2020 Investment Climate Statements: Jordan

Policies Towards Foreign Direct Investment

Jordan is largely open to foreign investment, and the government is committed to supporting foreign investment. Foreign and local investors are treated equally under the law. The Jordan Investment Commission is the body responsible for implementing the 2014 Investment Law and promoting new and existing investment in Jordan, through a range of measures to incentivize and facilitate investment procedures. The Investment Council, established by the law, which is comprised of the Prime Minister, ministers with economic portfolios, and representatives from the private sector, oversees the management and development of the national investment policy, and is responsible for legislative and economic reforms to facilitate investment.

Investment Law No. 30/2014 identifies the Commission as the key reference point for investors and grants additional authorities to the Investment Window to facilitate and accelerate investment registration. The President of the Commission and the administrative team supervise and centrally approve investment-related matters within the guidelines set by the Investment Council and approved by the government.

The Investment Commission can expedite the provision of government services and provide a number of investment incentives, tax, and customs exemptions. An investment-dedicated “One Window” (https://www.jic.gov.jo/en/  ) provides information and technical assistance to investors, with a mandate to simplify registration and licensing procedures for investment projects that benefit from the Investment Law. In 2018, the Commission launched a “Follow-Up and After Care” section with an aim to remove obstacles facing investors and find appropriate solutions as part of the investment process.

Limits on Foreign Control and Right to Private Ownership and Establishment

Investment and property laws allow domestic and foreign entities to establish businesses that engage in remunerative activities. Foreign companies may open regional and branch offices, branch offices may carry out full business activities, and regional offices may serve as liaisons between head offices and Jordanian or regional clients. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply’s Companies Control Department implements the government’s policy on the establishment of regional and branch offices.

Foreign nationals and firms are permitted to own or lease property in Jordan for investment purposes and are allowed one residence for personal use, provided that their home country permits reciprocal property ownership rights for Jordanians. Depending on the size and location of the property, the Land and Survey Department, the Ministry of Finance, and/or the Cabinet may need to approve foreign ownership of land and property, which must then be developed within five years after the date of approval.

In April 2019, the government amended its regulations governing foreign ownership, expanding ownership percentage in some economic activities, while maintaining the following restrictions::

• Foreigners are prohibited from wholly or partially owning investigation and security services, stone quarrying operations for construction purposes, customs clearance services, and bakeries of all kinds; and are prohibited from trading in weapons and fireworks. The Cabinet, however, may approve foreign ownership of projects in these sectors upon the recommendation of the Investment Council. To qualify for the exemption, projects must be categorized as being highly valuable to the national economy.
• Investors are limited to 50 percent ownership in certain businesses and services, including retail and wholesale trading, engineering consultancy services, exchange houses apart from banks and financial services companies, maritime, air and land transportation services, and related services.
• Foreign firms may not 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. The agent’s connection to the foreign company must be direct, without a sub-agent or intermediary. The Commercial Agents and Intermediaries Law No. 28/2001 governs contractual agreements between foreign firms and commercial agents. Private foreign entities, whether licensed under sole foreign ownership or as a joint venture, compete on an equal basis with local companies.

However, according to the Bilateral Investment Treaty with Jordan, U.S. investors are granted several exceptions and are accorded the same treatment as Jordanian nationals, allowing U.S. investors to maintain 100 percent ownership in some restricted businesses. The most up-to-date listing of limitations on investments is available in the FTA Annex 3.1 and may be found at http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/jordan-fta/final-text.

For national security purposes, foreign investors must undergo security screening through the Ministry of Interior, which can be finalized through the “One Window” located at the Investment Commission.

Other Investment Policy Reviews

Jordan has been a World Trade Organization (WTO) member since 2000. The WTO conducted Jordan’s second Trade Policy Review  in November 2015.

In 2012, the United States and Jordan agreed to Statements of Principles for International Investment and for Information and Communication Technology Services, and a Trade and Investment Partnership Bilateral Action Plan, each of which is designed to increase transparency, openness, and governmental and private sector cooperation. The two parties also began discussions on a Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation Agreement. All current treaties and agreements in force between the United States and Jordan may be found here: https://www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/tif/.

In follow up on OECD’s Investment Policy Review of Jordan and Jordan’s adherence to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises in 2013, the MENA-OECD competitiveness program issued a report in 2018 entitled “Enhancing the legal framework for sustainable investment: Lessons from Jordan” (http://www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/Enhancing-the-Legal-Framework-for-Sustainable-Investment-Lessons-from-Jorden.pdf ).

Business Facilitation

Businesses in Jordan need to register with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply’s Companies Control Department, or the Chambers of Commerce or Industry depending on the type of business they conduct; open a bank account, obtain a tax identification number, and obtain a VAT number. They also need to obtain a vocational license from the municipality, receive a health inspection, and register with the Social Security Corporation. In November 2017, the government issued a decision to cancel all non-security related pre-approvals for registering a business and require all approvals before starting operations.

The “Investment Window” at the Jordan Investment Commission (www.jic.gov.jo ) serves as a comprehensive investment center for investors. The window provides its services to both local and foreign investors, particularly those in the agricultural sector, medical, tourism, industrial, ICT-Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and energy sectors. In 2018, the commission introduced a fast track for investors at Queen Alia International Airport.

In 2017, the Commission further streamlined procedures to register and license investment projects in development zones, introducing a Fast Track Investment Window, reducing the number of committee approvals from 23 to 13, and reducing registration procedures from 15 to 5. These changes reduced the typical time period required to register in development zones from five days to one day. Additionally, the time period to grant exemptions under the investment law has been reduced from two weeks to one, and the time period to grant exemptions under the decisions of the Prime Minister from seven days to one.

