Amra Exhibition Center Strengthens Jordan’s Position in Tourism, Economy, Investment

Amman: The Amra International Exhibition and Convention Center, currently advancing through its development stages following the approval of its final designs, is emerging as a major strategic addition to Jordan's economic and tourism infrastructure, with experts expecting it to significantly enhance the country's role in the regional meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector. According to Jordan News Agency, economic and tourism specialists say the project is set to evolve into more than a conventional events venue, instead serving as a central platform for business engagement, investment networking, and industry promotion. By attracting large-scale exhibitions and specialized conferences, the facility is expected to strengthen Jordan's business environment and expand opportunities for showcasing national industries and services to regional and international audiences. In statements to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), experts noted that the center is likely to reinforce Jordan's posi tioning as a competitive destination for business tourism. Its operation is expected to generate broader economic benefits, including higher visitor numbers, improved hotel occupancy rates, and increased activity across transport, hospitality, and related service sectors. The Jordanian Company for the Development of Cities and Facilities (JCDCF) announced that final designs for the center have been approved, with engineering and technical preparations now underway. The project forms part of the first phase of the wider Amra City development, which aims to introduce a new hub for large-scale events and exhibitions in the Kingdom. From a commercial perspective, Asaad Al-Qawasmi, board member of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, said that exhibitions and conferences have become highly competitive global tools for attracting investment and strengthening trade ties, as countries increasingly rely on them to market their economic capabilities. He added that a modern, purpose-built facility of this scale would signi ficantly improve Jordan's ability to present its industrial and commercial strengths to international visitors, while also enabling deeper engagement between local producers and foreign investors. This, he said, would help expand trade cooperation and enhance market access for Jordanian products. Al-Qawasmi further stressed that Jordan's stability, strategic location, and connectivity to regional markets provide strong foundations for positioning the Kingdom as a regional hub for exhibitions and conferences. He described the Amra project as a meaningful step toward strengthening Jordan's visibility in global trade and investment networks. In the tourism and academic sector, Dr. Hakam Shatnawi of Yarmouk University highlighted that the center is expected to mark a qualitative shift in Jordan's business tourism sector. With a capacity of up to 15,000 participants, it is positioned to become one of the largest venues of its kind in the country. He noted that this scale enables Jordan to compete more effective ly for major international exhibitions, conferences, and summits, particularly as demand grows for advanced venues that meet global MICE standards. The project's location near Queen Alia International Airport and major border crossings, he added, offers a logistical advantage that strengthens its regional accessibility. Shatnawi said the development is expected to drive year-round activity across tourism-related sectors, including hotels, transport, and food services. Beyond its immediate economic impact, he added, the center aligns with Jordan's broader shift toward diversifying tourism offerings and strengthening sustainable economic growth under national modernization efforts. Representing the industrial sector, Ihab Qadri of the Jordan Chamber of Industry said the center will fill a long-standing gap in the country's exhibition infrastructure by providing a permanent, dedicated platform for both general and specialized trade events across key industries such as food production, pharmaceuticals, engineer ing, chemicals, and information technology. He explained that this will give Jordanian industries a stronger gateway to international markets, showcasing thousands of locally produced goods already exported to more than 150 countries. The facility is also expected to attract international buyers and investors, creating new export pathways and strengthening the global presence of Jordanian products. Qadri concluded that the project aligns closely with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision, particularly its objectives of enhancing industrial competitiveness, expanding export capacity, attracting investment, and positioning the Kingdom as a regional center for trade, exhibitions, and knowledge-based economic activity.