Jordan's export strategy: targets and the tests of delivery

The decision and the targets

As of 8 October 2026, Jordan's cabinet has approved its National Export Strategy for 2026–2029. The Prime Ministry's October 6 communiqué describes a move toward more products, destinations and exporting firms. It announces a 5% annual export-growth target and an ambition to raise manufactured exports from JD4.7 billion to JD7.9 billion by 2029.

Those are different measures: one is a recurring growth goal; the other is a targeted level for a particular export segment. Neither demonstrates that growth has occurred. Cabinet approval establishes a policy decision, not its economic results.

Sources: Jordan Prime Ministry

The businesses it is meant to reach

In an October 8 interview with Petra, Industry Minister Yarub Qudah describes support for small and medium-sized enterprises through market information, promotion and connections with overseas buyers. He also identifies quality, productivity, innovation and digital trade tools as areas for attention.

The minister's account is broader than goods alone. Priority activities include apparel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and engineering products, alongside information technology, consulting and creative services. Diversification is therefore an announced objective in both what Jordan sells and which firms participate. The interview does not show how many additional businesses will export, which markets they will enter or what sales they will secure.

Sources: Jordan News Agency (Petra)

An existing example, not proof of rollout

Petra's October 6 report from Aqaba describes the Local to Global programme, hosted by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and implemented by Jordan Export House and JEDCO. It targets industrial and service SMEs, particularly firms that have not exported before.

The organisers describe help with identifying markets, understanding entry requirements and preparing businesses to compete abroad. This is useful background on the type of support available. It is not evidence that the new strategy has already been implemented through that programme, nor does the report establish export contracts, sales or job gains.

Sources: Jordan News Agency (Petra)

What would demonstrate delivery?

Qudah says sector-specific plans will identify programmes, projects, responsibilities and financing requirements, with an interim review in 2027 and an impact assessment in 2029. These are future checkpoints, not completed evaluations.

An editorial reading of that framework suggests three useful tests: whether promised support reaches firms; whether participating businesses actually enter and remain in overseas markets; and whether the resulting activity generates local value. Funding commitments and implementation timetables would help distinguish an operational programme from an announcement.

Assessing the strategy will therefore require more than comparing a headline target with a headline export total. Evidence about participating firms, sustained sales and delivery of the sector plans would make it possible to judge both expansion and diversification.

Sources: Jordan Prime Ministry Jordan News Agency (Petra)