Jordan has also adopted a single security approval to replace the 11 approvals that were previously required for new investors. The new approval covers registering and licensing the company, obtaining driving licenses for investors, possessing immovable property for the establishment of investment projects in the industrial and developing zones, in addition to granting residence permits to non-Jordanian investors and their family members. The Companies Control Department has developed and launched a portal for online registration: http://www.ccd.gov.jo/ 

The commission has published a number of online guides, including the investor guide (https://www.jic.gov.jo/en/investor-guide/ ).

In November 2019, under the Jordan Investment Commission’s (JIC), the government introduced several new services including the issuance and renewal investor IDs, issuance and renewal of IDs for investors’ family members, registration of institutions in development zones, first-time registration of individual institutions, changing the method of use, registration and renewal of subscriptions to the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC), amendments to subscriptions to the ACC, and issuance of environmental permits. The introduction of these electronic services reduced the time period needed to grant or renew an investor card (an ID card for investors used to facilitate various transactions) to one day. (https://www.jic.gov.jo/en/ ).

In accordance with the Investor Grievances Bylaw No. 163 of 2019, the JIC established a unit to follow up on and address investor complaints, with the aim to resolve legal disputes outside of the formal court proceedings and reduce related cost.

In the 2020 World Bank Group’s Doing Business report  Jordan ranked 75 out of 190. This improvement was attributed to reforms regarding the legal rights of borrowers and lenders, the introduction of a unified legal framework for secured transactions, launching a notice-based collateral registry, improvements to the insolvency law, and implementation of an electronic filing and payment for labor taxes and other mandatory contributions. The number of payments that businesses need to file every year was also cut from twenty-three to nine.

Outward Investment

Jordan does not have a mechanism in place to specifically incentivize outward investment.

In addition to the United States, Jordan has signed bilateral investment treaties with 57 countries including the European Union, Singapore, and Canada. Jordan’s bilateral investment treaty with the United States entered into effect in 2003 and provides reciprocal protection of Jordanian and U.S. individual and corporate investments. (https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/43565.pdf)

The U.S. Congress enacted the Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) initiative in 1996 to support the Middle East peace process. Goods produced in the 13 designated QIZs in Jordan can be imported into the United States tariff and quota free under the agreement if at least 35 percent of the product’s content comes from the QIZ, Israel, or West Bank/Gaza. Of that 35 percent, a minimum 11.7 percent of value must be added in the QIZ, eight percent in Israel, and 15.3 percent in a Jordanian QIZ, Israel, or the West Bank/Gaza. The QIZs have attracted over USD 1 billion in capital investments, generated around USD 9.2 billion in exports to the U.S. between 2006 and 2013, and currently employ more than 47,000 workers; about one-quarter of whom are Jordanians. The bulk of QIZ exports are garments.

The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA)(https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/jordan-fta), which entered into force in 2001 and came into full effect in January 2010, does not supersede or eliminate the QIZ initiative. Nevertheless, exports under QIZ requirements considerably shrank as exporters took advantage of the FTA’s broader mandate. FTA rules of origin simply require 35 percent Jordanian content without other restrictions.

While the United States remains one of Jordan’s top trading partners and largest export market, Jordan maintains an active trade relationship with neighboring countries and has been actively pursuing enhanced trade arrangements globally. Jordan is a member of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), which has been in force since 1998. The GAFTA reached full trade liberalization of goods in 2005 through full exemption of customs duties and charges for all 17 Arab member states, with the exception of gradual reductions for Sudan and Yemen. Jordan has also signed trade preference agreements and bilateral free trade agreements with various Arab neighbors, including Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, the UAE, Algeria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Kuwait, Sudan, and Bahrain.

An economic association agreement between Jordan and the European Union (EU) entered into force in 2002 to establish free trade over a twelve-year period. This agreement calls for the free movement of capital as well as cooperation on development and political issues. Jordan also signed a Free Trade Area Agreement in 2001 with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland); this agreement completed the transitional period in 2014. In 2016, Jordan and the European Union agreed on new rules of origin designed to facilitate Jordanian exports to the EU manufactured with set percentages of Syrian labor content. Jordan and the EU are discussing potential revisions to this agreement.

With respect to other agreements, Jordan signed a Free Trade Agreement with Singapore in 2004. In addition to enhancing bilateral trade ties, the agreement aimed to create new export opportunities for Jordanian products worldwide through the possibility of diagonal accumulation of origin with countries that have concluded free trade agreements with both Jordan and Singapore. That 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 European Union’s Pan Euro-Mediterranean trade rules of origin. Jordan signed a Free Trade Agreement with Canada in 2009 which came into effect in October 2012. The FTA with Canada eliminates all non-agricultural tariffs and most agricultural tariffs. A similar agreement with Turkey was also signed in November 2009 and entered into effect on March 1, 2011; in early 2018 Jordan suspended this agreement and negotiated a new framework economic agreement in 2019. Jordan has also signed with Iraq a number of Memoranda of Understanding for bilateral cooperation in various sectors such as education, health, energy, transportation, and trade.

Jordan concluded double taxation avoidance agreements with 31 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, in addition to Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, UAE, and others. Jordan signed its first double taxation agreement in 1981 with Romania, and the latest with Saudi Arabia in 2018. The terms of each agreement vary to match the priorities of each signatory, but often include income tax, corporate tax, capital gain, social service tax, and gains generated by the alienation of movable and immovable property.

Jordan does not have a double taxation agreement with the United States.

Transparency of the Regulatory System

Legal, regulatory and accounting policies, applicable to both domestic and foreign investors, are transparent and promote competition. However, historically red tape and bureaucratic procedures, particularly at the local government level, presented problems for foreign and domestic investors.

