Gov't to establish JD57m fund to support national industries — Shamali

AMMAN — The government will establish a JD57-million fund to support national industries, after allocations were included in the 2022 general state budget, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yousef Shamali said on Monday night. 

The minister made the remarks during a meeting at the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) to discuss issues pertaining to national industries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The minister noted that industrial production inputs will continue to be exempted from any customs duties.

He added that the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) will continue to support the industrial sector by covering part of shipping costs through its programme "We Ship, Your Export", stressing that the industrial sector is a key employer of Jordanians.

Shamali also expressed pride in the accomplishments recorded by the industrial sector; exports that are found in more than 140 countries worldwide.

As for the restructuring of customs duties, the minister said that no decision has been taken in this regard, expecting tariff categories to be reduced to four instead of 18. 

According to Shamali, 90 per cent of the Kingdom's imports are exempted from customs duties. 

ACI Chairman Fathi Jaghbeer said that the chambers of industry refuse any dreace in customs fees on imported goods that have national counterparts, especially since several countries support their national products and have lower energy costs, which makes it difficult to compete in the national market.