Trade and Investment
Click on a project name to read more about it.
AMIR 2.0 Program
Achievement of Market Friendly Initiatives and Results Program (AMIR 2.0).
EJADA Program
Euro-Jordanian Action for the Development of Enterprise (EJADA).
Streamlining the processes of the One-Stop-Shop Directorate at the Jordan Investment Board
Al Jidara is currently carrying out a project which aims at assessing and analyzing the investment related processes used by the different government entities stationed at the One-Stop-Shop of JIB, and a next phase streamline those processes to simplify the registration and licensing of those processes for investors. The project also covers developing a plan for implementing the suggested improvements which specifies the implementation timeline and requirements and applying those recommendations in one of the investment sectors on a pilot basis.
Analysis of Economic and Commercial Policies
Researched and analyzed Jordan's economic and commercial policies in the context of the Stanford Research Institute’s Commercial Policy Matrix.
Analysis of SMEs Growth Constraints
Identified critical issues constraining the growth of the small and medium size (SMEs) businesses in Jordan.
Investment Promotion Strategy for Jordan’s Tourism Sector
Worked on developing a strategy for tourism-related investment promotion, based upon an analysis of Jordan’s competitive strengths and weaknesses. Following a definition of the desired outcomes of the strategy and an analysis of the market drivers in the local tourism sector, targeted investment opportunities were identified in three main areas (resort hotels, gulf market attractions, and historic/cultural/natural attractions). The principal focus of the strategy in each area was on product development.
Developing a Strategic Plan for JGATE
Developed a strategic plan for the Jordan Garments, Accessories & Textiles Exporter’s Association (JGATE).
Jordan Vision 2020 Investment Data Collection Effort (June 2004)
Analyzed and assessed data on direct investments in Jordan, and compiled the data in a report that sorted out investments in three areas in the country: National Customs Area, Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), and the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ’s).
Design, Development & Implementation of an MIS System
Provided technical assistance to the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Investor Services and MIS Directorates to support their effort to develop an electronic Enterprise Registration and Permitting System.
Trade & Investment Needs Assessment
Initiated trade and investment information needs assessment, in light of the requirements of a proposed Jordan Authority for Economic Development (JAED) and the Economic Studies Directorate at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
World Trade Organization (WTO) Accession
Assisted the Government of Jordan in fulfilling the various accession requirements to join the WTO and to ensure compliance.
Khadoury Technology Development Center
Identified and targeted potential developers / operators in the Middle East for the development of a Technology Development Center / IT park in the West Bank.
Assistance in Privatization Efforts
Assisted the Jordan Investment Corporation (JIC) in its privatization effort of the Ma’in Spa Complex.
Private Sector Development Training
Provided training during a month long Economic Management Training Program, with the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank in cooperation with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Arab Planning Institute. The objective was to transfer knowledge and best practices from regional and international experience in economic management to Arab policy makers for the purpose of enhanced economic policy formulation and implementation. The subject was Private Sector Development: Conditions for successful public enterprise and privatization and implementation of privatization programs.
Promotion of Sustainable Economic Growth
Identified policy reforms aimed at liberalizing restrictive trade and investment practices in Jordan.
Drafting of the Competition Law
Assisted the Jordanian Ministry of Industry and Trade in redrafting the national Competition Law.
Investment Targeting Strategy
Assisted the Investment Promotion Corporation of Jordan (now known as the Jordan Investment Board) to better target potential investors within the region. The study updated an investor targeting strategy by providing a better understanding of the investment environment, investment trends and investor profiles in potential regional markets and for certain sectors. It also assessed the need for promotional missions to promote Jordan as an investment destination in targeted markets and outlined their required logistics.
The Jordan-EU Association Agreement
As part of the “Europe Comes to Jordan” awareness campaign, a seminar was held to introduce the Jordan- EU Association Agreement, its implications and conditions to Jordanian businesses- largely to managers of SMEs, members of business associations, members of chambers of industry and commerce and some governmental institutions.
Demand Assessment for an Industrial Park
Conducted a comprehensive market research effort to estimate demand for an industrial estate with a Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) status in Aqaba, Jordan, and developed physical design guidelines based on the projected demand.
Inventory of Private Property for Enterprise Database
The development of an inventory of Private Properties for Enterprise constituted an important component within an Integrated Trade and Investment Information System, which was being created to cater for investors wishing to learn about such property. Aside from profiles on private industrial estates, the inventory included information on where the data was available from, frequency of its dissemination, update and publication.