The government is gradually implementing policies to improve competition and foster transparency in implementation. These reforms aim to change an existing system influenced in the past by family affiliations and business ties. The Jordan Investment Commission (JIC), through its Fast Track Investment Window, introduced a number of measures to streamline the investment process. All laws and regulations are usually published on the website of the Legislative and Opinion Bureau for public commenting, in addition to executive branch consultations, with the legislative branch and key stakeholders.

Most economic regulations are available on the Jordan Investment Commission website (https://www.jic.gov.jo/ar/investment-regulations-2/ ), or on the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Supply website (https://www.mit.gov.jo/Default/AR). All regulations are published in the Official Gazette (http://pm.gov.jo/newspaper ) or the Legislative and Opinion Bureau (http://www.lob.jo/ ).

The commission issued and published a services and licensing guides outlining processes and fees, in addition to the incentives guide (https://www.jic.gov.jo/en/services-guide/ ). Guides are currently available in Arabic.

Jordan is committed to its fiscal transparency policy, therefore the Ministry of Finance (MoF) publishes a monthly “General Government Finance Bulletin” and that includes detailed information on government’s debt obligations. (www.mof.gov.jo/Portals/0/Mof_content/النشرات والبيانات المالية/نشرة مالية الحكومة/2016/Arabic PDF December 2016.pdf  ).

International Regulatory Considerations

Jordan recognizes and accepts most U.S. standards and specifications. However, Jordan has occasionally required additional product standards for imports. Some of these measures have been viewed as barriers to trade, such as a 2014 restriction imposed on packaging sizes for poultry available for retail resale.

As a member country of the WTO, Jordan is obliged to notify all draft technical regulations to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).

Jordan is a signatory of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. As of March 2018, Jordan had implemented 81.5 percent of its commitments. Jordan submitted its notifications for Category A before the agreement came into force, and is currently in the final review for categories B and C.

Legal System and Judicial Independence

Jordan has a mixed legal system based on civil law, Sharia Law (Islamic Law), and customary law. The Constitution establishes the judiciary as one of three separate and independent branches of government. Jordanian commercial laws do not make a distinction between Jordanian and non-Jordanian investors. However, plaintiffs complain of judicial backlogs and subsequent delays in legal proceedings. Jordan has introduced economic judicial chambers, established under the Amman First Instance Court and Amman Appeal Court under the provisions of the Law of Formation of the amended Courts No. 30 of 2017. These chambers specialize in the adjudication of certain commercial and investment disputes mentioned in Article 4 of the Courts Formation Law.

Laws and Regulations on Foreign Direct Investment

Jordan’s Investment Law governs local and foreign investment. The law consolidated three entities – the Jordan Investment Board, the Jordanian Development Zones Commission, and the Free Zones Corporation – into the Jordan Investment Commission. The law incorporates a statement of investors’ rights and a legal framework for the newly established Investment Window, which is located at the Investment Commission’s headquarters.

The commission issued and published services and licensing guides outlining processes and fees, in addition to other guides ( https://www.jic.gov.jo/en/publications/ ). The commission also issued a new bylaw that regulates non-Jordanian investments to increase investors’ confidence and attract more foreign investment.

In September 2017, Parliament passed the Monitoring and Inspection of Economic Activities Law No. 33/2017, and amendments to Jordan’s Companies Law No. 34/2017. This law governs the requirements to establish venture capital companies for the purpose of direct investment, or for creating funds, to contribute or invest in high-growth companies that are not listed in the stock market.

In 2018, Jordan passed the Insolvency Law, Movable Assets and Secured Lending Law and Bylaw, the Venture Capital Bylaw, and the Income Tax Law, along with bylaws to ensure proper implementation.

In October 2019, Jordan published an amended Social Security Law stipulating temporary changes to the social security contributions of newly registered entities that meet specific conditions, with an aim to support new companies and startups. The government also issued the Investor Grievance Bylaw and established a special unit to follow up on investors cases. It is also offering 10-year “incentive stability guarantees” to new investors. In January 2020, Jordan passed a new Public Private Partnership (PPP) law, and established a PPP unit to identify and study investment opportunities.

There is no systematic or legal discrimination against foreign participation with respect to ownership and participation in Jordan’s major economic sectors other than the restrictions outlined in the governing regulations. In fact, many Jordanian businesses actively seek engagement with foreign partners as a way to increase their competitiveness and access to other international markets. The government’s efforts have made Jordan’s official investment climate welcoming; however, some U.S. investors have reported hidden costs, citing bureaucratic red tape, vague regulations, and conflicting jurisdictions.

For further details please contact:

Investment Window
Jordan Investment Commission
Telephone: +962 (6) 5608400/9 Ext: 120
P.O.Box 893
Amman 11821 Jordan
E-mail: info@jic.gov.jo

Competition and Anti-Trust Laws

The Jordanian parliament passed amendments to Competition Law No. 33/2004 in 2011 to strengthen the local economic environment and attract foreign investment by providing incentives to improve market competitiveness, protect small and medium enterprises from restrictive anticompetitive practices, and give consumers access to high quality products at competitive prices. The Competition Directorate at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply conducts market research, examines complaints, and reports violators to the judicial system.

The investor grievance unit established in 2019 at the Jordan Investment Commission can also look into unfair competition cases filed by investors.

Expropriation and Compensation

Article 11 of the Jordanian Constitution stipulates that expropriations are prohibited unless specifically deemed to be in the public interest. In cases of expropriation, the law mandates provision of fair compensation to the investor in convertible currency.

Dispute Settlement

ICSD and New York Conventions

Since 1972, Jordan has been a contracting state to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID Convention). Only a small number of cases between foreign investors and the Jordanian government have been brought before ICSID tribunals. Jordan is also a signatory to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (1958 New York convention).

