Investors: Jordan an 'Attractive' Investment Hub for Key Sectors

Investors say Jordan competitive hub for pharmaceuticals, garments and IT

Amman, April 8 — Local and foreign investors on Wednesday described Jordan as an "attractive" and competitive destination for capital across pharmaceuticals, garments and information technology, citing regulatory alignment, trade agreements and high-level patronage that have enabled firms to scale regionally and globally. The comments were made at a session titled "Success Stories of Jordanian and Foreign Investors in the Kingdom," held on the sidelines of the Economic Forum for Diplomatic Missions in Jordan.

"Jordan provides a 'favorable' environment for the pharmaceutical industry," said Tareq Darwazeh, Chief Executive for Middle East and North Africa Operations at Hikma Pharmaceuticals. He pointed to the role of the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, free trade agreements and the Kingdom’s membership in the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) as factors that facilitate access to global markets.

Darwazeh noted that Jordan’s infrastructure and regulatory framework allow production of high-quality medicines that meet international standards, positioning the country as a regional hub serving Arab and global markets. He underscored Hikma’s global footprint — the company was founded in 1970 and now operates in more than 50 countries — and the firm’s ability to export a "wide range of innovative and advanced" treatments to the United States and European markets in line with strict quality and safety standards.

• Manufacturing & trade framework: Panelists highlighted free trade agreements and membership in PIC/S as key enablers for pharmaceutical exports.
• Garment sector scale: Sanal Kumar, Chairman of Classic Fashion Apparel Industry, described Jordan as a "strategic" destination for garment manufacturing and cited government support and trade accords as competitive advantages.
• Digital economy momentum: Rami Qawasmi, CEO of Mawdoo3.com, pointed to AI, data use and digital transformation fueling startup growth and content scaling, especially in Arabic-language products.

Indian investor Sanal Kumar said his company, established in Jordan in 2003, now employs 36,000 workers — including 8,000 Jordanians — and recorded sales exceeding $1.05 billion in 2025, with projections to reach $1.2 billion in 2026. He called for further sector development to attract more investment and boost industry output to over $8 billion by 2033.

Rami Qawasmi emphasised the broader technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem, noting "strong" support from His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, alongside government incentives and legislation that have enabled startups to scale locally and regionally. Qawasmi said focus areas such as Arabic content and artificial intelligence are central to improving global competitiveness and expanding digital product offerings.

The forum session was organised by the Jordanian Businessmen Association in cooperation with the Ministries of Investment and of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs under the theme "Investment for the Future." Participants framed Jordan’s combination of regulatory alignment, preferential market access and institutional backing as compelling reasons for continued foreign and domestic investment, while urging targeted policy and sectoral development to translate competitiveness into higher-value exports and job creation across pharmaceuticals, garments and the digital economy.