Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05AMMAN531
2005-01-23 07:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

JORDAN - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2005

Tags:  EINV EFIN ETRD KTDB JO OPIC USTR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 AMMAN 000531 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA - JN HATCHER, P BROWN
STATE PASS TO USTR
USDOC/CIMS NTDB WASHDC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ETRD KTDB JO OPIC USTR
SUBJECT: JORDAN - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2005

REF: 04 STATE 250356

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 12 AMMAN 000531

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA - JN HATCHER, P BROWN
STATE PASS TO USTR
USDOC/CIMS NTDB WASHDC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ETRD KTDB JO OPIC USTR
SUBJECT: JORDAN - INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, 2005

REF: 04 STATE 250356


1. In response to reftel request, post submits the
Investment Climate Statement for 2005 for Jordan. As
requested, post will also send a copy of the ICS via email
to EB/IFD/OIA.

BEGIN TEXT OF INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT, JORDAN:

Investment Climate

Openness to Foreign Investment

Since King Abdullah II succeeded to the throne in 1999,
Jordan has taken steps to encourage foreign investment. Key
reforms have been undertaken in the information technology,
pharmaceuticals, tourism, and services sectors. Foreign and
domestic investment laws grant specific incentives to
industry, agriculture, hotels, hospitals, maritime and rail
transportation. Leisure and recreation projects, convention
and exhibition centers, transportation and distribution of
water, gas, and oil/oil derivatives using pipelines were
added to this list. The laws also allow the cabinet
flexibility in offering investment incentives to other
sectors.

Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in
April 2000. In addition, a U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) entered into force on December 17, 2001. In May 2001,
the government converted the Aqaba port and surrounding area
into a special economic zone (SEZ) offering special
incentives to investors (see below). The government is
revamping the investment promotion system in Jordan. It is
re-examining investment incentives, and is considering the
consolidation of all investment promotion activities under a
new "Jordanian Agency for Economic Development (JAED)".
These developments will likely lead to expanded investment
opportunities in Jordan for U.S. investors.

Jordan's investment laws treat foreign and local investors
equally, with the following exceptions (as per regulation
No. 54 of 2000, entitled "Non Jordanian Investments
Promotion Regulation"):

-- Under the terms of the U.S.-Jordan FTA, ownership of
periodical publications is restricted to Jordanian natural
persons or Jordanian juridical entities wholly owned by
Jordanians.


-- Under the same agreement, foreign investors are limited
to 60 percent ownership in printing/publishing and in
aircraft or vessel maintenance and repair services.

--Also under the FTA, foreign investors are limited to 50
percent ownership in the following businesses and
services:

Architectural services
Engineering Services
Urban planning and landscape architectural services
Leasing or rental services relating to other machinery and
equipment (excluding engines and turbines)
Advertising Services
Geo-technical testing
Placement and supply services of personnel
Related scientific and technical consulting services (part
of CPC
8675),excluding prospecting, surveying, exploration,
exploitation
and map making.
Motion picture and video- tape production and distribution
services
Motion pictures projection services
Sound recording
General Construction Work for Buildings
General Construction Work for Civil Engineering
Installation and Assembly work
Building Completion and Finishing Work
excluding site preparation work for mining
Wholesale Trade (Except wholesale trade of firearms or
pharmaceuticals)
Retailing Services (Except retail trade of pharmaceuticals)
Franchising
Refuse Disposal Services: Collection and treatment of solid
waste
services (part of CPC 9402) excluding collection and
treatment of
hazardous waste.
Agency services
Hotel and Motel Lodging services, excluding casinos
Meal serving services with full restaurant services
Meal serving services in Self-serving facilities
(cafeterias)
Beverage serving services for consumption on the premises,
excluding
casinos
Air catering services
Travel agencies and tour operators
Passenger transportation
Freight transportation
Rental services of sea-going vessels with operator
Storage and warehousing services
Shipping agents
Maritime freight forwarding services
Food supply catering
Rental of vessels with crew
Maintenance and repair of vessels
Pushing and towing services
Computer reservations systems
Freight forwarding services
Packing, crating and de-packing
Freight inspection services, excluding pre-shipment
inspection for
customs valuation purposes on imports

The FTA Annex 3.1 has a complete listing of limitations on
investments and may be found at the following internet
address:

http://www.jordanembassyus.org/new/commercial /fta/annex3_1jo
.pdf

-- Foreign investors may not have whole or partial
ownership of:

-- Investigation and security services;

-- Sports clubs (except for health clubs)

-- Stone quarrying for construction purposes

-- Customs clearance services

-- Land transportation of passengers and cargo using
trucks, buses and taxis.

