Iraq ranks 3rd largest market for Amman exports in 2025
Iraq was the third-largest importer of goods from Amman's industrial sector during the first half of 2025, according to data released Monday by the Amman Chamber of Industry.
The chamber reported that Amman's total exports for the first six months of the year reached 3.467B Jordanian dinars (about $5B), up from 3.086B dinars (about $4.5B) during the same period in 2024.
Four countries—India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq—accounted for more than half of all exports, with a combined value of 1.988B dinars (about $3B), the report stated.
The United States was the leading destination, with exports valued at 586M dinars (about $830M), followed by Iraq with 451M dinars (about $630M), and Saudi Arabia with 418M dinars (about $590M).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Cash culture dominates Iraq, reform efforts stall
Shafaq News – Baghdad Officials estimated on Saturday that nearly 92 percent of Iraq's cash remains outside the banking system, making it one of the world's most cash-dependent economies. Experts warn that widespread cash hoarding is draining liquidity, weakening institutions, and blocking long-delayed reforms of Iraq's fragile financial sector. Decades of political turmoil, international sanctions, and economic instability have also shaped this pattern. Repeated bank failures, asset seizures, and corruption scandals have left many Iraqis distrustful of formal financial institutions—especially in rural and underserved areas with limited access to banking services. MP Mustafa al-Karaawi identified the erosion of public trust as the main reason citizens avoid depositing money. Although parliament has pushed to merge and modernize public banks, progress remains stalled due to entrenched inefficiencies and outdated digital infrastructure. He called for mandatory digital transactions across government and private sectors to normalize banking use. However, poor internet coverage, limited online services, and cumbersome account procedures continue to deter users. Public Reluctance In the capital, Abdul Ali Alwan described to Shafaq News how opening an account took little effort, but withdrawing even a portion of his funds dragged on for more than a week—an experience that discourages further engagement with the system. Frustrations also run high in the informal economy, where delays can prove even more disruptive. Contractor Abdul-Zahra Fadhel recounted frequent payment hold-ups and restricted access to his accounts, which often left him without the liquidity needed to cover operational expenses. 'When funds arrive in dollars, banks often refuse to disburse the money in the same currency. They require you to open another account in dinars, and they don't use the parallel exchange rate,' he explained. Instead, the conversion takes place at the official government rate, typically below the open market value—reducing the real worth of each payment received. Adding to the distrust, Fadhel pointed to episodes where private banks faced temporary shutdowns due to external sanctions. These incidents, he noted, reinforce the perception that formal banking channels are unreliable. Experts Call for Structural Overhaul Economists link Iraq's heavy cash dependence to deep institutional weaknesses, stressing that decades of instability and limited financial education have entrenched hoarding habits. The implications extend far beyond households and small businesses. Analysts warn that the Central Bank's ability to manage inflation is curtailed, and tools like interest rates lose their effectiveness. A shrinking pool of bank-held liquidity also constrains lending and investment. As a result, many investors bypass traditional banking entirely, opting instead for informal and often less regulated financing methods. Unless sweeping reforms are enacted, Iraq's economy will continue to face exposure to inflationary swings, liquidity shortages, and capital flight. Restoring public confidence in the financial system, experts argue, remains essential for ensuring long-term stability and sustainable growth.
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
First flight lands in Aleppo after 14-year blackout
Shafaq News – Aleppo Reactivating Aleppo International Airport could reconnect the city to regional markets and breathe new life into medical and trade tourism, a local travel agency director told Shafaq News on Saturday, expressing hope that flight routes would soon expand to additional Arab and European cities. The Head of a Travel Reservations Company in Aleppo, Mohammad al-Qadri, noted that the move will ease the movement of thousands of passengers monthly and cut the high costs of traveling through distant hubs like Damascus or Beirut. He estimated that air bookings in and out of Aleppo could rise by 30% to 40% within the first six months, particularly among business travelers, students, and families based in Turkiye and Europe. In a post on X, Omar Hosari, the head of Syria's Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority, welcomed the arrival of the first Turkish Airlines flight to Aleppo, describing the event as a major milestone in Syria's efforts to reestablish global air connectivity and restore Aleppo's role in regional aviation. نرحب بوصول أولى رحلات الخطوط الجوية التركية إلى مطار حلب الدولي، قادمة من مطار إسطنبول، وعلى متنها 140 راكباً، وذلك بعد انقطاع دام 14 عاماً.هذا الحدث يشكل محطة مهمة في جهود الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني لإعادة تنشيط الربط الجوي بين الجمهورية العربية السورية والعالم، وتعزيز موقع… — Omar Hosari عمر الحصري (@ohosari) August 1, 2025 Economic expert Sami al-Salloum told Shafaq News that restoring air routes with Turkiye could revitalize Aleppo's struggling tourism and commerce sectors, if accompanied by customs and logistics reforms.
Shafaq News
8 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Najaf tourism hit hard by hotel closures
Shafaq News – Najaf At least 100 hotels in Najaf have shut down over the past five years, resulting in the layoff of 5,000 workers, a local tourism official revealed on Saturday. The Director of the Najaf Tourism Hotels Association, Saeb Abu Ghneim, told Shafaq News that Najaf had 350 licensed tourist hotels in 2020. By 2025, that number dropped to 250. He explained that 60 hotels were shut down over safety violations, mainly due to non-compliance with civil defense regulations, adding that more than 50 of them have recently reopened after complying with safety requirements. The remaining closures are expected to be lifted once they meet the mandated standards. Many closed hotels have been converted into private hospitals, restaurants, shopping centers, and vehicle garages, he stated, pointing out that the association communicated concerns to officials in Baghdad, but none of its demands have been addressed, 'as the government is focused solely on developing the oil sector.' Urging the cabinet to launch a dedicated initiative for the tourism industry, Abu Ghneim called for financial assistance to rehabilitate and upgrade hotels, tax relief measures, and improved benefits to revive this vital economic sector. Najaf draws tens of millions of pilgrims annually, particularly during peak seasons like Arbaeen —which translates into a substantial driver of the local and national economy. The influx of visitors generates massive demand for services such as transportation, hospitality, food, retail, and religious tourism infrastructure. This seasonal surge boosts employment, stimulates small and medium enterprises, and brings in liquidity that sustains many local businesses year-round.
