Business

AMMAN — The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) on Thursday reported an expansion in telecommunications services across the Kingdom in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by significant growth in data consumption and 5G adoption.

According to the TRC’s quarterly statistical report, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, fixed-line voice service subscriptions reached some 486,000 by the end of Q4 2024, compared to 493,000 in Q4 2023, marking a 1.4 per cent decline.

Residential users accounted for 67 per cent of the total, while commercial subscribers made up the remaining 33 per cent.

Despite the drop in subscriptions, fixed-line call traffic rose by 6 per cent year-on-year, reaching 11.3 million call minutes, where 85 per cent of the total was local traffic between governorates and international calls accounted for 15 per cent.

The number of mobile broadband subscriptions climbed to 8.046 million in Q4 2024, compared to 7.727 million a year earlier, marking a growth rate of 4.1 per cent. 

Prepaid plans accounted for 69 per cent of total mobile broadband subscriptions, while 31 per cent were post-paid. 

Voice and data subscriptions constituted 84 per cent of total mobile plans, with the remaining 16 per cent being data-only.

Mobile voice traffic totalled 7.37 billion minutes, of which 97 per cent were domestic calls and 3 per cent international. 

Text messaging witnessed a dramatic increase, with 576 million messages sent in Q4 2024, compared to 260 million in the same period the previous year, showing an increase of 122 per cent.

The mobile phone penetration rate reached 69 per cent of the total population and 106 per cent among individuals aged 15 and above by the end of Q4 2024, compared to 67 per cent and 104 per cent, respectively, in Q4 2023.

Mobile broadband data usage reached some 658 million gigabytes in the fourth quarter, marking a 13 per cent rise from 580 million gigabytes (GB) in Q4 2023.

Fixed broadband internet subscriptions rose slightly to some 812,000 by the end of Q4 2024, up from 805,000 in Q4 2023, reflecting a growth rate of 0.8 per cent and a household penetration rate of 33.4 per cent. 

Fiber-optic Internet continued to dominate with 591,000 subscriptions, representing 72.8 per cent of total fixed broadband subscriptions, while FBWA technology accounted for 17.9 per cent and xDSL for 8.8 per cent.

Data consumption through fixed broadband services reached 1.339 billion GB in Q4 2024, compared to 1.161 billion GB in the same quarter of 2023, marking a 15 per cent increase. 

Average monthly fixed internet usage per subscription rose to 550 GB, up from 481 GB in Q4 2023, a growth rate of 14 per cent.

Also, 5G mobile subscriptions witnessed exponential growth, reaching 112,900 in Q4 2024, registering an increase of nearly 60 per cent from the previous quarter and 800 per cent compared to Q4 2023.

Leased line subscriptions also saw a “notable” rise, totalling 24,143 by the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, up from 20,539 in Q4 2023, growing by 17.5 per cent.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) on Thursday discussed the latest developments in Sheikh Sabah Port Natural Gas Development Project and its gasification facility, which would secure natural gas in the southern industrial zone in Aqaba.

During a meeting held in Aqaba, ASEZA Chairman Nayef Fayez discussed with Minister of Energy Saleh Kharabsheh and the ministry's technical team ways to boost cooperation regarding the multi-use liquids port, which aims to increase "efficiency" for this sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

They also went over mechanisms for implementing natural gas projects in the southern region.

Talks during the meeting discussed the role of the National Water Carrier Project and importance of expediting its completion, as "one of the Kingdom's most vital" projects, which contributes to desalination of the Gulf of Aqaba water and requires providing technical solutions for pumping water through the carrier's routes.

Discussions also went over the importance of establishing facilities to meet current and future demand for imported petroleum derivatives and liquefied petroleum gas.

This effort will contribute to reducing industrial production costs by using natural gas, enhancing "competitiveness" of Jordanian products domestically and internationally, and "positively" boosting job creation and expansion of the export base to new markets and products, Petra said.

Held as part of the framework of implementing the government's strategy, in cooperation with ASEZA, the meeting sought to fulfil obligations towards investors and achieve the Kingdom's vision to supply "major" investment projects with liquefied natural gas across various sectors.

AMMAN — Statistical data from the Jordanian Logistics Association (JLA) has shown that the number of containers loaded with imported goods via the Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) increased during the first third of the current year by 22.5 per cent, compared with the same period in 2024.

The statistical data, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Wednesday, showed that the number of incoming containers via the ACT during the first four months of 2025 rose to 149,178 containers, compared with 121,843 for the same period last year.

The data also pointed to an increase in the number of containers loaded with goods exported from the Kingdom via the ACT during the January-April period of this year by 12.8 per cent, reaching 33,575 containers, compared with the same period in 2024 that witnessed 29,764 containers.

The data showed an increase in the number of incoming containers via the ACT during April of the current year by 15.9 per cent, reaching 39,557 containers, compared with 34,135 containers in the same month of 2024.