A minimum capital requirement of JD 50,000 (US $70,000) is
set for foreign investors. This requirement does not apply
to participation in public shareholding companies.

There is no formal screening or host government selection
process for foreign investment. However, investors in large
projects find that the informal approval of local and
central government officials helps to ensure governmental
cooperation in project implementation.

The law stipulates that expropriation is prohibited unless
deemed in the public interest. It provides for fair
compensation to the investor in convertible currency.

The government plans to accelerate and broaden the
privatization program. As regards the power sector, the
Jordanian Government has created separate generation,
transmission, and distribution companies (CEGCO, IDCECO and
EDCO) and has established an effective regulatory body for
the industry. A new electricity law has been passed paving
the way for the privatization of the sector through a new
regulatory and tariff regime.

The GOJ sold its remaining 14.3% stake of the Jordan Cement
Factories Company to the social security corporation in
February 2002. 10.5% of Jordan Telecom shares were sold by
the GOJ via an initial public offering (IPO) in October

2002. In October 2003, the GOJ sold half of its 52% stake
in the Arab Potash Company to a strategic Canadian partner.
The Government is committed to hold its remaining 26% in the
company until the end of 2006, when it may arrange to sell
the balance of its shares. The government continues to
consider its options in the privatization of Royal Jordanian
(RJ) Airline's operating division. The government concluded
the sale of 80 percent of RJ's aircraft maintenance
division. RJ's engine overhaul facility is also for sale.
In addition, the government is conducting a study of the
Jordan Civil Aviation Authority with the goal of privatizing
all but its core regulatory functions. Non-core areas
likely to be sold off or put under private management in the
medium term include all three civil airports, an aviation
services training school, and an airport hotel.

Jordan has also announced that it intends to sell a majority
stake as well as management control in the Jordan Phosphate
Mines Company. A management contract for the handling of
the container terminal in the port of Aqaba was signed with
a Danish company in March 2004. An international consortium
has arranged to develop a 400 km gas-pipeline from Aqaba to
Syria on a BOO basis, to be completed by late 2005. The
postal service has been transformed into a public
shareholding company pending its eventual privatization.
The year 2004 did not witness the conclusion of any major
privatization deals. The Government expects to conclude
major deals in 2005 in the electricity generation and
distribution sectors and the Phosphate company. The
government also expects to sell a portion of its shares in
Jordan Telecom (about 40% of the company),and other
investments managed by Jordan Investment Corporation.

While these efforts have combined to make Jordan's
investment climate more welcoming, some large U.S. investors
reported "hidden costs" when investing in Jordan due to
bureaucracy, red tape, vague regulations and conflicting
jurisdictions. Investors should execute due diligence in
exploring investment opportunities and concluding purchases.

Conversion and Transfer Policies

Jordan's liberal foreign exchange law entitles foreign
investors to remit abroad, in a fully convertible foreign
currency, foreign capital invested, including all returns,
profits, and proceeds arising from the liquidation of
investment projects. Non-Jordanian administrative and
technical employees are permitted to transfer their salaries
and compensation abroad.

The Jordanian Dinar is fully convertible for all commercial
and capital transactions. The JD is pegged to the U.S.
dollar at an exchange rate of approximately 1 JD to US
$1.41.

Licensed money-exchangers are supervised by the central
bank, but are free to set their own exchange rates depending
on market conditions. Unlike banks, they do not pay the
central bank commissions for exchange transactions, giving
them a competitive edge over banks.

Other foreign exchange regulations include:

--Non-residents are allowed to open bank accounts in foreign
currencies. These accounts are exempted from all transfer-
related commission fees charged by the central bank.

-- Banks are permitted to purchase an unlimited amount of
foreign currency from their clients in exchange for JD on a
forward basis. Banks are permitted to engage in reverse
operations involving the selling of foreign currency in
exchange for JD on a forward deal basis for the purpose of
covering the value of imports.

-- There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign
currency that residents may hold in bank accounts, and there
are no ceilings on the amount residents are permitted to
transfer abroad.

-- Banks do not require prior central bank approval for the
transfer of funds, including investment-related transfers.

Expropriations and Compensation

There are no known cases where the government has
expropriated the private property of an investor.

Dispute Settlement

Under Jordanian law, foreign investors may seek third party
arbitration or an internationally recognized settlement of
disputes. The Jordanian government recognizes decisions
issued by the International Center for the Settlement of
Investment Disputes (ICSID),of which it is a member.
Jordan is also a member of the New York Convention of 1958
on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral
awards. In cases where the government (or its agencies) is
a party to the dispute, it generally prefers settlement in
local courts if an out-of-court settlement is not
forthcoming. Jordan abides by WTO dispute settlement
mechanisms. Dispute settlement mechanisms under the FTA are
consistent with WTO commitments.

