Amman: In the first five months of this year, trade between Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached JD2.561 billion, up from JD2.157 billion in the same period last year.
According to Jordan News Agency, by the end of May of this year, the value of the Kingdom’s exports to the GCC countries had increased to JD735 million from JD640 million during the same period the previous year, as per statistical data released by the Department of Statistics. The Kingdom’s imports from GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Sultanate of Oman, grew to JD1.826 billion, up from JD1.517 billion in the same period the previous year.
Saudi Arabia topped the list of GCC nations that Jordan trades with, boasting a trade volume of over 1.691 billion dinars at the end of May this year, up from 1.526 billion dinars during the same period last year. Jordan’s exports to Saudi Arabia increased to 478 million dinars, while imports amounted to 1.213 billion dinars. The majority of exports were fresh and cooked fruits and vegetables, pharmaceuticals, live animals (particularly sheep), and products from the chemical industry, while imports were dominated by food industry products, chemicals, and petroleum.
The United Arab Emirates ranked second with a trade volume of 603 million dinars, of which 113 million dinars were exports, primarily gold (including platinum-plated gold). Non-monetary raw gold was the most significant import.
Trade with Qatar reached 104 million dinars, with 48 million dinars in exports, mainly fresh and processed food items. The imports were mainly chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and motor oil.
Jordan’s trade with Kuwait amounted to 75 million dinars, with 52 million dinars in exports in the form of plant and animal products. Imports included oxygen gas, petroleum products, and derivatives like natural gas and oils.
Commerce with the Sultanate of Oman totaled around 51 million dinars, with 24 million dinars in Jordanian exports, primarily fertilizers, food, and agricultural items. Imports focused on anhydrous ammonia and steel and its derivatives.
Jordan’s trade with Bahrain reached over 37 million dinars, with national exports, mainly fruits, vegetables, and food items, totaling 20 million dinars. Imports concentrated on carbon dioxide, oil or diesel, fish and seafood, and aluminum alloys.