In January 2018, the Parliament passed amendments to Arbitration Law 2017, which aims to facilitate the use of arbitration as an alternative to dispute settlement procedures.

Investor-State Dispute Settlement

Under domestic law, foreign investors may seek third party arbitration as a means of settling disputes. Jordan abides by WTO dispute settlement mechanisms, and dispute settlement mechanisms under the U.S.-Jordan FTA are consistent with WTO commitments. Article IX of the United States-Jordan Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) establishes procedures for dispute settlements between Jordanians and U.S. persons.

Investment disputes are treated as any other commercial or civil dispute in the Jordanian judicial system. Investment agreements with the Jordanian government as a party generally contain a dispute resolution clause that would refer cases to arbitration in Jordan. On average, it takes three to four years for cases that go through the local court system to reach a verdict. Cases settled through arbitration take between 12 to 18 months. The main challenge regarding litigating cases is being able to conduct proper process of service upon all concerned parties. Another challenge is the lack of specialized investment and commercial courts, limiting judges’ capacity to adequately review cases.

Rulings by U.S. courts or other international arbitration committees can be upheld through the filing of an Enforcement of Ruling motion in a Jordanian court.

International Commercial Arbitration and Foreign Courts

In March 2018, King Abdullah II approved Arbitration Law No. 16, amending the 2001 law. The amendment introduced changes to the procedural framework of arbitrators seated in Jordan, which can be traced in the UNCITRAL model law. The amended law gives more authority to the Arbitral Tribunal and limits the role of the Court of Appeal.

Rulings by U.S. courts or other international arbitration committees can be upheld through the filing of an Enforcement of Ruling motion in a Jordanian court.

Bankruptcy Regulations

The Commercial Code, Civil Code, and Companies Law collectively govern bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings. In December 2017, the cabinet endorsed a bankruptcy bylaw which stipulates procedures for optional and compulsory liquidation, along with the mechanism, liquidation plan, and required documentation and reporting. In 2018, Parliament passed the Insolvency Law, which allows individuals and companies to offset their financial position through a debt management plan. The law helps the insolvent entity to continue its economic activity, rather than directly resorting to bankruptcy, and regulates insolvency proceedings for foreign organizations according to international conventions ratified by Jordan.

Defaulting on loans or issuing checks without adequate available balances is a crime in Jordan and may subject the offender to imprisonment under Jordan’s penal system. While Jordan is reexamining these laws, prison terms for debtors remains a legal practice in Jordan. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence on potential partners and avail themselves of local legal counsel in order to understand best business practices in Jordan and conform with local laws. The U.S. Commercial Service office of the Embassy of the United States in Amman can assist American businesses in these endeavors.

Investment Incentives

Under Investment Law No. 30/2014, the Council of Ministers, upon the recommendation of the Investment Council, may offer investment incentives in accordance with the law and governing regulations for projects outside the Development and Free Zones. The Investment Council and Investment Commission can also offer certain exemptions for projects in the following sectors:

1. Agriculture and livestock
2. Hospitals and specialized medical centers
3. Hotel and touristic facilities
4. Tourism-related entertainment and recreation
5. Contact and communication centers
6. Scientific research centers and medical laboratories
7. Technical and media production

Such incentives include customs exemptions, refunding of the general tax for production inputs, and no sales tax. JIC can provide investors with further information on these exemptions (https://www.jic.gov.jo/en/incentives-outside-the-dz-and-fz/ ). Automatic exemptions are also granted for specific services whether purchased locally or imported. The Income and Sales Tax Department will refund the general tax levied within 30 days from submitting a written request in accordance with the terms and conditions determined by the Regulations Governing Investment Incentives (Number 33 of 2015).

A number of non-automatic exemptions are granted for production requirements and fixed assets used in industrial or handicrafts activities. Such exemptions are subject to administrative procedures and approvals obtained from the Jordan Investment Commission Technical Committee and are governed by the previously referenced regulation.

Article 8-A of the 2014 Investment Law allows the cabinet to grant additional advantages, exemptions, or incentives to any economic activities in the Kingdom. Under this article, the cabinet granted additional incentives to the ICT, tourism, and transport sectors in 2016, as published in the Official Gazette.

Net profits generated from most exports were exempt from income tax until December 2018. The new Income Tax Law No. 38 (2018) imposed taxes on income generated from exports, in accordance with WTO agreements.

In October 2019, the government announced an economic stimulus package granting direct incentives to investors in industrial and commercial sectors, offering cash incentives for companies that replace foreign laborer with Jordanian staff, and covering health insurance for employees and their families.

Foreign Trade Zones/Free Ports/Trade Facilitation

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 incentives while those in Zone A receive the lowest level. All agricultural, maritime, transport and railway investments are classified as Zone C, irrespective of location. Hotel and tourism-related projects along the Dead Sea, 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 granted an exemption. The three-zone classification scheme does not apply to nature reserves and environmental protection areas.

Jordan’s 2014 investment law merged the Development and Free Zones Commission (DFZC) into the newly formed Jordan Investment Commission, an independent governmental body responsible for creating, regulating, and monitoring Jordan’s free trade zones, industrial estates, and development zones. The development areas are the King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area (KHBTDA) in Mafraq, the Ma’an Development Area, the Irbid Development Area (IDA), the Dead Sea Development Zone, the Jabal Ajloun Development Zone, and the King Hussein Business Park Development Zone. The Investment Law assigns the Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation (JIEC) and the Development and Free Zones Corporation (DFZC) as main developers of industrial estates and development and free zones, under the supervision of the Investment Commission.