Article IX of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT),
establishes procedures for dispute settlement.

A dispute between a U.S. investor and the Jordanian
government that was brought before an ICSID tribunal in 2002
was settled in May 2004.

In another instance, a foreign company investing in a joint
venture with a state-owned Jordanian corporation found that
the management contract for that Jordanian SOE partner had
been given to a rival without prior consultation. The
foreign investor is currently engaged with the GOJ in
exploring options for extrication of the SOE from the
partnership.
Jordan's Legal System
In the legislative process, draft laws are prepared by
various ministries, which are then submitted to the cabinet
and subsequently presented to the lower house of parliament
for consideration. Once passed by the lower house, draft
laws must be approved by the Senate. All laws require
royal assent and must be published in the National Gazette
before they come into force.

According to the constitution, the judiciary is independent
of other branches of the government. In some cases, it is
susceptible to political pressure and interference by the
executive.

The constitution classifies the judiciary into three
categories: religious courts, special courts (e.g., Military
court, Customs court, Income Tax Court) and regular courts.
Verdicts rendered by the Jordanian judiciary are based on
decisions made by a judge or a panel of judges.

General legal provisions are incorporated within the Civil
Code, unless a separate, more specialized law governs the
nature of the specific relationship.

Commercial activities are governed by the Commercial Code.
Business contracts, such as commercial agency and commission
agency contracts, are subject to the code's provisions.
Financial papers such as checks and promissory notes are
also dealt with under the Commercial Code.

Various provisions in the Commercial Code, the Civil Code,
and the Companies Law govern bankruptcy and insolvency. A
temporary Bankruptcy Law came into force in 2002.

Performance Requirements/Incentives

Following Jordan's accession to the WTO, the Trade-Related
Investment Measures (TRIMS) agreement came into force.
Investment and commercial laws do not contain any trade-
restrictive investment measures and have generally been in
compliance with TRIMS.

Investment incentives take the form of income tax and custom-
duties exemptions, which are granted to both Jordanian and
foreign investors.
The country is divided into three development areas: Zones
A, B, and C. Investments in Zone C, the least developed
areas of Jordan, receive the highest level of exemptions.

However, all agricultural, maritime transport, and railway
investments are classified as Zone C, irrespective of
location. Hotel and tourism-related projects set up along
the Dead Sea coastal area, leisure and recreational
compounds, and convention and exhibition centers receive
Zone A designations. Qualifying industrial zones (QIZS) are
Zoned according to their geographical location, unless they
apply for an exemption. The three-zone classification
scheme does not apply to nature reserves and environmental
protection areas, which are granted special consideration.

Specifically, the Investment Promotion Law allows:

-- Exemptions from income and social services taxes of up to
ten years for projects approved by the Investment Promotion
Committee (which includes senior officials from the Ministry
of Industry and Trade, Income Tax Department, Customs
Department, the private sector, and the Director General of
the Jordan Investment Board),in accordance with the
designated zone scheme:

-- 25 percent tax exemption for Zone A

-- 50 percent tax exemptions for Zone B

-- 75 percent tax exemptions for Zone C

An additional year of these tax exemptions is granted to
projects each time they undergo expansion, modernization, or
development resulting in a 25 percent increase in their
production capacity for a maximum of four years.

-- Capital goods are exempt from duties and taxes if
delivered within three years from the date of the investment
promotion committee's approval. The committee may extend
the three-year period if necessary.

-- Imported spare parts related to a specific project are
exempt from duties and taxes, provided that their value does
not exceed 15 percent of the value of fixed assets requiring
spare parts. They should be imported within ten years from
the production date.

-- Capital goods used for expansion and modernization of a
project are exempt from duties and taxes, provided they
result in at least a 25 percent increase in production
capacity.

-- Hotel and hospital projects receive exemptions from
duties and taxes on furniture and supply purchases, which
are required for modernization and renewal once every seven
years.

-- Increases in the value of imported capital goods are
exempt from duties and taxes if the increases result from
higher freight charges or changes in the exchange rate.

--In addition to the Investment Promotion Law, additional
exemptions are granted to investments within industrial
estates designated as Special Industrial Zones.

-- Industrial projects are granted exemptions on income and
social services taxes for a two-year period. Established
industrial facilities that relocate to an industrial estate
also receive this benefit.

