The ABCC was honoured to host a ministerial roundtable with His Excellency Dr Tareq Abu Ghazaleh, Minister of Investment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on Thursday 4 June 2026.
The high-level event held in collaboration with the Embassy of Jordan in the UK and the Ministry of Investment, brought together senior business leaders, investors, and industry representatives to explore the latest emerging opportunities in Jordan as the country continued the implementation of its Economic Modernisation Vision.
The Minister was accompanied by His Excellency Mr Manar Dabbas, Jordan’s Ambassador to the UK.
The exclusive roundtable, held in the Sloane Suite at the Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge, reflected the ABCC’s mission to strengthen commercial ties, facilitate meaningful connections and create new opportunities for investment, ABCC Interim Secretary General & CEO, Mrs Rita Massoud, MBA, FCIPD, stated in her welcoming remarks.
Mrs Massoud went on to describe the strong partnership and the depth of the relationship between the two kingdoms which was founded on decades of friendship, shared values and mutual respect.
Setting the scene, Mrs Massoud praised the personal relationships at the heart of the cooperation between our two countries, stating that,
“Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan has continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience, moderation and a clear vision for the future, further reinforcing its position as a trusted partner on the international stage. Who can forget the remarkable friendship between His Late Majesty King Hussein and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which remains a lasting symbol of the close ties between our two kingdoms?”
In his keynote speech, H E Dr Tareq Abu Ghazaleh, Jordan’s Minister of Investment, invited UK investors to look to the opportunities available in Jordan in diverse sectors ranging from technology, transport and logistics, healthcare, mining, agriculture, water, urban development.
He explained that Jordan was eager to attract and empower private, international investment to create new opportunities for Jordan’s talented young people.
The Minister affirmed that the government in Amman was determined to improve on its credit rating beyond the BB- with stable economic outlook, continuing confidence of international institutions and investors.
He explained that Jordan was well positioned as a strong export hub providing diverse regional access, while creating new opportunities for investors who might be looking to engage in the reconstruction of Syria and Iraq, as well those seeking to take part in the country’s growing role in Gulf logistics and supply chains.
He highlighted to extensive incentives for investors in Jordan’s business friendly environment, customs and tax exemptions, including the attractions offered by the country’s free zones and its skilled workforce.
The Minister shed light on some of the major projects that were currently underway such as the Aqaba Ma’an desalination project and industrial railway project in partnership with Etihad Rail.
The Mafraq Development Zone on Syria’s border was well located to support Syria’s reconstruction. Jordan was exploring the addition of a civil cargo airport to further advance Jordan’s role in cross-border regional trade.
Delegates were also advised to look to opportunities coming from the Aqaba Digital Hub and the Amra City Development Project which was a new smart city scheduled for majority completion towards the end of 2029, the Minister said.
To reinforce this positive message to British investor, the Minister introduced a short video which itemised the main attractions and successes of the Jordanian economy.
It was explained that Jordan was a young country that took pride in its ancient roots as the home to some unique sites such as Petra, Jerash and sacred heritage sites.
The opportunities for doing business and for lucrative investment were many. As a location, Jordan connects businesses to the world through the Free Trade Agreements it has signed which cover four continents and regular flights to over 140 destinations.
Delegates to the roundtable learned that Jordan ranks among the top twenty countries globally in terms of its logistics which means that it a launchpad for entry into markets worldwide.
Jordan is a leading player in multiple sectors such as pharma, tech, food production and high value manufacturing. Notably, it is the world’s second largest exporter of phosphates and an important strategic hub for digital investment which is evident in the number of well-known corporate brands that has chosen to setup branches in the country.
Jordan stands at the cutting edge of the MENA region’s clean energy transition where it is at the forefront in solar and wind capacity. In addition, one third of the nation’s own electricity needs are now supplied by renewables.
Another success is Jordan’s booming digital economy which is creating employment in tech jobs growing by around 19 percent a year with digital financial transactions jumping 53 percent in 2024. The Minister said that 3,000 ICT companies were now in Jordan serving various countries worldwide.
The economy has a well-earned reputation for being stable and resilient, with inflation held steady at 2 percent and GDP on the rise.
In summary, the Minister impressed delegates with his outlining of the multiple opportunities on offer in Jordan to UK investors, whether this is the ease of doing business, the competitive costs, the lucrative incentives or business friendly support.
The strong turnout at the event was a testament to the value the UK business community places on building meaningful partnerships with Jordan, Mrs Massoud said.
The event and the Minister’s remarks would reinforce the confidence of British business, which, Mrs Massoud said, was already reflected in the strength of the UK-Jordan economic relationship. According to latest figures from the UK Department for Business and Trade, the stock of UK foreign direct investment in Jordan stands at approximately £6.4 billion, while bilateral trade exceeds £1 billion annually.
Such figures demonstrate that British businesses are not only trading with Jordan, but investing in its long-term future, supported by institutions such as UK Export Finance, she affirmed.
The minister’s briefing was followed by a discussion and networking.