As part of Jordan’s efforts to foster economic development and enhance its investment climate, the government has created four industrial estates in Amman, Irbid, Karak, and Aqaba, in addition to several privately-run industrial parks, including al-Mushatta, al-Tajamouat, al-Dulayl, Cyber City, al-Qastal, Jordan Gateway, and al-Hallabat. These estates provide basic infrastructure for a wide variety of manufacturing activities, reducing the cost of utilities and providing cost-effective land and buildings. Investors in the estates continue to receive incentives until their contracts expire, and receive various additional exemptions, such as a two-year exemption on income and social services taxes, complete exemptions from building and land taxes, and exemptions or reductions on most municipalities’ fees.

Besides the six public free zones in Zarqa, Sahab, Karak, Karama, Mowaqaar, and Queen Alia Airport, Jordan has over 37 designated private free zones administered by private companies under the DFZC’s supervision. The free zones are outside of the jurisdiction of Jordan Customs and provide a duty and tax-free environment for the storage of goods transiting Jordan.

Jordan has announced plans for new specialized development zones in a number of governorates including two solar parks in Ma’an and Ajloun, and four new industrial parks in Salt, Madaba, Tafileh, and Jarash.

Under Investment Law No. 30 of 2014, establishments operating within Development Zones are subject to a unified tax rate of 5 percent. However, Income Tax Law No. 38 of 2018 modifies the tax rates applicable to entities operating in the Development Zones depending on the source of the income; industrial activities with a local value-added of at least 30 percent are subject to 5 percent income tax rate, while other projects and activities are subject to 10 percent.

The Investment Law also grants entities registered in the Free Zones a tax exemption on ny activities conducted within the borders of the Free Zones, the export of goods and services outside the Kingdom, and associated transit trade. Profits earned on activities pertaining to the sale, disposal, or importation of goods and services within the borders of the Free Zones are subject to tax based on the normal income tax rates applicable to each entity, depending on its status (corporation or individual).

The Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) is an independent economic zone not governed by the Investment Commission or the articles in the Investment Law governing investments in free zones or development zones. It offers special tax exemptions, a flat five percent income tax, and facilitates customs handling at Aqaba Port. In recent years, ASEZ has attracted projects, mainly in hotel and property development sectors, valued at over USD 8 billion. The government continues to implement development projects aimed at attracting commerce and tourism through the Port of Aqaba. The Aqaba New Port project, initiated in 2010, became operational November 2018, reaching design capacity in 2019. The new port, 20 km south of the previous port, added four new terminals and expanded general ship berthing and marine services, in addition to adding dedicated terminals for grain silos, liquefied natural gas, phosphates, and propane.

Investors, either foreign or domestic, face specific requirements in trade, services, and industrial projects in free zones. Industrial projects must be related to one of the following industries:

• New industries that depend on advanced technology;
• Industries that require locally available raw material and/or locally manufactured parts;
• Industries that complement domestic industries;
• Industries that enhance labor skills and promote technical know-how; or,
• Industries that provide consumer goods and that contribute to reducing market dependency on imported goods.

For further details, please visit:

• Jordan Investment Commission (http://www.jic.gov.jo/)
• Jordan Industrial Estate Corporation (http://www.jiec.com)
• Aqaba Special Economic Zone (http://www.aqabazone.com/)

Performance and Data Localization Requirements

Jordan has a well-educated and trained labor force of 2.5 million people, of which approximately 700,000 are registered foreign workers. Unregistered foreign workers may be nearly double this number. Most foreign laborers are employed in construction, agriculture, and domestic housekeeping sectors. Approximately 70,000 also work in the QIZs as textile workers.

The Ministry of Labor regulates foreign worker licensing, licensing fees, prohibited sectors, and employer liability. Along with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labor is responsible for approving the hiring of professional foreign workers by private businesses.

Official unemployment reached 20 percent at the end of 2019, leading the Ministry of Labor to announce new labor regulations aimed at creating jobs for Jordanian youth through the dismissal of foreign labor by 2024. New regulations stipulate increases in permit fees for non-Jordanians and closure of certain jobs to foreign employment altogether.

In February 2020, the government issued Industrial Sector Incentives Bylaw No. 18 granting incentives to industries that employ female Jordanian laborersg and whose finished products contain at least 30 percent local content.

Jordan does not have requirements for foreign IT providers to turn over source code or provide access to surveillance.

Real Property

The legal system reliably facilitates and protects the acquisition and disposition of property rights. Foreign ownership of land and assets is governed by The Leasing of Immovable Assets and Their Sale to Non-Jordanian and Judicial Persons Law No. 47/2006. Under Article 3 of the law, if the buyer’s country of residence has a reciprocal relationship with Jordan, foreign nationals are afforded the right of ownership of property within urban borders in Jordan for residential purposes. According to the law, foreign nationals may rent immovable assets for business or accommodation purposes, provided that the plot of land does not exceed 10 acres and the lease is for no more than three years in duration. Interest in real property is recognized and enforced once recorded in a legal registry.

A new Property law passed in 2019 aims to consolidate 13 laws governing property ownership in one legislation, and addresses issues such as zoning, and the facilitation of ownership and leases for foreign investors.

All land plots in Jordan are titled and registered with the Jordanian Land and Survey Department; any land not titled as private property is considered government property.

According the Ease of Doing Business report of 2020, Jordan ranked 78 out of 190 countries in “Registering Property.”

Intellectual Property Rights

Jordan has passed several laws in compliance with international commitments to protect intellectual property rights (IPR). Laws consistent with Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) now protect trade secrets, plant varieties, and semiconductor chip designs.

Copyrights are registered with The Ministry of Culture’s National Library Department, and patents are registered with the Registrar of Patents and Trademarks at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Jordan is a signatory to the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid Protocol and amended its patent and trademark laws in 2007 to enable ratification of the agreements. Jordan is a signatory to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties on both copyrights and on performances and phonograms, and it has been developing updated laws for copyrights, trademark standards, and customs regulations to meet international standards. Jordanian firms are able to seek joint ventures and licensing agreements with multinational partners.