The JLA statistics also showed an increase in the number of containers exported via the ACT during April of this year by 13.8 per cent, rising to 7,882 containers, compared with 6,928 containers in the same month last year.

JLA President Nabil Khatib told Petra that there has been a “clear and notable” improvement in the number of containers arriving and departing through the ACT since the beginning of 2025, compared with the same period last year, particularly those loaded with goods bound for Syria and the West Bank.

Khatib, who also serves as the first vice president of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, added that the return of ACT to its previous level of activity seen in earlier years would positively reflect on the momentum of commercial and service activity and various economic sectors in the Kingdom.

The association was established in 2007 with the aim of representing workers in the shipping industry in Jordan, providing a competitive environment, protecting those working in the freight forwarding profession, and developing work systems for freight forwarders and logistics service providers.

JLA maintains membership in the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), which was established in 1926 in Vienna and is a non-governmental organisation.

AMMAN — Jordan's national exports rose by 8.1 per cent by the end of February 2025, reaching JD1.309 billion compared with JD1.211 billion during the same period last year, according to the monthly report issued on Wednesday by the Department of Statistics.

The report also showed that the total exports grew by 9.1 per cent to JD1.449 billion, up from JD1.323 billion in the first two months of 2024, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

Re-exports also saw a “notable” increase of 19.7 per cent to JD140 million, compared with JD117 million for the same period last year.

The value of imports increased by 7.9 per cent, reaching JD3.065 billion, up from JD2.840 billion year-on-year.

As a result, the Kingdom’s trade balance deficit, the difference between imports and total exports, widened by 6.9 per cent to JD1.616 billion, compared with JD1.512 billion in the same period of 2024.

The export coverage ratio remained steady at 47 per cent.

In February alone, total exports reached JD747 million, comprising JD675 million in national exports and JD72 million in re-exports.

Imports stood at JD1.442 billion, resulting in a monthly trade deficit of JD695 million.

Compared with February 2024, total exports in 2025’s February rose by 18 per cent, with national exports increasing by 17.8 per cent and re-exports by 20 per cent.

Imports declined by 5.3 per cent, leading to a 21.8 per cent drop in the monthly trade deficit.

The export coverage ratio for imports improved “significantly” in February, reaching 52 per cent, up from 42 per cent during the same month of 2024, a 10-percentage-point increase.

LONDON — Stock markets diverged and the dollar rose on Wednesday as investors awaited an upcoming interest rate decision by the US Federal Reserve and looming trade talks between China and the United States.

Chinese indices closed higher thanks to Beijing's fresh measures to kickstart China's struggling economy, helping offset the fallout from US tariffs.

Over in Europe, London, Paris and Frankfurt dropped in midday trading.

Against a backdrop of India and Pakistan exchanging heavy artillery fire along the contested border, Karachi's stock index sank more than six per cent at the open before recovering to a loss of three per cent. India's Sensex was flat.

"The main highlight today will be the Fed's latest policy decision," noted Deutsche Bank managing director Jim Reid.

The Federal Reserve is expected to again hold interest rates steady on Wednesday, in its first policy decision since US President Donald Trump in April unveiled sweeping tariffs on trading partners.

Traders will be "watching out for commentary from (Fed chief Jerome) Powell over the direction of travel for rates in the face of economic uncertainty," said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets.

In Asia, there was optimism following news that top representatives from China and the US will on the weekend hold their first negotiations since Trump's tariffs shook global markets.

Hong Kong edged up 0.1 per cent and Shanghai rose 0.8 per cent Wednesday, bolstered also by Beijing's decision to lower a key interest rate and the amount of cash banks need to hold in reserves.

Tokyo fell after it reopened from a public holiday in Japan.

China said that the upcoming talks on tariffs in Switzerland were being held at the United States' request, and vowed to defend "justice" and stand by its principles.

Trump has imposed tariffs totalling 145 per cent on goods from China, while Beijing retaliated with 125 per cent levies on US imports to China.

The talks bring "hopes there can be some de-escalation in the tit-for-tat tariffs between the two major economies," said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

India-Pakistan reaction

Amid India's clashes with neighbour Pakistan, the Indian rupee weakened around 0.5 per cent against the dollar, while the Pakistani rupee, traditionally extremely stable against the greenback, fell 0.1 per cent.

"Unlike routine sabre-rattling along the border -- which markets usually shrug off -- this escalation involves actual high-intensity military engagement, triggering a flight to safety," independent analyst Stephen Innes told AFP.

"Regional investors are de-risking fast, dumping local currencies in favour of havens like the US dollar, euro and yen."

New Delhi launched missile strikes on Pakistan, marking a major escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a deadly attack on the Indian-run side of Kashmir, which India blames on Pakistan.

Back in Europe, pharmaceutical stocks struggled after losses in the United States the previous day.

