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Ajman Bank continues to strengthen its role as a trusted advisor to the SME sector, providing not only financial solutions but also business intelligence and thought leadership as part of its holistic approach to client success.
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Jordan Times
6 hours ago
- Jordan Times
Petra attracts nearly 291,000 visitors in seven months, majority foreign tourists
AMMAN — The ancient city of Petra has welcomed approximately 291,000 visitors during the first seven months of 2025, with foreigners making up the majority, according to official data cited by the Al Mamlaka TV. Foreign tourists accounted for 193,061 visitors, representing 66 per cent of the total, with Jordanians and Arab tourists making up the remaining 34 per cent with 78,889 and 19,219 visitors respectively. In July alone, Petra recorded 29,000 visitors, according to official figures, with tourism in the ancient city declining by 61 per cent in 2025 compared to last year. Figures from the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) show that Petra has attracted nearly 9.8 million visitors since 2010. Visitor numbers peaked in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 1.14 million tourists and, in 2023, tourism rose to 1.17 million until the outbreak of the war on Gaza in October, after which the numbers plummeted. Last year, visitor numbers fell sharply to 457,215, a 61 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2023, according to PDTRA figures. PDTRA Chairman Fares Braizat said on Sunday that the ancient city has witnessed a sharp decline in tourist numbers, leading to the closure of 32 hotels, amounting to 2,000 rooms, and the loss of 700 jobs. 'Petra is one of the most affected tourist sites by the decline in visitor numbers due to the war on Gaza and its repercussions on the region,' Braizat told members of the Lower House committees. He added that approximately 38,000 residents of Petra rely either directly or indirectly on the tourism industry, and have been hit hard by what he described as a 'crisis.' To mitigate the impact, tourism-related professions have been temporarily exempted from licensing requirements, and some tenants have been relieved of rent dues for 2024, Braizat noted. Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Director General Abdel Razzak Arabiyat echoed the concerns, saying there has been 'almost a complete decline of tourism in Jordan' following the outbreak of war in Gaza. 'Petra, which heavily relies on tourists from Europe and the United States, has been particularly affected,' he said. 'The repercussions are felt daily, especially by those working in tourism services,' Arabiyat told Al Mamlaka TV. He cited plummeting numbers of Western visitors, which have negatively impacted hotels, tour guides, travel agencies, and transport operators in the Petra region. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Saturday announced a new set of tours under the "Urdunnah Jannah" programme aimed at revitalizing Petra's tourism sector. The initiative will organize overnight stays in the city as part of a broader review of the programme in light of regional developments. The ministry said the new tour package, funded with JD1.5 million from the programme budget, in addition to contributions from participants, is part of ongoing efforts to support local communities and boost tourism recovery in Petra.
Jordan Times
6 hours ago
- Jordan Times
Agricultural producer prices rise in 6 months
AMMAN — The cumulative agricultural Producer Price Index (PPI) for the first six months of this year reached 122.3 percentage points, compared with 111.3 percentage points for the same period last year, marking an increase of 10 per cent. In comparison between the first six months of the current year with the same period last year, the prices of agricultural producers of a number of crops, most notably: chili peppers, green sweet peppers and flowers. The productions relative importance constituted 65.5 per cent, and the index rate witnessed a decrease in the prices of a number of crops, most notably: potatoes and eggplants, with a relative importance of 34.5 per cent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. According to the monthly report of the Department of Statistics (DoS) released on Monday, the agricultural PPI for June of this year recorded 143.1 points compared with 137.5 points for the same month last year, an increase of 4.1 per cent. On the scale of the monthly change, the agricultural Producer Price Index (PPI) for June 2025 increased compared with the same month of 2024, mainly due to the increase in the price index of a number of crops. The most important of which are: strawberries, okra, and berries, where the relative importance of crops whose prices increased was 52.3 per cent. On the other hand, the price index of a number of crops decreased, most notably: Cherries, mushrooms, and colorful bell peppers, and the relative importance of crops whose prices fell were 47.7 per cent. The agricultural PPI for June 2025 recorded 143.1 points compared with 145.1 percentage points of the previous May of the same year, recording a decrease of 1.4 per cent. The index for the month of June 2025 was decreased with the previous month of the same year, the prices of a group of crops, whose relative importance constituted 85.5 per cent. The most important of which were molokhia, grapes, and figs, while the price index of a group of crops, the most important of which are: Zahra, Lokdnia, and green onions, increased, with a relative importance of 14.5 per cent.
Jordan Times
7 hours ago
- Jordan Times
ACC issues 22,674 certificates of origin in 7 months
AMMAN — The number of certificates of origin issued by the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) for exporting goods increased by 5.1 per cent during the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period last year. According to statistical data obtained by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the number of certificates of origin issued by the ACC during the January-July period of 2025 reached 22,674, up from 21,566 during the same period in the previous year. The data also showed a 4.4 per cent decrease in the total value of these certificates, which fell to JD763 million from JD798 million for the same period last year. Iraq topped the list of countries importing from Jordan in terms of the value of certificates of origin, with goods worth some JD349 million and 1,965 certificates issued. It was followed by Saudi Arabia with JD61 million and 5,165 certificates. Egypt came next with JD54 million and 566 certificates, followed by Syria with JD46 million and 2,462 certificates, and Switzerland with about JD44 million and 12 certificates. These five countries were among the highest in terms of both value and number of certificates. In terms of the types of products exported, foreign-origin goods (re-exported items) accounted for JD386 million. Industrial products reached JD149 million, agricultural goods JD100 million, Arab-origin products JD61 million, while the remainder covered other types of goods. A certificate of origin is a document used in international trade to certify that goods in a particular shipment were produced, manufactured, or processed in a specific country. Customs authorities use this document to determine the eligibility of goods, verify their origin and apply appropriate tariffs. ACC issues certificates of origin for Jordanian agricultural and animal products, raw natural resources, re-exported foreign goods and foreign goods purchased locally under certain conditions. The chamber also issues certificates for Jordanian industrial products upon the exporter's request, based on an original factory invoice certified by an industrial chamber and a duly authenticated original certificate of origin issued by an industrial chamber confirming that the goods are of Jordanian origin.