In 2017, Jordan acceded to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT); the treaty entered into force October 2017. The Ministry of Industry and Trade introduced an e-filing service in 2018 through https://ippd-eservice.mit.gov.jo/ .

Amendments to article 41 of Customs Law No. 33 of 2018 granted more time for legal agents to file trademark violation complaints. Jordan’s record on IPR enforcement has improved in recent years, but more effective enforcement mechanisms and legal procedures are still needed. In particular, a large portion of pirated videos and software remain in the marketplace. Enforcement action against audio/video and software piracy is more frequent and enforcement capability is improving. Since 2000, 6,229 violations of Jordan’s current copyright law have been referred to the judiciary, including 218 cases in 2018 and another 218 cases in 2019. In 2019, Customs also referred 40 counterfeiting cases for prosecution.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has an Intellectual Property Attaché for the Middle East and North Africa region based in the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Please see: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/ip-policy/intellectual-property-rights-ipr-attach-program/ip-attach-kuwait  for contact information. Jordan is not listed in USTR’s Special 301 report, nor in the Notorious Markets report.

Jordan is not listed in USTR’s Special 301 report, nor in the Notorious Markets report.

For additional information about national laws and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles at http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/.

Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment

There are three key capital market institutions: the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC), the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE), and the Securities Depository Center (SDC). The ASE launched an Internet Trading Service in 2010, providing an opportunity for investors to engage in securities trading independent of geographic location.

Jordan’s stock market is among the most open among its regional competitors, with no cap on foreign ownership. At the end of 2018, non-Jordanian ownership in companies listed on the ASE represented 51.6 percent of the total market value (35.8 percent Arab investors and 15.7 percent for non-Arab investors). Jordanian ownership in the financial sector was 56.5 percent, 18.3 percent in the services sector and 61.4 percent in the industrial sector. All investors, both foreign and domestic, are permitted to open margin accounts and to engage in short selling (commercial banks hold securities for their clients in a sub-account format).

In spite of recent reforms and technological advances, the ASE suffers from intermittent liquidity problems and low trading activity. The financial market peaked in 2007-2008, with average trading volumes topping USD 118 million per day. Following the global economic downturn, the market declined precipitously, with market capitalization falling from USD 41 billion in 2007 to USD 21 billion as of Dec 31, 2019.

By the end of 2019, the ASE price index had dropped 1815.2 points (4.9 percent) over the same period in 2018, while trading volume declined 31.6 percent, only totaling USD 2.3 billion.

In 2019, the total net profits of listed companies increased to USD 1.3 billion (according to preliminary financial statements provided to the ASE), a slight increase of 0.3 percent over 2018.

Money and Banking System

Jordan has 25 banks, including commercial banks, Islamic banks, and foreign bank branches (Jordan does not distinguish between investment banks and commercial banks.) Banks continue to be profitable and well capitalized with deposits being the primary funding base, and indicators remain strong largely due to strict regulations on lending, particularly mortgage lending. Liquidity ratios and provisioning remain high, while non-performing loan ratios modestly decreased over the past couple of years. Jordan’s rate of non-performing loans, as a percentage of all bank loans, was 4.2 percent in 2017, and reached 4.6 percent in the first half of 2018.

Banking law No. 28 of 2000 does not discriminate between local and foreign banks, however capital requirements differ. The minimum capital requirements for foreign banks are JD 50 million (USD 70.6 million), and JD 100 million (USD 141 million) for local banks. The law also protects depositors’ interests, diminishes money market risk, guards against the concentration of lending, and includes articles on electronic banking practices and anti-money laundering. The CBJ set up an independent Deposit Insurance Corporation (DIC) in 2000 that insures deposits up to JOD 50,000 (USD 71,000). The DIC also acts as the liquidator of banks as directed by the CBJ.

In January 2017, the CBJ established the “Jordan Payments and Clearing Company,” with an aim to establish and develop digital retail and micro payments along with the investment in innovative technology and digital financial services.

There is no legal impediment to applying block-chain technologies in banking transactions. TheCentral Bank actively supports the technology and is running two pilot projects deploying block- chain technologies: the Mobile Payment System (JoMoPay), and another for the verification of bank documents.

Foreign Exchange and Remittances

Foreign Exchange

The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) supervises and licenses all currency exchange businesses. These entities are exempt from paying commissions on exchange transactions and therefore enjoy a competitive edge over banks.

The Jordanian Dinar (JD or JOD) is fully convertible for all commercial and capital transactions. Since 1995, the JD has been pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of JD 1 to USD 1.41.

Other notable 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 CBJ.
• Banks are permitted to purchase unlimited amounts of foreign currency from their clients in exchange for JODs on a forward basis. Banks are permitted to sell foreign currencies in exchange for JODs on a forward basis for the purpose of covering the value of imports.
• There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that residents may hold in bank accounts, and there is no ceiling on the amount residents may transfer abroad. Banks do not require prior CBJ approval for a transfer of funds, including investment-related transfers.

Jordanian law entitles foreigners to remit abroad all returns, profits, and proceeds arising from the liquidation of investment projects. Non-Jordanian workers are permitted to transfer their salaries and compensation abroad.

Remittance Policies

Jordanian law entitles foreigners to remit abroad all returns, profits, and proceeds arising from the liquidation of investment projects. Non-Jordanian workers are permitted to transfer their salaries and compensation abroad.

Sovereign Wealth Funds

Jordan does not have a sovereign wealth fund.

A number of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) exist in Jordan. Seventeen SOEs of different sizes and mandates are fully owned by the government, five of which were established in 2016 and are not yet operational. Wholly-owned SOEs employ around 3,000 individuals, with assets exceeding USD 11 billion.