-- Industrial projects are granted property tax exemptions
throughout their lifetime.

-- Industrial projects are granted partial or full
exemptions from most municipality and planning fees.

To promote exports, all exporters are granted the following
incentives:

-- Net profits generated from most export revenues are fully
exempt from income tax. Exceptions include fertilizer,
phosphate, and potash exports, in addition to exports
governed by specific trade protocols and foreign debt
repayment schemes. Under the WTO, the exemption is extended
until the end of 2005 and is expected to be extended again,
on annual bases, until the end of 2007.

-- Foreign inputs used in the production of exports are
exempt from custom duties and all additional import fees on
a reimbursable or drawback basis.

In addition, Qualifying Industrial Zone investments may be
eligible for further incentives and exemptions. For
example, at the end of 2004 the government was considering
lowering banks' guarantees and guest workers' work fees in
all QIZ factories. Studies had commenced to examine means
to ease and speed up the transport of QIZ production input
and output materials.

Foreign investors can bid for government-commissioned
research and development programs that are slated for
international or mixed bidders. Otherwise, they have to
find a Jordanian partner. This qualification will be
dropped once Jordan accedes to the WTO'S Government
Procurement Agreement (GPA),for which it submitted an
entities offer in 2004.

Investors have been hampered by a performance requirement
related to imports -- the so-called DAMAN program -- a
product conformity standards measure that has been enforced
through pre-shipment inspections. The program has not been
implemented in a transparent manner and appears to be
inconsistent with WTO principles of national treatment and
non-discrimination. The government was looking into means
to correct the problems with DAMAN at the end of 2004.

Right to Private Ownership and Establishment

In general, the laws on investment and property ownership
permit domestic and foreign entities to establish and own
businesses and engage in remunerative activities. However,
activities relevant to military and national security are
subject to different provisions and procedures.

Foreign companies may open representative (regional) and
branch offices; branch offices may carry out full business
activities, while regional offices may serve as liaisons
between head offices and Jordanian or regional clients. The
Ministry of Industry and Trade manages the government's
policy on setting up regional and branch offices.

No foreign firm may import goods without appointing an agent
registered in Jordan; the agent may be a branch office or a
wholly owned subsidiary of the foreign firm, notwithstanding
the limitations on foreign ownership in certain sectors.
The agent's connection to the foreign company must be
direct, without a sub-agent or intermediary. A Commercial
Agents and Intermediaries Law governs the contract between
foreign firms and commercial agents. It clearly delineates
the distinction between commercial agency and distribution
contracts relationships. Private foreign entities, whether
licensed under sole foreign ownership or as a joint venture,
compete on an equal basis with local companies.

Foreign nationals and firms are permitted to own or lease
property in Jordan for investment purposes and personal use,
provided that their home country permits reciprocal property
ownership rights for Jordanians; property intended for
investment should be developed within five years from the
date of approval. Depending on the size and location of the
property, the Lands and Surveys Department, its Director
General, the Minister of Finance or the Cabinet are the
authorities that approve foreign ownership of land and
property. Foreign companies holding a majority share in a
Jordanian company, as well as wholly owned subsidiaries,
automatically obtain national treatment with respect to
ownership of land where the company's business objectives
require (e.g., agriculture),or allow for, ownership of land
or real estate.

Protection of Property Rights

Interest in property (moveable and real) is recognized,
enforced and recorded through reliable legal processes. The
legal system facilitates and protects the acquisition and
disposition of all property rights.

Prior to its accession to the WTO, Jordan passed several new
laws to improve protection of intellectual property rights
(IPR),patents, copyrights, and trademarks. TRIPS (Trade
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)-consistent
laws now protect trade secrets, plant varieties and
semiconductor chip designs. The law requires registration
of copyrights, patents and trademarks. Copyrights must be
registered at the National Library, part of the Ministry of
Industry and Trade. Patents must be registered with the
Registrar of Patents and trademarks at the Ministry of
Industry and Trade. Jordan has signed the Patent
Cooperation Treaty and to the protocol relating to the
Madrid Agreement Concerning the Registration of Marks but
ratification was still pending at the end of 2004.

Jordan's pharmaceutical industry generally abides by the new
TRIPS-consistent Patent Law. In addition, in signing the
FTA, Jordan committed to even stronger enforcement of IPR,
particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. It acceded to
the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties
on copyrights (WCT) and performances and phonographs (WPPT).
Jordanian firms are now seeking joint ventures and licensing
agreements with multinational partners.

