Nairobi: Jordanian industrial products were on display at the International Diplomatic Charity Bazaar in Kenya, part of efforts to promote national exports and expand their presence in the African country’s market.
According to Jordan News Agency, Jordan Chamber of Industry President Fathi Jaghbir stated that the participation was coordinated with the Jordanian Embassy in Kenya, with samples of Jordanian products sent for display at the event. The products caught the interest of bazaar visitors, as noted by Jaghbir, who also commended the efforts of Jordan’s ambassador in Nairobi. He mentioned that the embassy will secure a permanent corner as part of a broader effort to promote Jordanian industry and maintain a strong foothold in the Kenyan market.
Jaghbir emphasized the importance of boosting Jordanian exports to create more job opportunities, either by expanding into traditional markets or exploring promising new ones. He highlighted that quality Jordanian industrial products now have access to over 140 markets worldwide. The industrial sector in Jordan employs more than 270,000 workers and supports approximately 1 million citizens.
He identified Kenya as “a promising destination” for Jordanian exports, citing its strategic location as a gateway to East African markets and its status as one of the continent’s larger economies, with a population of around 60 million. Agriculture remains central to Kenya’s economy, particularly in coffee and tea cultivation and livestock production.
Jaghbir mentioned that Kenya’s ongoing economic changes could facilitate an increase in Jordanian exports, especially given the existing direct shipping line between Aqaba Port and Kenya’s Port of Mombasa. He also noted that the Jordanian Embassy in Kenya is prepared to provide Jordanian industrialists with vital information on imported products, customs duties, and product registration procedures, especially for goods requiring prior registration, such as pharmaceuticals.
Trade between Jordan and Kenya remains modest with a volume of less than $20 million. Jordan imports approximately $16 million worth of Kenyan goods, mainly coffee, spices, and fruit, while Jordanian exports to Kenya stand at about $4 million, primarily fertilizers and chemicals.