Organizational Review of JIEC
Redrafted the Jordan Industrial Estates corporation (JIEC) Organizational Chart and Job Descriptions, in accordance with its future missions and objectives, to take account of relationships with other investment entities that are to be created, and JIEC’s anticipated strategic and marketing role.
Investment Promotion Sectoral Strategies
Worked with JIB to evaluate Jordan’s competitive position in three main sectors and developed a three-year inward investment promotion strategy for these sectors.
Developing Sectoral Marketing Strategies (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment)
Produced marketing strategies for foreign direct investment (FDI) promotion and facilitation to the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment sectors. Explained the dynamics, production, marketing, and processes involved in the selected sectors.
Investment promotion Sectoral Strategy: Methodology
Presented a detailed document of the methodology that is being used to develop the current series of investment promotion sectoral strategies for the JIB.
Investment Promotion Sectoral strategy: Garments
Assisted the Jordan Investment Board (JIB) in evaluating Jordan’s competitive position in the Garments sector and developed a three-year inward investment promotion sectoral strategy.
Sectoral Licensing Project-Project Conceptualization
Prepared a scoping study for a project which aims at reengineering the sectoral licensing processes in Jordan through the utilization of the business registration and licensing aspects of the new investment Law No. (68) for the year 2003 to improve Jordan’s enabling environment at the sectoral level.
SABEQ Program
Sustainable Achievement of Business Expansion and Quality (SABEQ) Program.
Booklet of Standardized Definition
Prepare a standardized SME definition that is appropriate for Jordan through researching the market of available SME definitions and comparing them to best practices and used definitions by internationally recognized institutions, reviewing countries-specific definitions, particularly those with similar economic and business structures to Jordan, analyzing the local SME sector to better understand the conditions under which it works and be more able to set reasonable criteria for the definition and preparing a booklet for SME definition.
Environmental Assessment of Jordan's Economy
Supporting the Ministry of Environment in the development of an operational, legal and institutional framework for the formulation and enhancement of the legal, institutional and operational plan for the Jordanian Environmental Protection Fund (JEPF).
Inventory Tourism Attractions
Provision of a detailed inventory analysis of all present and potential tourism attractions in the North of Jordan. This inventory analysis led to the selection of attractions that would receive SABEQ’s share of support to develop the tourist experience in the North and to integrate it into Jordan’s tourism hotspots.
Assessment of Karak Caslte as a Tourism Destination
Assessment of Karak Castle as a tourism destination through targeted tourist questionnaires. Approach based investigation on capturing the perceptions of tourists and identifying what they are seeking in terms of experience in Karak. This identified areas for potential improvement in order to provide a more fulfilling experience for Karak visitors.
Survey of the Needs of JOFIA's members
Assessment of Karak Castle as a tourism destination through targeted tourist questionnaires. Approach based investigation on capturing the perceptions of tourists and identifying what they are seeking in terms of experience in Karak. This identified areas for potential improvement in order to provide a more fulfilling experience for Karak visitors.
Jordan Valley Infrastructure Land Use Plan
Development of a detailed land use plan necessary for guiding sustainable land use within areas designated for municipal, industrial and tourism growth. The land use plans will use and draw upon the Jordan Valley Preliminary Land Use Master Plan project.
MoICT Economic Unit Infrastructure Services and Report
Continued on the development and assistance to the Economic Unit at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT) in Jordan. Report and design: matrix evaluation model, structuring main functions, interaction models and partnerships and the development of econometric models.
Investor Information System Maintenance
Population and regular maintenance of a comprehensive investor information system for SABEQ Program; comprising user-friendly documents and factual information on Jordan’s macroeconomic, socioeconomic, political, and legal environments, among other key indicators relevant to the investment decision making process. The system also includes sector-specific information on nine main promising sectors in Jordan, namely : Medical Services, Architecture and Engineering Services, Pharmaceuticals, Fruits and Vegetables, Higher Education, Research and Development, Tourism, Garment and Information and Communication Technology sectors.
Developing a business plan for JOFIA
Established and formulated a comprehensive business plan serving as a guiding tool for planning and forecasting Jordan Federation of Investments Association (JOFIA)’s operations and strategic direction for the next three years. The plan incorporated achievable goals and objectives while suggesting best strategies for targeted and effective advocacy.
Support Jordanian Handicraft Development
Following a comprehensive and detailed assessment of handicrafts being produced in Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun and Karak several marketing and strategic recommendations were developed followed by setting-up quality standards, ensuring consistency in manufacturing, supporting in the outsourcing of raw materials and ensuring product were showcased at the Centre. Work also included technical capacity building as an assistance in the production and marketing phases.