Most of the operational SOEs are small in terms of the size of operations, assets, number of employees, and income. The largest SOEs are: National Electrical Power Company (NEPCO), Samra Electric Power Company, the Yarmouk Water Company, and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC).

Jordan’s economy is private sector led, accounting for 71 percent of GDP and 75 percent of net cumulative investment. SOEs in Jordan exercise delegated governmental powers and operating in fields that are not yet open for investment, such as managing the transmission and distribution of electrical power and water. Other activities include logistics, mining, storage and inventory management of strategic products, in addition to economic development activities. The government supports these companies as necessary, for example, the government has issued and guaranteed Treasury bonds for NEPCO since 2011 to ensure continuous power supply for the country.

SOEs generally compete on largely equal terms with private enterprises with respect to access to markets, credit, and other business operations. The law does not provide preferential treatment to SOEs, and they are held accountable by their Board of Directors, typically chaired by the sector-relevant Minister and the Audit Bureau.

The government, enterprises and NGOs are progressively taking initiatives to incorporate Responsible Business Conduct into their practices.

Jordan is not a party to the Government Procurement Agreement.

Privatization Program

Over the last fifteen years, the Jordanian government has engaged in a wide-scale privatization program, including in the telecom, energy, and transportation sectors. The few remaining government assets not privatized, including Jordan Silos and Supply Company, have elicited little private sector interest.

In 2020, Jordan published a new Public Private Partnership Law to support the government’s commitment to broadening the utilization of public-private sector partnerships (PPPs) and encouraging the private sector to play a larger role in the economy. The law does not limit PPPs to certain sectors, or nationalities. A PPP unit housed at the Prime Ministry supports the government in identifying and prioritizing projects and their implementation. The unit has already identified a list of potential PPP projects in several sectors; water, energy, transport, tourism, education, health, environment and information and communication technology.

There is general awareness of responsible business conduct among both manufacturers and consumers in Jordan, with many local and multinational companies voluntarily developing and adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. CSR efforts predominantly focus on improving infrastructure in adjoining communities or providing better access to educational opportunities.

The amended companies’ law regulates the work of companies by applying the rules of company governance and enhancing the monitoring authorities of shareholders at public liability companies.

The American Chamber of Commerce published in 2016 a framework code of conduct for the private sector, the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) approved and embedded as part of the governance chapter in the amended companies law. The Customs Department released and revised a Golden List Program, which encourages good corporate citizenship amongst trading companies and international best practice for trade across borders.

The government issues a monthly financial bulletin highlighting all revenues, including taxes and royalties paid by extractive industries.

Jordan was the first Middle Eastern country to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2005 and has initiated several reforms in similar spirit over the last two decades; including a code of conduct for the public sector in 2006. Furthermore, the government drafted an action plan to address corruption with Jordan’s National Integrity System (NIS), developed in 2012.

Jordanian Anti-Corruption law defines corruption as any act that violates official duties, all acts related to favoritism and nepotism that could deprive others from their legitimate rights, economic crimes, and misuse of power. However, the use of family, business, and other personal connections to advance personal business interests is endemic and regarded by many Jordanians as part of the culture. In 2006, Parliament approved an Illicit Gains Law, which officially required public office holders and specified government officials to declare their assets. The 2018 amendments to the Illicit Gain Law expanded the employees subject to the financial disclosure requirement to include heads and members of ad hoc municipal councils, executive directors of municipalities and heads and members of governorate councils. The Law requires the prime minister, Cabinet members, and senior employees to provide financial disclosures for themselves, their spouses, and minor children.

In 2006, Parliament also enacted an Anti-Corruption Law that created the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate allegations of corruption. In 2016, the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (“IACC”) came into force by Law No. 13/2016 (“IACC Law”). Two Authorities were merged into one, repealing the Bureau of Ombudsman Law No. 11 of 2008 and the Anti-Corruption Law No. 62/2006.

The IACC received 790 new investigation files on corruption in 2018, of which 173 cases were referred to the Public Prosecutor in the commission, 342 files were closed and archived because either corruption offenses were found and therefore no administrative action was required to correct / rectify the situation, and 275 files still are under investigation.

In 2018, the government issued the Code of Governance Practices of Policies and Legislative Instruments in Government Departments, to improve the predictability of legal and regulatory framework governing the business environment.

In July 2019, Parliament amended the IACC Law granting the IACC more authority to access asset disclosure filings. The amendment empowers the commission to request asset seizures, international travel bans, and suspension of officials under investigation for corruption. The amendment also increases the IACC’s administrative autonomy by enabling the commission to update its own regulations and protecting IACC board members and the chairperson from arbitrary dismissal.

The IACC opened 609 new investigations in 2019. The IACC referred 234 cases to the courts for prosecution, closed 316 for lack of evidence, and transferred three cases within the commission. Another 56 cases remained under investigation.

A new Audit Bureau Law was enacted in October 2018 to strengthen the Bureau performance, capacity and independence in line with INTOSAI standards.

Other related laws include the Penal/Criminal Code, Anti-Money Laundering Law, Right to Access Information Law, and the Economic Crimes Law.

Jordan is not a party to the OECD Convention on Combatting Bribery.

Resources to Report Corruption

H.E. Mohannad Hijazi
Chairman
Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC)
P.O. Box 5000, Amman, 11953, Jordan
+962 6 550 3150

Contact at “watchdog” organization:

Sawsan Gharaibeh
Director
+962 079 905 2555
swmkgf@gmail.com

And/ Or

Abeer Mdanat
Executive Director
Rasheed Coalition
P.O. Box 582662, Amman, 111585, Jordan
+962 5 585 2528
amdanat@rasheedti.org

While politically motivated violence is rare in Jordan, the threat of terrorism remains high. Terrorist organizations, including the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), its affiliates, and sympathizers, have successfully conducted attacks in Jordan and continue to plot assaults in the country. Jordan’s prominent role in the Defeat-ISIS Coalition and its shared borders with Iraq and Syria maintains potential for future terrorist incidents. Within the last year, Jordanian authorities have disrupted terrorist plots. Visitors should consult current State Department public announcements at www.travel.state.gov before traveling to Jordan.

