Industrialists lament huge losses due to closure of Iraq border

AMMAN – The border closure between Jordan and Iraq has caused Jordanian manufacturers losses estimated at hundreds of millions, according to Director General of the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) Maher Mahrouq. 

Mahrouq told The Jordan Times Wednesday that the 7.3 per cent drop in the value of national exports to JD3.6 billion in the first three quarters of this year from around JD3.9 billion registered in the same period of last year was mainly due to the closure of the border crossing between the Kingdom and  trouble-hit Iraq. 

He indicated that part of the drop in the value of exports was also attributed to the ongoing trouble in Syria.

Mahrouq also noted that closure of the Iraqi market may have been positive for local manufacturers, which experienced higher sales in the domestic market, adding that industrial production went up by 2 per cent in November. 

Authorities in Baghdad decided to close the entry at  the Turaibil/Karameh border crossing between Jordan and Iraq in mid-July until further notice due to security troubles in Anbar province, where government forces are fighting  the Daesh terror group. 

Sector representatives say the Iraqi market used to absorb around 20 per cent of Jordan’s exports. 

The JCI director said Iraq used to be the main market for products made in Jordan, adding that the industrial sector is currently working to penetrate new markets outside the region. 

He cited African markets as an option with “great potential” for Jordanian industrialists, urging the government to “boost Jordan’s diplomatic representation in the continent”. 

“Jordan has always been ahead of regional competitors in terms of new business ideas but we always lag behind when it comes to implementation,” he added. 

Mahrouq said there would be cooperation with local and foreign development partners to study the outlook for entering the African markets.