Amman, Nov. 2 (Petra) -- The leather and garment industries achieved $1.63 billion in exports during the first eight months of 2025, marking a 3% increase compared with the same period last year, according to the Jordan Chamber of Industry.
Eng. Ihab Qadri, the sector’s representative at the Chamber, said exports reached $1.686 billion, up from $1.636 billion in 2024, with clothing products accounting for 90% of total exports. The rise came despite regional instability that disrupted trade and logistics in some traditional markets.
Qadri attributed the growth to strong external demand, particularly from European markets, where exports to Italy surged 121% and to Germany 97%. He noted similar momentum in Arab markets, with exports to Saudi Arabia up 24%, and in Latin America, where shipments to Mexico rose 20%. Exports to the United States also increased by 5% despite new U.S. tariffs, reflecting the sector’s competitiveness and market resilience.
The leather and garment sector contributed 21% of Jordan’s total industrial exports, underscoring its strategic importance to the national economy and its role in job creation, Qadri said. The industry comprises over 1,000 factories, employing nearly 96,000 workers, 70% of whom are women.
He added that local manufacturers have invested heavily in upgrading production lines and quality standards to align with European and international benchmarks, benefiting from free trade agreements with both the EU and the U.S.
Qadri highlighted progress on a planned integrated industrial cluster for the leather and garment industries, supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The project has completed feasibility studies and site selection, with promotional efforts underway to attract investment and local labor.
He said the cluster aims to strengthen supply chains, reduce production costs, and accelerate delivery times, addressing challenges such as raw material shortages, which account for about 60% of total production costs.
Each dinar produced by the sector generates 42 piasters of added value to GDP, Qadri noted, emphasizing its high productivity and economic contribution.
The Jordan Chamber of Industry, he said, continues to work with government partners to implement strategic initiatives that enhance industrial growth, expand exports, and advance the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision.
//Petra// RZ