This followed the appointment of oncologist Vinay Prasad to a top post at the US Food and Drug Administration.

Prasad has been an outspoken critic of the agency's prior approach to Covid-19 vaccines and other key decisions.

In London, drugmakers GSK and AstraZeneca saw their shares drop by four per cent and two per cent respectively while Sanofi's shares slid more than three per cent in Paris.

Elsewhere, weight-loss drugmaker Novo Nordisk cut its annual sales forecasts on Wednesday, citing a decline in its US market share owing to competition from copycat drugs.

But shares in the Danish company jumped around five per cent in Copenhagen as it posted higher net profit and sales for the first quarter.

 Key figures at around 1045 GMT

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 per cent at 8,571.96 points

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 per cent at 7,651.17

Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.1 per cent at 23,226.92

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 per cent at 36,779.66 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 per cent at 22,691.88 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.8 per cent at 3,342.67 (close)

New York - Dow: DOWN 1.0 per cent at 40,829.00 (close)

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1368 from $1.1373 on Tuesday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3350 from $1.3370

Dollar/yen: UP at 143.25 yen from 142.44 yen

Euro/pound: UP at 85.16 pence from 85.04 pence

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.4 per cent at $62.38 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.6 per cent at $59.42 per barrel

AMMAN — The number of certificates of origin issued by the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) during the first third of 2025 for the export of goods to Arab and foreign countries rose by 19.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

According to statistical data obtained by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the number of certificates issued by the ACC during the first four months of 2025 reached 10,089, up from 8,440 during the same period last year.

Despite the increase in quantity, the total value of these certificates dropped by 9 per cent in the first four months of 2025 to JD394 million compared with JD433 million in the same period last year, the ACC statistical data showed.

Iraq topped the list of countries importing from Jordan in terms of value, with imports worth JD184 million across 1,038 certificates.

It was followed by Egypt with nearly JD29 million (246 certificates), Switzerland with JD26 million (eight certificates), Syria with JD24 million (1,889 certificates), and Saudi Arabia with JD22 million (1,583 certificates).

These five countries ranked highest in both value and volume.

As for the types of products exported during the January-April of 2025, foreign-origin products (re-exported goods) led the way at JD204 million, followed by industrial products at JD84 million, agricultural goods at JD41 million, and Arab-origin goods at JD28 million, with the rest attributed to other products.

The certificate of origin is an international trade document that certifies that goods in a specific shipment were wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country.

Customs authorities use it to determine the eligibility of goods for import duties and trade regulations.

ACC issues certificates of origin for Jordanian agricultural, animal, and raw natural products, as well as for foreign goods being re-exported or purchased locally under specific conditions.

It also issues certificates for Jordanian industrial products upon the exporter’s request, based on an original factory invoice endorsed by an industrial chamber, and a duly certified original certificate of origin confirming the Jordanian origin of the goods.

AMMAN — Director-General of the National Petroleum Company (NPC) Mohammed Khasawneh on Monday said that the company's 2025–2030 strategic plan aims to drill 145 gas wells and reach a total daily gas production of 418 million cubic feet.

During a visit by the Lower House’s Energy and Mineral Resources Committee to NPC, Khasawneh said that this gas production would contribute to reducing the energy bill across various sectors and support achieving self-sufficiency in natural gas, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He noted that the company’s plan is based on three key tracks: accelerating production by increasing the number of drilling rigs and expanding the gas processing plant; preparing technical and financial studies for the construction of a gas pipeline; and ensuring the availability of a consumer base for the produced gas.

The director-general also highlighted the importance of increasing production volumes from the Risha gas field and delivering natural gas to the industrial sector, given its role in reducing energy costs in this vital area.

Khasawneh reviewed the “notable” success achieved at the Risha gas field in recent times, thanks to the efforts of the company’s national workforce, referring to the size of the field, the equipment used in the drilling operations, and the contribution of the national staff working for the company.

Committee members, headed by MP Haitham Ziadin, were briefed on the current operations of NPC and its efforts in extracting natural gas from the Risha field.

Ziadin stressed the importance of exploring the Kingdom’s mineral wealth, particularly the Risha gas reserves, as a means of fulfilling the vision of relying on Jordanian gas, which would have a direct impact on boosting the national economy.

The lawmaker added that gas exploration at Risha would have a direct impact on various economic sectors, help reduce production costs for the industrial sector, create more jobs, and have a positive effect on citizens.

He noted that the Lower House would utilise all available means to support the role of the company in achieving further success in gas extraction, reiterating the importance of joint efforts among relevant entities to explore natural and mineral resources nationwide.

Talks during the meeting also addressed the importance of the company’s recent tender to drill gas wells at Risha on a lump-sum turnkey basis (LSTK), which includes drilling 80 wells over a three-year period to enhance the efficiency of drilling operations and increase the field’s production capacity.