Jordan's record on IPR enforcement has improved. However,
effective enforcement mechanisms and legal procedures are
still not completed and are in need of further refinement.
As a result, the government's record on IPR protection
remains mixed. A sizeable portion of videos and software
sold in the marketplace continues to be pirated.
Enforcement action against audio/video and software piracy
is growing in quantity and improving in its targeting
capability, but successful prosecution of piracy cases
remains spotty.

Transparency of the Regulatory System

The government is slowly implementing policies to improve
competition and foster transparency. These reforms aim to
change an existing system that can be influenced greatly by
family affiliations and business ties. Although in many
instances bureaucratic procedures have been streamlined, red
tape and opaque procedures still present problems for
foreign and domestic investors. The arbitrary application
of customs, tax, labor, health and other laws or
regulations, particularly at the level of local government,
have impeded investment.
In 2004, the government continued its aggressive strategy to
promote e-government. The government has pledged to make
its services, regulations, and procurement procedures more
accessible and transparent via e-government.
Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment
Jordan's capital market capitalization reached US $17.8
billion at the end of Nov 2004 (around 187 percent of GDP),
breaking the record since the exchange was established in

1978.

The Amman Financial Market (AFM) is divided among the Jordan
Securities Commission (JSC),the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE)
and the Securities Depository Center (SDC). The SDC is the
custodian for all transaction contracts, clearing and
settlement. The JSC was established as the government's
supervisory and monitoring agency for the capital market in
Jordan. The government passed the Securities Law in 2002,
which brought it more in line with international best
practices.

There are 31 brokerage firms and 191 listed public-
shareholding companies on the ASE that cover the First and
Second markets. At the end of November 2004, shares owned
by non-Jordanians represented 41.2 percent of the ASE market
capitalization, where Arab investors own 31.2 percent and
other foreigners own 10 percent.

The ASE also suffers from intermittent liquidity problems,
which have ensured that the bourse remains prone to
speculative movements. Structural problems (such as lack of
transparency, corporate governance, and the dearth of mutual
funds) have been exacerbated by the insufficiency of
institutional buying and wavering investor confidence.

The Central Bank, on behalf of the Ministry of Finance,
conducts regular auctions of six-month treasury bills and
three-year treasury bonds. Treasury bonds and bills and
development bonds (equivalent to Treasury Bonds) are listed
on the ASE. Monthly trading volume averages for the first
11 month of 2004 were JD 293 million (US $413 million) and
reached JD 481 million (US $679 million) in November 2004.
Despite this low volume, markets are actively quoted on
development bonds each trading day. These quotes provide
the basis for the benchmark yield curve published daily on
the Central Bank Reuters pages and in the local Arabic
newspapers. The Ministry of Finance has been issuing bonds
of differing maturities since 2002, lengthening the yield
curve. The Central Bank also introduced a primary dealer
plan designed to increase liquidity in the secondary market,
though the program has to this point been unsuccessful in
achieving this goal. A Public Debt Law allows for an
increase in the volume of bond and bill issuance by the
Treasury.

Government bond and bill ownership is registered in book-
entry form at the Central Bank. Commercial banks maintain
sub-registries. Foreign investors are welcome to
participate in auctions and to purchase government
securities.

The corporate bond market remains under-developed, and
continues to be over-shadowed by traditional direct lending.
One reason is rigid interest rates; another relates to the
absence of a secondary market for such issues.
Increasingly, however, some banks have started introducing
new products and corporate bond issues. New bond issues for
the first 11 months of 2004 totaled JD 173 million (US $244
million),compared to JD 57.5 million (US $81 million) in

2003.

One flaw in the credit market is the lack of long-term
credit, owing to the short-term nature of banks' deposit
structure. On average, regular corporate loans are extended
for periods of 1-3 years, while syndicated loans may reach
up to 7 years. Long-term financing had been stymied by the
Ottoman-era law stipulating that total interest payments
over the life of a bond could not be greater than the
principal amount, thus effectively impeding the development
of longer-maturity fixed-income instruments. However, the
Public Debt law scrapped this requirement, allowing for
longer maturities and increased volumes.

The absence of long-term credit discourages projects
requiring long development periods. As a consequence, large
investment projects often resort to foreign markets to raise
capital.