Peaceful protests occur frequently but are usually limited to a few hundred (and often only a few dozen) participants. Most demonstrations focus on frustration with perceived economic inequality and corruption or on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the status of Jerusalem.

According to the Department of Statistics annual report for 2018, the total population of Jordan is 10.5 million, of which 69 percent are Jordanians (7.3 million) and approximately 31 percent are non-Jordanians, including 1.3 million Syrian refugees. UNHCR has registered 655,435 Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Approximately 70 percent of the population is estimated to be under the age of 30. Literacy rates are 98.2 percent for men and 92.9 percent for women. Jordan has a generally well-educated labor force of about 2.6 million Jordanians. According to the Department of Statistics, official unemployment in 2019 reached 19 percent.

Certain types of work are restricted to Jordanians only. In 2019, the Ministry of Labor increased the number of closed professions from 11 to 28. However, employers may request the Ministry of Labor to review applications for foreign workers in restricted sectors if local expertise cannot be found; these requests have generally been approved. Local labor requirements in development and free zones vary based on the type of economic activity.

Labor unions serve primarily as intermediaries between workers and the Ministry of Labor (MOL) and may engage in collective bargaining on behalf of workers. The 17 recognized unions are all members of the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions. Estimates put union membership at less than 10 percent of the labor force. Additionally, there are 40 active professional associations, including many that have mandatory membership, in addition to 15 Independent Unions covering the rest of the professions and trades. According to official figures, about 30 percent of the total labor force, including government workers, belongs to either a union or a professional association. There is a labor mechanism in place for labor dispute resolution beginning with labor inspector mediation. If mediation fails, the Minister of Labor reviews the case, followed by the Conciliation Council, then finally by the Labor Court under the Magistrate and Penalty Court to resolve the case within seven days.

The labor law does not require employers to include retirement plans in employment packages. However, if the employer agreed to provide retirement benefits when the worker was contracted, the employer must fulfill that commitment. The law addresses layoffs, and requires ministerial notification and guarantee of legitimate and entitled benefits and severance, but also allows firing without prior notice on certain conditions. Companies with the appropriate justification may obtain permission from the Ministry of Labor (MOL) to reduce their staff as a result of business restructuring. The social security system provides up to six months of unemployment benefits.

In 2017, Jordan introduced amendments to the labor law regarding flexible work hours and the provision of daycare; the amendments were approved and published in the official gazette in May 2019. The amendments enhanced the work environment for employees, including a definition for flexible work hours, and provisions against gender wage discrimination. The law granted paternity leave for three days, tied the eligibility for daycare to the total number of employees’ children under the age of five (minimum 15 children from the age 0-4 years old), and exempts non-Jordanian children of Jordanian women from needing a work permit.

The amendments establish flexible work hour as agreements to be negotiated between employers and employees but does not mandate them as an employee right. The current law governing daycare requires a business with at least 20 female employees with children between the age of one day and four years, to make daycare services available to the employees. The proposed amendments will require employers with employees, regardless of gender, that cumulatively have 15 or more children under the age of five years, to provide a suitable childcare facility for them.

The government has been reforming and strengthening its legal framework and labor inspections since 2006. In 2010, Jordan fully implemented its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, which requires Jordan to continuing making improvements on labor rights issues.

The Better Work Jordan program (BWJ), funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), was launched in 2008 as a joint project between the Ministry of Labor, the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the International Finance Corporation to improve garment sector labor standards and conditions, and raise compliance levels through public reporting and technical assistance. In 2016, USDOL removed the Jordanian garment industry from its “List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor.” As of December 2018, 86 garment factories were enrolled in the BWJ program. Following its successes, BWJ is expanding its mandate to cover manufacturing and industrial sectors in order to facilitate their obligations to the European Union’s under newly relaxed rules-of-origin trade agreement requirements. At the end of 2018, 12 companies qualified to benefit from the simplified rules-of-origin initiative. The Ministry of Labor drafted manuals in cooperation with BWJ on Occupational Safety and Health Safety in four sectors; agriculture, chemicals, engineering and plastic in 2019.

In 2019, the Public Private Partnership Unit identified a list of potential projects in diversified sectors that can be potential beneficiaries of DFC products. In October 2019, the Jordan Investment Commission announced 68 investment opportunities with a total worth of USD 4.5 billion. All opportunities can be found at www.jic.gov.jo .

Investments in Jordan have benefited from Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) insurance and private financing. OPIC backed significant investments in Jordanian private equity ventures and in mortgage financing, with over USD 1 billion in investments in Jordan. OPIC has also been also active in financing projects in Jordan’s burgeoning renewable energy sector. In 2011, OPIC signed a USD 250 million loan guarantee program and established the Jordan Loan Guarantee Facility (JLGF), in partnership with USAID, as a financial inclusion activity aimed at improving access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises in Jordan. OPIC previously extended a USD 250 million loan to support the USD 1 billion Disi water project to bring water to Amman from the Disi aquifer in the south.

Jordan is 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, and policy changes. The program covers investments in Jordan irrespective of the investor’s nationality, in addition to Jordanian investments abroad.

* Source for Host Country Data: Central Bank of Jordan

Table 3: Sources and Destination of FDI
Data not available.

Shaden al-Majali
Senior Economic Specialist
+962 6 590 6317
Majalisa@state.gov