Association Proposal Capacity Building
Supporting three business associations in Irbid to develop their business ideas into well structured and planned proposal with clear sustainability structure. Work also included building the capacity of the selected business associations through training of trainers in each association. Associations were provided with templates and manuals on how to write a business proposal and how to develop a business and sustainability plans. Work also included identifying linkages between the selected associations and the private sector inside and outside the governorate.
Assessment of Ajloun Castle as Tourism Destination
Through field surveys, the assessment captured the perceptions of foreign visitors and identified their experiences when visiting Ajloun Castle. The assessment was done to aid any potential development in improving the touristic experience of visiting Ajloun Castle. The data and information gathered also serves as a baseline for future annual surveys.
Small Office Home Office Focus Group Sessions
Assessment of the small office / home office situation in Amman, achieved through two focus group sessions to generate information on the following: types of businesses that they run, conditions of work, number of employees recruited and the reasons for operating without licensing, and any other related information to the legal and operational process. Analysis and recommendations followed regarding the current situation and the desirability of authorizing home offices in Amman.
MoICT EU Infrastructure Services and Reports
Building on the analysis and reporting needs identified in the Charter and information needs analysis, three econometric models were devised to measure the size and impact of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Jordan. Industry-standard methodology was used to develop models, and specify data inputs and model parameters along with data outputs to describe the economic impact, as well as testing and refining of the models with actual data.
Provided methodologies and outlines for narrative reports summarizing data analysis and provided examples of practical analytical studies and policy briefs, which can be produced by the Economic Unit staff to support MoICT decision-making process by senior policy-makers.
Transferred economic modeling knowledge to the Economic Unit staff and developed their capacity to disseminate statistics appropriately and fully, and to maximize operational and strategic usage of the available statistics to achieve policy objectives through continued on-the-job-training for the Economic Unit researchers on modeling procedures.
Dairy sub-sector Jameed Product Development and Branding
As part of local economic development technical assistance, Al Jidara consultants worked on assisting a selected number of associations to upgrade their technical and production capabilities. This was done to assure that associations and their member producers will follow standardized quality measures to help increase annual production levels and sales. The analysis involved market intelligence on the supply market in Karak (women producers at home or in women association) and Amman. The market research conducted in Amman involved field visits and phone interviews with superstores, restaurants and smaller shops regarding their sources of Jameed, prices offered and profile of main clientele (local vs. Expatriats). Additionally a full diagnosis was conducted of the dairy sub-sector and Jameed product in Karak. An assessment was conducted on the requirements needed to sustain production levels of jameed and enhance its quality and the necessary equipment, training and marketing needs of associations under each unit in order to fulfill the minimum standards required to produce quality product. An integrated business model was devised merging all business units with a unified quality for packaging and marketing in order to increase production levels and sales.
Associations Capacity Building for Business Plan Development (Tomato & Citrus)
Development of a 10 year feasibility study and business plan for a Grading and Packing Facility in Ghour Safi area including marketing, technical, financial and managerial aspects. The project involves coordination with, and capacity building of stakeholders, in the Ghour Safi region and identification of the current and projected interaction mechanisms between the farmers, exporters and the Grading Facility Management.
Assessment of Current Pricing Policy on Pharma Sector
Assistance to JAPM in achieving the following assessments and reviews:
- Understanding the legal framework of the pricing regulation.
- Reviewing the current pricing policy/practices and assessing its impact on the sector’s profitability and competitiveness.
- Assessing the impact of current pricing policy/practices on the Jordanian economy.
- Reviewing the implications of having higher prices for imported generics vs. local generics.
- Reviewing the current price increase approval process and recommending an improved institutionalized mechanism for price increase requests as required.
This was followed by a detailed reporting on following: current situation regarding pricing, and data collected on (10) products for further economic analysis, report on current prices policies, and regional legal systems and the drafting of a scope for the next phase of the projects, in order start the process implementing the set tasks.
Economic Baseline Update
Update the Governorates of Karak and Irbid regional baseline reports including updating their basic and generic economic and demographic indicators. Moreover, targeted economic data is collected on the priority sectors in both governorates such as agricultural, tourism, light manufacturing and industrial sectors to enable focused sectoral interventions targeting the areas with highest potential.
Developing Business Plans for Enterprises Development
Supported three associations in Karak to develop business plans for the associations projects; build the internal capacity of the associations' personnel in the area of developing and updating Business Plans for future projects; in addition to enhance their financial sustainability in terms of increasing their revenues, and creating successful business models in the Karak region.
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