The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) is the banking system's
regulatory authority. Jordanian banks have recovered from
an economic slow-down of the late-1990s, and in 2004 the CBJ
estimated that non-performing loans totaled less than 20
percent of all loans.
A banking law, which aims at improving the industry's
efficiency, came into force in 2000. The law protects
depositors' interests, diminishes money market risk, guards
against the concentration of lending, and includes articles
on new banking practices (e-commerce and e-banking) and
money laundering. The CBJ has issued a number of circulars
throughout 2003-2004 to implement money-laundering
regulations that are consistent with the recommendations of
the OECD's Financial Action Task Force, and has recently
drafted a law to codify these regulations. It also allows
market forces greater influence to encourage the development
of financial markets. In addition, the CBJ set up a
separate and independent Deposit Insurance Corporation in
late 2000 that ensures deposits of up to JD 10,000 (US
$14,000). The corporation also acts as the liquidator of
banks as directed by the CBJ.

The CBJ established a credit bureau for bounced checks in

2001. The bureau requires banks to report on a timely basis
the names of account holders with bounced checks. Following
a third report of a bounced check, the CBJ circulates the
names of the account holders to all banks with instructions
to withhold check-books and any other facilities for a
certain period of time.

As of the end of 2003, the Arab Bank and the Housing Bank
were the two largest banks in Jordan, with total assets of
JD 17.4 billion (US $24.5 billion) and JD 1.6 billion (US
$2.2 billion),respectively. The difference between their
asset bases owes to the vast difference in their scope of
operations; the Arab Bank has a worldwide presence, while
the Housing Bank's prime focus is the local market.
Although the Central Bank distinguishes between "investment
banks" and "commercial banks", there are no significant
differences in the operations of the two.

Banks offer loans, discounted bills, and overdraft
facilities. Investment banks are not permitted to extend
overdraft facilities. The Central Bank permits banks to
extend loans and credit facilities in foreign currency. In
such cases, it requires debt repayment to be in the
denominated foreign currency.

A number of banks have established mutual funds. New
capital instruments such as commercial paper and convertible
bonds are under consideration. In addition to long-term
instruments, securitization, short-selling, and treasury
stocks are being introduced in some banks.

A banking scandal that reportedly involved fraudulent
activity and embezzlement of around US $120 million emerged
in February 2002 and involved some prominent Jordanians and
loans drawn from three banks. However, the Central Bank
took adequate action to reassure depositors and restore calm
to the market. In addition, the sector did not suffer any
significant shocks during the 2003 war in Iraq either due to
significant exposure to trade with Iraq or to runs on bank
deposits at the outbreak of the conflict. As a result, the
health of the banking system and its resilience are not in
question. Iraqi Government assets in Jordanian banks were
frozen in early 2003 and US $250 million was returned to the
Development Fund for Iraq.

With respect to ownership and participation in the major
economic sectors in Jordan, there is no apparent
discrimination against foreign participation. In fact, many
Jordanian businesses seek foreign partners, which are
perceived as the key to increased competitiveness and easier
entry into international markets.
There are a number of internationally recognized accounting
and auditing firms in Jordan. The government's accounting
and auditing regulations are consistent with international
standards and are internationally recognized.

Political Violence

Some incidents of political violence and terrorist
activities have occurred in Jordan, though these have not
directly affected foreign business interests. While Jordan
enjoys political stability, events in the region,
particularly in the West Bank and Gaza, can trigger small
demonstrations and anti-U.S. hostility.

The government of Jordan is proactive in maintaining public
security, containing demonstrations and preventing terrorist
attacks. The potential for politically motivated violence,
however, remains. Visitors should consult current State
Department public announcements.

Corruption

Corruption is a crime in Jordan. The General Intelligence
Directorate (GID) has an anti-corruption department that is
responsible for combating bribery, extortion, and other
similar crimes. Attempts to establish similar, transparent
entities outside the security service so far have not been
successful. A draft financial disclosure law requiring
public office holders and specified government officials to
declare their assets is under consideration in parliament.

Influence peddling and a lack of transparency have been
alleged in government procurement and dispute settlement.
"Wasta", the use of family, business, and other personal
connections to advance personal business interests, is
endemic.

Bilateral Trade/Investment Agreements

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and Jordan
entered into force in December 2001. The agreement mandates
that a free trade area between the two countries will be
attained following a gradual phasing out of import duties
and other trade barriers over ten years. The agreement
incorporates labor, environmental, and intellectual property
rights provisions.

A Bilateral Investment Treaty between Jordan and the United
States entered into force in 2003. The agreement provides
reciprocal protection of Jordanian and U.S. individual and
corporate investments.

Jordan is a member of a pan-Arab accord on facilitating the
movement of capital between Arab countries. Countries that
have signed the accord include Jordan, UAE, Bahrain,
Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Libya, Egypt,
Morocco, Qatar, Syria, and Lebanon.

An economic association agreement between Jordan and the
European Union that establishes free trade over a twelve-
year period entered into force in 2002. This agreement
calls for the free movement of capital, as well as
cooperation on development and political issues.

