest accrued on new issues reaching JD427m. Jobs & Green Finance: The Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation launched two new guarantee programmes—one for employment and another for green finance—backed by German funding and the Central Bank, aiming to expand SME access to credit. Water Sector Relief: The water minister ordered lifting seizures on subscribers’ salaries and funds tied to prior water-debt arrears, with banks starting implementation. Renewables Growth: JEPCO reported renewables connected to its grid surpassed 40,329 systems by end-2025, with installed capacity above 716MW. Humanitarian Support: JAF dispatched medical and logistical supplies to surgical stations in Ramallah and Jenin to support ongoing care for Palestinians.

Trade & Industry: Jordan’s national exports climbed 7.3% to JD2.956bn in the first four months of 2026, while imports fell 1.5% to JD6.559bn, shrinking the trade deficit by 13.4% to JD2.694bn, as garments, chemical fertilisers, crude potash, pharmaceuticals and crude phosphate drove growth. Aviation & Services: Royal Jordanian is set to strengthen its European footprint with direct Amman–Vienna flights, adding another link for business travel and tourism. Digital Economy: Qatar Post launched a revamped CONNECTED service for borderless international shopping and shipping, including deliveries to Qatar from origins such as Jordan, with tracking and flexible options. Regional Diplomacy: Jordan was among countries that expressed solidarity with Venezuela after a major earthquake, with the acting president declaring a state of emergency. Tech & Governance: Crown Prince Al Hussein met US tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to discuss cooperation with Jordan’s digital transformation agenda and government efficiency efforts.

Trade & Exports: Jordan’s national exports rose 7.3% in the first four months of 2026 to JD2.956bn, while imports fell 1.5% to JD6.559bn, shrinking the trade deficit by 13.4% to JD2.694bn, as garments, chemicals, potash and pharma drove gains. Aviation & Tourism: Royal Jordanian launched a new direct Amman–Vienna route (four times weekly), positioning the airline to deepen Central Europe links for tourism and trade. Digital Economy: Crown Prince Hussein met US tech leaders in Silicon Valley, discussing cooperation tied to the National Council for Future Technology and areas like AI, fintech, SaaS and autonomous logistics. Water Security: Senate President Faisal Al-Fayez urged a national push to protect water security, including a new project concept similar to the National Water Carrier and steps to cut water loss. Energy & Industry Jobs: Jordan’s mining sector is expected to grow and create over 30,000 jobs by 2033, with strategic minerals including copper, lithium and potash. Public Transport: The Cabinet approved adding 30 buses to inter-governorate routes (Karak–Zarqa and Karak–Aqaba) with electronic payments and tracking. Urban Governance: Greater Amman’s new building permits and oversight system for 2026 aims to streamline licensing with digital tools and clearer timelines.