In 2004, Jordan signed a Free Trade Agreement with
Singapore. In the same year, Jordan completed the Agadir
trade agreement with Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia and
upgraded its trade agreement with Israel to take advantage
of accumulation of content provisions in the EU's Pan-Euro-
Mediterranean trade rules of origin.

OPIC and other Investment Insurance Programs

Investments in Jordan are eligible for Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC) insurance and private
financing.

Jordan is also a member of the Multilateral Investment
Guarantee Agency (MIGA),a World Bank Agency, which
guarantees investment against non-commercial risks such as
civil war, nationalization, policy changes, etc. The
program covers investments in Jordan irrespective of the
investor's nationality, in addition to covering Jordanian
investments abroad.

Several European countries have official debt-for-equity
swap programs that are open to investors of all
nationalities.

Labor

The rate of population growth (births minus deaths) is about
2.5 percent a year. 50% of the population is under the age
of 20. In general, the labor force is well educated.
Literacy rates approach 94.5 percent for men and 83.5
percent for women. Jordan has a labor force of 1.17 million
and an unemployment rate of approximately 12.5 percent.

The officially estimated 140,000 foreign laborers in Jordan
work primarily in unskilled sectors, such as construction,
agriculture, and domestic service. They constitute around
12 percent of the labor force. The Ministry of Labor
regulates foreign worker licensing, licensing fees,
prohibited sectors, and employer liability. Among its
responsibilities, the ministry approves the hiring of
professional foreign workers by private businesses. Non-
citizens are not permitted by law to join unions, though the
Ministry of Industry and Trade maintains that such workers
enjoy any benefits and protections that unions obtain.

Labor unions serve primarily as intermediaries between
workers and the Ministry of Labor, and may engage in
collective bargaining on behalf of workers. In order to
strike, workers must obtain permission from the government.
Currently, about 30 percent of the total labor force,
including government service, is unionized. However, this
figure includes numerous professional associations where
membership is mandatory.

Article 28 of the Labor Law specifies the conditions under
which an employer can discharge a worker without notice.
Article 31 allows employers to lay off employees if economic
or technical circumstances necessitate reorganization. The
law does not require employers to include retirement plans
in their employment package. However, if the employer
agreed to provide retirement benefits when the worker was
contracted, the employer must fulfill his/her commitment.
The Social Security Law stipulates that if the employer has
more than five employees, they must be enrolled in the
social security system. The Labor Law also addresses worker
compensation and outlines compensatory categories for work-
related injuries. Article 67 provides unpaid maternity
leave for a maximum of one year for mothers working in firms
employing 10 or more workers, and article 70 requires full
pay for 10 weeks of maternity leave. The law provides for
14 calendar days of annual leave for employees during the
first five years with the employer, and 21 calendar days
after five years of successive service. This law places
Jordan in compliance with international and Arab labor
agreements.

Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports

The Zarqa Free Zone is Jordan's major free zone area. Other
areas include the Sahab Industrial Estate Free Zone, Queen
Alia International Airport Free Zone, and the Gateway
Qualifying Industrial Zone.

In May 2001, the government converted the Aqaba port and
surrounding area into a special economic zone (SEZ) with
streamlined bureaucracy, lower taxes, and facilitated
customs handling.

Both Jordanian and foreign investors are permitted to invest
in trade, services, and industrial projects in free zones.
Industrial projects must fulfill one of the following
conditions:

-- New industries which depend on advanced technology;

-- Industries requiring raw material and/or locally
manufactured parts that are locally available;

-- Industries that complement domestic industries;

-- Industries that enhance labor skills and promote
technical know-how;

-- Industries providing consumer goods, and that contribute
to reducing market dependency on imported goods.

The following incentives are granted to investors in the
designated free zones:

-- Profits are exempt from income and social services taxes
for a period of twelve years, with the exception of profits
generated from storage services that involve goods released
to the domestic market.

-- Salaries and allowances payable TO non-Jordanian
employees are exempt from income and social services taxes.

-- Goods imported to and/or exported from free zones are
exempt from import taxes and customs duties, with the
exception of goods released to the domestic market.

-- Industrial goods manufactured in free zones enjoy partial
customs duties exemption once released to the domestic
market, depending on the proportion of the value of local
inputs and locally incurred production costs.

-- Construction projects are exempt from licensing fees and
urban property taxes.

-- Free transfer of capital invested in free zones,
including profits.

Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ)

Approved goods produced in a "Qualifying Industrial Zone"
(QIZ) can be imported into the United States free of duty if
they involve economic cooperation between Jordan and Israel,
and if 35 percent of the product's content comes from the
QIZ, Israel, and/or the West Bank/Gaza. This makes
investment in a QIZ particularly attractive to industries
whose products are assessed with high tariffs when they are
imported into the U.S. There are currently 13 QIZs, three
of which are publicly owned; the remaining ten are privately
owned. As of December 2004, the bulk of QIZ exporters have
been concentrating on garment exports. Since 1999, the QIZs
have attracted US $450 million in capital investments,
generated over US $2 billion in exports to the U.S., and
created over 40,000 new jobs.

Foreign Direct Investment Statistics

Official statistics on foreign direct investment (FDI) are
not publicly available.

The UNCTAD's world development report 2003 estimates FDI
inflows into Jordan at US $787 million, $100 million and $56
million for 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively. The Jordan
Investment Board approved foreign investment projects worth
about US $185 million, $118 million and $134 million for the
years 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The following
statistics should be interpreted as indicating trends rather
than exact figures. Note that figures may differ from
previous years due to revisions in the data series.

Total Registered Capital by Economic Sector
(`000 Jordanian Dinars at year end)
(1 JD= US $1.41)

Sector 2002 2003 2004

Industry 770,809 784,879
795,950
Foreign 26.3% 26.3%
26.2%

Trade 1,146,173 1,192,243
1,246,689
foreign 12.9% 14.4%
15.2%

Agriculture 39,798 39,934
40,272
foreign 50.3% 50.1%
49.8%

Construction 238,137 242,981
249,930
foreign 1.4% 1.5%
1.5%

Services 1,833,598 1,867,051
1,945,303
foreign 47.2% 46.7%
45.5%

Others 3,029,948 3,235,911
3,364,091
foreign 35.5% 37.6%
37.4%

Total 7,058,463 7,362,999
7,642,236
foreign 32.8% 33.8%
33.6%



Annual Registered Capital Inflows by Economic Sector
(`000 USD)

Sector 2002 2003 2004

Industry 9,297 14,069 11,072
foreign 21.6% 22.6% 19.9%

Trade 25,515 46,070 54,446
foreign 29.1% 52.5% 33.6%

Agriculture 612 136 339
foreign 26.5% 0.0% 20.8%
Construction 6,516 4,844 6,949
foreign 0.0% 6.3% 2.1%

Services 31,528 33,453 78,252
foreign 19.2% 14.8% 17.1%

Others 107,383 205,963 128,180
foreign 24.1% 69.4% 32.0%
Total 180,851 304,536 279,237
foreign 23.0% 57.6% 26.9%

(* The Percentage Figure Reflects the Size of Foreign
Capital to Total Capital)
(Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade)



According to these measurements, FDI Stock and FDI Inflows
as a percentage of GDP at current market prices are:

2002 2003 2004

GDP (JD million) 6,699 7,056 7,670
GDP (US $million) 9,449 9,952 10,818
FDI Stock 24.5% 25.0% 23.7%
FDI Inflows 1.9% 3.1% 2.6%



Total Foreign Registered Capital by Country of Origin
(`000 USD)

2002 2003
2004

Total 7,058,463 7,362,999
7,642,236
JORDANIAN 4,744,620 4,873,601
5,077,766
DANISH (1) 470,554 470,571
470,571
SAUDI 325,642 328,843
337,034
IRAQI 246,873 263,101
294,944
EGYPTIAN 94,208 222,469
226,464
KUWAITI 187,391 187,532
188,396
SYRIAN 156,241 158,785
162,760
UAE 148,163 155,568
155,988
BRITISH 86,796 89,091
90,625
AMERICAN 80,922 81,723
84,310
LIBYAN 61,347 61,629
61,770
QATARI 47,849 48,145
48,301
BAHRAINI 42,783 42,935
43,312
LEBANESE 35,773 36,963
38,531
INDIAN 35,681 36,379
37,186
PALESTINIAN 32,029 33,146
34,238
SUDANESE 24,305 24,305
24,587

(Source: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

NOTE ON THE DANISH INVESTMENT:

1. On March 1, 2001 the Arab Bank/France Telecom
consortium, the main partner in JT, had adjusted the Atlas
Services Denmark (France Telecom) shares from 88,000 to
331,767,744. Since the consortium was originally registered
on Jan 17, 2000, this capital adjustment is reflected in the
Foreign Registered Capital for the Year 2000. France
Telecom is using a Danish subsidiary/arm to invest in the
consortium, hence the investment is showing as Danish.

END TEXT OF INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT

HALE